#153 Rent-a-thug-of-the-week
Outshoot. Outfight. Outthink.
12 FEBRUARY 2025
Hello.
I write this a matter of hours after The Play’s The Thing performed our first ever show in front of an audience.
Trying to improvise Shakespeare, the dynamics of working in a trio, balancing truth and comedy - I’ve already learned so much from the experience. As Ali said, as we hovered furtively by the bar, ready to go on stage:
I think there’s some magic in this show.
And so it proved to be.
I can’t wait for people to see it - this year, we’ll be performing in and around London (including at a couple of Pretend Nights) as well as taking it on tour to a trio of international festivals. Keep your eye on this newsletter for more information VERY soon.
And now, this ...
Rule of three
[Newsletter] Five Things on Friday
Always good to find another newsletter with tastes that mirror your own. This was actually brought to my attention after James covered Tony Slattery’s tragically early passing in January of this year. After I read the piece, I found myself scrolling through the rest of the email, and to my great delight it was all fascinating. So it you like my recommendations, I think you’ll love his too. Thanks to my old school pal, Chris Lewis, for sharing.
[Podcast] Origin Story: Doctor Who
In a historical editorial move, I’m allowing myself to re-recommend creators in the pages of the Pretend Post if they make something new I connect with. Origin Story is an incredible podcast about the people and concepts that shape modern political discourse. And they just did an episode on Doctor Who. But instead of reviewing it like a TV critic or fan would, they’re looking at it through the lens of its politics, values and place in society. It made my heart soar to hear this programme that sits at the very centre of my soul lauded for its commitment to always changing, always thinking, always championing progress ...
[TV] Banshee
In deep and direct contrast, Banshee is a TV show about the lowest, grimiest corners of the human condition. Dan Owen described it as a scuzzy, B-movie version of Justified which I totally get. But where as Timmy Oly’s Raylan Givens can outshoot, outfight and outthink any unfortunate rent-a-thug-of-the-week he finds himself confronting, Antony Starr’s unnamed ex-con-turned-sheriff has to rely on resolutely getting back up every time he is punched in the teeth/ balls/ nipples. It’s so inappropriate and offensive, you’d think I’d hate it but, friends, I’m obsessed. Every time an episode ends, Loz and I look at each other and go JUST ONE MORE? This is the greatest compliment we can bestow on a TV series. I hope you enjoy this anti-recommendation.
Spotlight
The response to the Inbal Lori and Tim Orr workshops has been incredible. Inbal’s class sold out within days and Tim has just a handful of tickets left.
Inbal has agree to teach another 6 hour workshop on Thursday 27th May (if there’s enough interest) - the theme this time would be ... Time itself.
Improvisation – like any other story telling art – uses the element of time, and does with it a variety of cool things.
It allows us to jump from one time to another,
to be in two different times simultaneously,
to slow or fast-forward reality,
to jump from the past to the future and much more!This intensive workshop will take us from being totally present in the moment to time-traveling in an epic, fast and funny way, with cinematic and theatrical qualities.
I’ve set up an I’M INTERESTED list on the ticket page. Just click Buy tickets on the right and there’ll be a space to put your email. Can I cheekily ask that you only sign up if you’re serious about buying a ticket? I’m trying to gauge whether there’s enough interest for another workshop (although I’m pretty sure there is). People on the email list will be contacted before I put it out in the newsletter.
THANKS!
Radio contact
The view from my pillow.