#105 Poignancy relief
Electricity. Mockumentary. Belting. Desire paths.
Issue #105 Poignancy relief
13th March 2024
Hello.
I've just spent two days learning from improv legend Liz Allen and can still feel the electricity crackling through my body. It was a joy to spend time with such a knowledgable and kind facilitator. Not to mention the fact the room was full of brilliant improvisers who mean the world to me. I was in improv heaven.
I'm very excited for those of you taking a class with Liz in the next few days. And if you're on those courses and you haven't heard from me, please let me know as I've sent the details to you in an email but am still having deliverability issues.
In other news, the indomitable Lucy Trodd has written about her IMPRO Amsterdam experiences on her blog, and I think it paints an absolutely wonderful picture of artistic freedom and found community.
Have a great week. And I hope these recommendations help.
Rule of three
[Improv] The Improvised Movie
During the aforementioned IMPRO Amsterdam, I was lucky enough to cameo in a very funny mockumentary made by some of the participants. The whole thing is here (and you can see my scene with the prodigiously talented Erica Maity here). I got the brilliant bit of feedback You're not the comedy relief, you're the poignancy relief.
[Musicals] Four Elphabas
Look, I know I give the impression of being a cool guy. But I'm absolutely not cool in any way. So here's FOUR ELPHABAS singing Defying Gravity in beautiful harmony. And FOUR GLINDAS for good measure.
[Book] How We Are
Loved this book from Vincent Deary about living in comfortable ruts and how to make change happen. I'm inspired by his thoughts on desire paths across the human heart. His prose is so beautifully wrought that I insisted on reading the whole first chapter out loud to Laura on the sofa.
Spotlight
Liz Allen's solo show, Tonight I Am My Mother comes to London for one night only this Saturday 16th March. And if that wasn't enough, she'll be supported by a group of very experienced improvisers (and also me). We'll be trying something new and a little outside our comfort zones. You can get tickets here.
Longform thoughts
Editing As a British person, I feel awful about interrupting other people when they are talking. Consequently, I let improv scenes go on indefinitely.
I was born both British AND an improviser. Read how I manage to stand astride both halves of my identity in Culture clash.
Radio contact
Radio is beach-ready.