#174 Ahoy!
Dream. Sky. Show. Gravy. Boats.
9 JULY 2025
Ahoy!
I’m saying Ahoy! because I’m on a boat.
A narrow boat.
With my whole family - mum, dad, sister, nibblings, as well as Laura and Radio. I haven’t had a holiday on the canals since I was a teenager.
I hope I’m having fun. I bet I am but I can’t be 100% sure at this stage because I’m writing this before we leave.
(there’s no WiFi on a narrow boat)
Rule of three
[Movie] K-Pop Demon Hunters
The songs are catchy, the animation is Spider-verse exceptional and the action sequences are as good as the dance sequences. I loved K-Pop Demon Hunters despite having no real experience with the genre beforehand. But I was always going to enjoy a film about a trio of pop stars who secretly fight demon hordes between stadium gigs. Happy to see so many Korean creatives involved in a Western studio animation too. This article breaks down some of the traditional elements that went completely over my head on first viewing.
[TV] Ironheart
Weirdly, the second thing I’ve seen this week where demonic connection causes patterns to spread across a character’s body. I wanted to include Ironheart because a) it’s very enjoyable and b) it immediately got review bombed by idiots due to its star being a woman of colour. Really hate how toxic so many fandoms have become. But the simple antidote to all of that is this - just make a great show with depth, humour and a cool mech suit.
[RPGs] Roll big or go home bundle
I’ve always loved table top role playing games and this particular Humble Bundle is incredible value. Nearly 60 systems for under £30. Avatar: The Last Airbender, Transformers, Cyberpunk, The Witcher, Doctor Who, Call of Cthulhu, Spire. If you’ve ever wondered whether TTRPGs are for you - there’s going to be something in here you’ll enjoy.
Spotlight
I’m still buzzing from a particularly special show at The Miller last weekend. Liam Webber, Emily Murphy and I took to the Hoopla stage as The Pretend Company and it was such a joyous, stupid-smart show that seemed to connect wonderfully with our audience. So pleased that our mission to put relationship-led improv on UK stages is going so well.
And thanks also to everyone who applied to join our Improv Actor Training programme. Forms officially closed yesterday (8th July), but for newsletter readers we’re giving you another 24 hours, so get your applications in today.
This Saturday 12th July, I’m back at Hoopla with our glorious improvised Shakespeare trio, The Play’s The Thing. This is the last time you can see the show until September (as we go back into an intensive period of R&D) so please come and support us if you have a spare evening.
Longform thoughts
I would do anything for her and she me. Eyes closed heads together. Life streaming by in a haze. Knowing eyes will open muscles bunch and off we’ll fly. Tilting through corridors scrambling beneath and through and beyond.
I was asked to contribute to this zine where you write a short story based on a old photograph of a dog. This is my contribution Gravy Boat. Find New Stories for Old Dogs on Etsy soon (with contributions from other great improvisers).
Radio contact
The perfect day - Radio and a whole new season of The Bear.