#58 The Roys as an improv team
Issue #58 The Roys as an improv team
19th April 2023
Well, the years start comin' and they don't stop comin' as Shakespeare once famously wrote.
The world turns and spring is very much in the air. The evenings are pulling out.
I walk to classes under blue skies.
Lots to be thankful for this week, especially a really delightful weekend intensive exploring folk tales and improvised fables.
If you're reading this, and fancy it, let me know something you're grateful for at the moment.
And now, this!
Rule of three
[Music] Did you know that there's a tunnel under Ocean Blvd
I've always admired Lana Del Rey's music but I think her new album is something truly special. I listened to the whole thing in one train journey with no breaks. Just staring out the window as the landscape rushed by. Beautiful.
[TV] Succession
You don't need me to tell you that Succession is the best thing on television at the moment. It's a monumental achievement and this final season is devastating in its ambition. But I would like to point you towards this article that reimagines the Roys as an improv team.
And as always, if you've used up your allocation of free articles, you can get past the pay wall at 12ft ladder.
[Improv] Keith Johnstone
Keith Johnstone died earlier this year and I haven't mentioned it in the pages of Improv Fables yet. I never had the chance to meet him personally but my social media channels were awash with tributes and stories. It's undeniable that his work had a huge impact on the art form. I found this obituary in the New York Times particularly rewarding.
Spotlight
I've been working on this for a while and am super excited to finally announce it. I've partnered with OMUK founder, Mark Estdale, to create a course around using improv techniques in voice capture for video games. Mark has been working as a casting and performance director in games for over 25 years and has developed some ground-breaking practices that happily all centre on improv. His work-flow involves actors not seeing a script beforehand and responding in the moment. This class is particularly special because everyone who attends will get a go in the booth, recording dialogue and gaining experience of the process. We hope it'll be attended by both improvisers who want to get into vocal capture and voice actors who want to become more spontaneous.
Longform thoughts
“If your improv students come out of class and say “That teacher was brilliant” then you are a good teacher. If they come out and say “That class was amazing” then you are a great teacher. If they come out and say “Weren’t we awesome?” then you are exceptional.”
- some improv teacher, can’t remember who
Read about the importance of The people in the room.
Radio days
Radio play.