#134 I just really like a good sponge
Adventure. Prizes. Smiles. Sparks.
2 OCTOBER 2024
Hello, dear readers.
Welcome back to Pretend Post and thanks for all the compliments and well-wishes on the new look.
Today is Laura’s birthday; my fierce, profound and profoundly beautiful partner. And to celebrate we’re on our way to Ireland for the gentle joy of the Gather improv festival.
We’ve decided to take the ferry across, so that’s about a thousand mile round trip.
Adventure!
Rule of three
[Competition time] The Pretend prize drawer
Writer Brian K Vaughn maintains a drawer full of odds and ends, bric-a-brac and other ephemera from his storied career and routinely gives out a random selection of this toot to his loyal readers as prizes. I’ve decided to emulate this delightful practice. So, for a chance to win a selection from the newly inaugurated Pretend prize drawer, send me your favourite improv edit technique (the sillier the better). Winners will be chosen at random by loyal improv hound, Radio Harold Mead. Ts and Cs apply (I don’t know what this means but it sounds official).
[Washing-up] Scrub Daddy
Look, I know this is the most boring thing I’ve ever recommended but think of it this way - there are some things we use every day, and they are so cheap and ubiquitous that we don’t even notice they are barely functional. And all that routine and repetitive low-level negativity can build up over time into a dangerous funk. So, for example, if you replace all your flimsy, bacteria-ridden washing-up sponges with Scrub Daddies (great quality, effective, in the shape of a smiley face) then every day is suddenly just a little bit better, easier and more enjoyable. It’s a small difference but it adds up.
Note: This is not a paid promotional post for Scrub Daddy. I’m reading it back and it definitely sounds like one but ask yourself this, what would have had to go fundamentally wrong for the Scrub Daddy marketing department to entrust their precious ROI to a tiny UK-based improv newsletter? Exactly. I just really like a good sponge.
[Comic] Jenny Sparks
I’ve always loved the character of Jenny Sparks, the spirit of the twentieth century personified in the form of a pissed-off, chain-smoking twenty-something in a union jack tank top. Her role is to make sure superheroes don’t get out of line, and now she’s part of the DC universe it’s a lot of fun to see her flirting with Batman and casually emasculating Clark Kent. Also she has cool electricity powers and can travel down phone lines. Sold!
Spotlight
There’s still time to apply for my five day intensive with the good people of Improtheater Karlsruhe in January 2025. We’ll be looking at playing ghosts, relationship-based scene work and dressing up in silly costumes. We’re trying an application-based process, so you’ll need to apply before Halloween if you’re keen. See you thereeeeeeeeeeeeee (spooky voice)!
Radio contact
Radio was very excited to meet Roy in real life.
My favorite edit is suddenly walking out of a scene. I love it even more because I only feel comfortable doing that bold of an edit when I'm with someone I really, really enjoy being mischievous with.