#180 A mech suit filled with water
Mermaid. Detective. Wizard. Bard.
13 AUGUST 2025
Hello, team.
Well, we did it. The three of us (Ali, Liam and me) put on the first iteration of our new improv actor training programme. A whole weekend of deep exploration with ten wonderful improvisers, here in Farnham.
An event we called PRETEND WEEKEND.
I was more nervous going in than I’ve been in recent memory. It felt different presenting something we’d thought about so hard and planned so thoroughly. Something that felt deeply personal and that expected a great deal of its participants.
But I needn’t of worried. The results were incredible. Everyone rose to the challenge and then just ... kept rising. Both days were absolutely stuffed with magical scene work and real improv discovery.
All this to say. I think we’re on to something.
Rule of three
[Comic] The Last Mermaid
The last mermaid in existence explores a desolate post-apocalyptic wasteland in a mech suit filled with water. Like a fish in a tank (both kinds of tank) every few weeks her water toxicity rises to a point where she has to replace it. And fresh water is in short supply. The only thing that keeps her going is a half-remembered story of a place she’s never been. A place called OCEAN.
[TV] The Residence
I have no idea how I missed this when it came out on Netflix. It’s a murder mystery set in the White House but that’s just blah blah blah. What makes it special is a) the way its filmed, with a Wes Anderson-esque flair for detail and eccentricity and b) because of a central performance from Uzo Aduba as the detective that is monumentally fun, layered, smart and compassionate.
[Comedy] Marc Maron
I must confess that I’ve always felt Marc Maron was not for me. He probably still isn’t. But nevertheless I’ve been super impressed with the clips I’ve seen of him this week ABSOLUTELY DISMANTLING the festering cesspool of manosphere podcasts and anti-woke comedians who have sprung up in the wake of the world’s sudden shift towards the far right. He’s an unlikely champion (and brace yourself if you watch the clips because some of the language is uncomfortable) but I find myself unaccountably heartened by this grumpy, profane comedy wizard.
Spotlight
Hello. This is week three of me asking you to come and see The Play’s The Thing at the Questors Playhouse on 12th September.
The reason? Apparently, the website’s been down so a lot of people haven’t been able to get tickets.
But it’s back up now and we’d love for you to join us. Remember, discount code MOUSETRAP gets you £12 tickets.
THANK YOOOOOOOU!
Radio contact
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