#160 Smartly repackaged
Queens. Givers. Office workers. Players.
2 APRIL 2025
Hello.
There’s blue skies over Berlin today and I’m having a blast creating new shows with improv friends old and new.
I’m your humble improv newsletter writer, Chris Mead, and these are my recommendations.
Rule of three
[Improv] Dungeons & Drag Queens
I was waiting in the audience of Shamilton (the brilliant improvised musical from Baby Wants Candy) and noticed how young everyone around me was. Talking to a very nice couple next to me, it turned out that most people were there because of Dropout TV. I’d heard of the service (an evolution of the old College Humor site) but hadn’t checked it out myself. It turns out almost every show on there is powered by improv and improvisers. And it seems like these shows are becoming the improv touchstone that Whose Line is it Anyway? was for my generation. I’ve now got a subscription and I’m so impressed with the evolution of the art form. It’s improv, absolutely and without question, but smartly repackaged into game shows and tabletop RPG formats. Case in point, Dungeons & Drag Queens, a pitch perfect D&D game with a group of Questing Queens learning how to play as they go. It’s witty, heart-warming, beautifully DM-ed by Brennan Lee Mulligan (who is so good he deserves a Rule of Three entry in his own right) and the queens are the perfect mix of cynical and enthusiastic as they are slowly won over by the story and game mechanics. Cannot recommend highly enough.
[Music] The Giver
Chappell Roan has written an incredibly catchy and iconic song about how she, Chappell Roan, is way better at pleasing women than any man would be. And you know what, who am I to argue with her? If this is an early indication of the direction of the new album then I am very excited and pleased. Much like a woman who hooks up with Chappell Roan.
[Article] An Oral History of The US Office
I love these oral history articles where artists who created a thing, talk about the thing and how hard it was to create it. This article on the difficult first season of the US Office is a great example - it’s just so much fun to be taken behind the curtain.
Spotlight
I’m relaunching Pretend Night at Theatre Deli in Leadenhall Street on Friday 18th April.
The night is split into two distinct sections.
Pretend Academy - 6pm
A 2-hour skill-raising workshop for experienced improvisers. It’ll be a small group, minimal warm-ups and loads of opportunities for scene work and feedback. Recommended for people who have gone through all levels of training at their respective improv school and want to super-charge their theatrical improv game. Click here for tickets.
Pretend Night - doors open 8pm
A night of theatrical improv from some of the best improvisers in London and beyond. This month we have the blissfully talented duos - Dudes and Jennifer & Emily as well as a longer theatrical format performed by an array of veterans. Read about them in more detail here.
Just a quick plea from me to come if you have the availability. I’m really trying to highlight the very best in slower, more grounded, improv comedy and as a new night, I know we’re going to struggle until we can prove just how good we are. So please spread the word far and wide.
Movement for change
As I continue my movement practitioner journey, I’m amazed at just how many exercises are common to both natural movement AND improv.
Check out Negative Space as a really great example.
Radio contact
Content.
I love your insights on the evolution of improv, especially with shows like Dungeons & Drag Queens. It’s fascinating how improv can blend with different formats to create something fresh and engaging. Speaking of personal experiences, I remember taking the rice purity test during college, which sparked some hilarious improv moments among friends.