XXII - Out of the Sherwood Forest
Reflecting on a busy month of international events, pivotal moments at the Robin Hood Improv Festival, and gearing up for a fresh academic year of storytelling!
Greetings, dear readers. I can’t believe that in one month time I was able to set foot in four countries, chaining event after event, through many planes, trains and automobiles. I met new faces, had new experiences. I was embraced by many mountains, rivers, lakes, and skies. I taught, I learned, I performed, I succedded, I failed, I celebrated, I got frustrated, I sang, I danced. I lived.
And, suddenly, it’s September. The third act of 2025 just opened the curtains and I set myself for a bit of normalcy in London. I’m facing a new school year with many sessions booked just this month, this week. Time to remove the dust off of my storytelling persona and apply some of the last month’s experience to my performances.
🧠 The Improv bit is the main bit this week 😀
I just came back from the Robin Hood International Improv Festival. I had the chance to be on a musical ensemble the first night, on a format called All Radio Request, directed by the Canadian actor and improviser Velvet Wells. Despite not being the narrative form I’m used to, I had a lot of fun getting together and singing with old and new friends. Definitely one of the highlights of the festival for me. I also participated in the closing act with the Everytimers and it was as chaotic as delightful.
Sticking with the highlights, the most important definitely was a statement that was made, during the fourth night of the festival, by the group Arabian Nights Live after their show The Bazaar. Please, take a few minutes to see it by yourself.
You must be thinking “Ugh, Ferran, you’re getting political again!” Well, I had plenty of political conversations during this festival. Because, how louder it needs to get outside before we raise our heads? The world is not precisely peachy right now and we’re immersed in the biggest humanitarian crisis of the century. The silence of the improv community is starting to get cringey and more voices are starting to rise. I’ve heard concerns though, on the cost of speaking out due the privileged and powerful position of oppressing forces. If you are running an improv related business, you might get heat if you say certain things. Hopefully common sense will prevail and we all land on the same page.
OK, switching politics mode off. I enjoyed the connections and reconnections during the festival. I was very happy to meet again with the friends from Barcelona Improv Group, which I haven’t met since before moving to the UK. I also got the chance to meet, unknown to me, London based improvisers, hoping to stumble upon each other more.
I also was inspired by some of the shows I saw on the stage. I’m really itching to do more dramatic / theatrical improv (if you’re interested, and near me, let me know). I’m starting to think that I only go to festivals to see unusual shows, shows that really put the art in art form.
I admire how Lloydie James and Liam Webber have been able to pull a festival that oozes professionalism year after year. Congratulations.
🪑 The Playback Theatre microbit
Althought I had conversations about playback theatre, it’s been out of my head this past week. This week I’ll touch base with London Playback and True Heart Theatre to face the new season.
On other news, over the weekend I got an interesting offer to deliver an intensive abroad next year. Don’t want to say anything to not jinx it, but I’m happy that the work that I’ve been doing lately is raising heads towards me.
📆 What is coming up
12th of September - Acaprov (London, UK). Get your tickets for the upcoming Acaprov show, where we will do improv and maybe sing. 😛 Secure your seats.
21st of September - Acaprov (London, UK). We have a gig in a hotel! Join us at Hart Hotel in Shoreditch for an extra musical next month. Get your tickets.
2nd to 5th of October - European Playback Theatre Gathering (Salamanca, Spain). My country is hosting this international event filled with workshops and performances. See you there? Come check it out.
✨ That’s all folks ✨
Thanks for reading Playing Back an Improvised Life, a newsletter by Ferran Luengo.
If you like it, spread the voice and share with someone who you think might enjoy it.
If you want to keep in touch, feel free to follow me on instagram (@luenkun).
Want to work with me or start a conversation? email me 😀
Want to support me? You can do it through my Ko-fi page
Ferran Luengo