#110 Often accompanied by cellos
Munich. Masterclass. Melody. Marilyn. Mockumentary.
Issue #110 Often accompanied by cellos
17th April 2024
Hello to you on this glorious day!
As this newsletter is sent, I'll be on the plane to Munich where I'll be representing England (along with the exceptionally talented Ali James & John Oakes) against 17 other countries in the Impro Theater European Masters.
We'll spend a week playing shows, teaching workshops and generally trying to make each other laugh.
Our very first match is against our illustrious hosts, Germany.
Wish us luck!
Rule of three
[Podcast] The Wisdom of Chicago Improv with Liz Allen
I've recommended Mike Birbiglia's podcast, Working it Out, before but this week he has improv legend Liz Allen on the show. She talks so compellingly about improv, specifically the kind of improv I adore (makes you cry, often accompanied by cellos). She even mentions a show we recently performed in London as a magical improv memory. This episode is so instructive and inspiring, it's basically an audio masterclass in the art form.
[Music] Soldier, Poet, King
This is a beautifully simple folk song by The Oh Hellos with a great melodic hook. It plays under every Tiktok video ever filmed at a Ren Faire. There's also this cover version that is billed as 50% more medieval. It makes me very happy.
[Documentary] Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God
In direct contrast, this documentary about a McDonald's manager who proclaimed herself the living reincarnation of Jesus, Cleopatra and Marilyn Monroe DID NOT make me happy. But it did absolutely fascinate me. Not for the faint hearted, its strength lies in the fact that, as a modern cult, the group engaged in daily livestreams, so much of the sensational footage is first hand.
Spotlight
As the discount is still live, I want to spotlight my Mockumentary NOW! intensive in Bristol again. It's a great chance to work with a small focussed team on a single show idea for a whole FIVE DAYS. The documentary format is a real joy to perform, full of relationships and big funny set pieces.
We're running it 13th-17th August 2024 and you can read more about it (and grab your ticket) on the BIT's website.
And for READERS OF THIS NEWSLETTER ONLY - you get a 10% discount before 30th April with the code MOCKUMENTARY-10.
Longform thoughts
How can an improviser deal with another improviser who doesn’t recognise their own privilege and its effects on others? ... Who steps forward confidently with their idea on stage, assuming they can hold the space and that it’s theirs, and it never occurs to them to leave space for people who may have ideas but who aren’t as assertive or feel more powerless.
I didn't feel I was the best person to answer this week's question. So I asked a few wildly talented friends. Find out what they had to say about power dynamics in improv. This one's pretty special.
Radio contact
I'm an uncle again. And Radio has a new fuzzin. Welcome to the world Charlotte Laura.