#120 A charming sense of chaotic frivolity

Flock. Fiendish Frivolity. Physical Form Factors. Friday.

Issue #120 A charming sense of chaotic frivolity

26th June 2024

Hey, gang.

And thank you to everyone in the UK who took the time to let me know that no, I didn’t manage to get last week’s edition out before midnight. 🤣

But that was the past, friends, and this is the future. Or more accurately the present. And as you read this, I’ll be winging my way to the Flock Festival in Amsterdam for just about the most exciting line-up of improv shows that I can possibly imagine.

I’m talking history, post-apocalyptic trains, time-displaced cults and 17th century French farce. But improvised.

What a time to be alive and making things up!

Rule of three

[Game] The Password Game
My nephew introduced me to this online masterpiece and I think it’s a perfect example of heightening the game to a ridiculous and profound degree.

[Song] Quality Pints
Heard this on BBC 6 Music and became obsessed. It has such a charming sense of chaotic frivolity. Our favourite bit is the background singer who can never quite get the timing of the refrain.

[Magazine] MUBI’s Notebook
I love magazines about cinema (Little White Lies always and forever being the stand out example). But this relative newcomer from art house streaming platform MUBI is nothing short of beautiful. I mention it this week because they are preparing to release issue 5 imminently. Their distribution model is also worthy of note - subscription only, very few back issues and no digital version. You have to hold it in your hands.

It makes you wonder what a physical improv magazine might look like?

Spotlight

Please do come and see us at the Flock Festival if you’re in the Netherlands - love how they’re championing a space for theatrical and thoughtful longform.

And if you’re not doing anything on Friday, come and see Jennifer Jordan take on the role of Guybrush Threepwood as she faces the puzzle-loving buccaneers of the good ship Mighty Pirates.

Longform thoughts

The improv community has always been a place of immense kindness for me and whilst we might like or loathe a Harold; do a great show or struggle with a show; play with strong initiations or prefer a slow-burn; we always get to be kind.

Still obsessed with this question from Tanja: Has there been something not-improv related literature/courses/ideologies, that has affected greatly your thinking of improv? What was it?

This week, I’ve curated a list of answers from readers and other improv chums. Non-improv things (community edition).

Radio contact

Not a fan of the heat. Me neither, Radio.