#164 Prima ballerina in combat boots
Danseurs. Voitures moches. Diseurs de vérité.
30 APRIL 2025
Oh, but I’m tired!
Since we last met, I’ve driven up to Liverpool, rehearsed a new format for two days, performed that format (the brilliant Taxi Tales with director Mark Smith), then immediately turned around to drive back down to Farnham, arriving at 3am, got back up at 8 am and taught two classes for Hoopla, taken the train to the Southend 48 hour Improvathon, performed as a magic painting for 8 hours, directed the ‘thon for a further 8 hours, taught a Beginners class in London, then a Create Your Own Show class in Farnham and now I’m on my way back to London to do improvised David Mamet.
I also mowed the lawn and did my back in. Yes, after throwing myself around the stage for the best part of a week, it was a blade of grass that got me.
None of this is meant as a complaint. I can’t believe how wonderful it all is. Well, except maybe the back thing.
Rule of three
[TV] Étoile
I’m being impulsive. I’ve only seen the first episode but I’m already OVERJOYED. Cards on the table, I’m a huge Amy Sherman-Palladino fan - I simply thrill to her dialogue, her rhythms, her beautiful, sprawling, unrealistic worlds. Who doesn’t love an eco-warrior prima ballerina in combat boots? Other people will hate it but this isn’t their newsletter.
[Cars] Dunking on the Cybertruck
A journalist rents a Cybertruck and drives it around Washington, D.C. for the day. It goes ... badly. Even if you just read the first paragraph it’ll bring a smile to your face.
[Legend] Jameela Jamil
Jameela Jamil is incredible. She’s outspoken and passionate and brilliant - and she swings between tackling issues of real societal concern - body image, feminism, mental health - and the most salacious, goofy silliness you can possibly imagine. Two great places to start - this podcast with David Tennant and her newsletter A Low Desire to Please.
READERS OFFER: First five readers to email me and ask nicely will receive 30 days free access to A Low Desire to Please. Never say I don’t give (five of) you anything!
Spotlight
This week, I want to put the spotlight back on The Play’s The Thing - my new improvised Shakespeare trio with John Oakes and Ali James.
The show is still cooking, we remain very much in R&D mode, but friends, there’s something special going on. An almost undefinable magic that the three of us can’t wait to share. Come and see us now, whilst we’re still in the dreamy possibility space of what-might-be. You certainly have a few chances over the next few weeks.
1st May | Hoopla, London
6th May | Up the Road, Southend-on-Sea
8th May | Welcome Festival, Rome
18th May | Pretend Night, Farnham
21st May | Pretend Night, London
Please come and support us for one of those nights, if you can. Particularly that first Hoopla gig (tomorrow?) as we have currently only sold one ticket. THEATRE!
Finally, if you come out to Farnham on 18th May - Ali and John will be teaching a five hour workshop on stage craft and theatrical presence called Claim the Stage. I did a version of this session in Munich with them and can honestly say it’s a real masterclass in stage dynamics and finding confidence in performance. BONUS, if you buy a ticket to the class, you get the performance in the evening for free.
Longform thoughts
I don’t want The Pretend Company to be a one man band anymore. I want a partner to bounce ideas off and hold me accountable. I have such a clear idea where I want to take Pretend but I need someone else to help make that happen - someone with a thousand ideas of their own.
I’m excited to share some really big news about a new direction for The Pretend Company. If you’re at all interested in what comes next, read The future of Pretend.
Movement for change
This week, I want to talk more about one of the five key movement capabilities I’m starting to build up - what my mentor Ben has affectionately named Ape Shoulders. This is the path towards pull-ups and onwards to swinging through the trees. And the very first step, one that most people can have a go at almost immediately, is the passive hang.
Radio contact
Radio went to the marathon this week to support the runners.