#73 Like a pom-pom
Issue #73 Like a pom-pom
2nd August 2023
Ah, August in Britain.
Radio and I went out for a run this morning and got ABSOLUTELY DRENCHED one moment and then baked in sunshine the next. The poor little buddy has fuzzed up like a pom-pom.
Actually, I'm really excited about this month because I have practically no improv work and have therefore decided to declutter my home.
The plan is to go systematically from room to room with the intention of halving my possessions by the end of the month.
Tune in next week to find out how I'm getting on.
(I bet this is the kind of content you LIVE for.)
Rule of three
[TV] Good Omens
I love everything Neil Gaiman does but wasn't entirely sold on season 1 of Good Omens. I felt like it was basically a (well-told) retread of the book. In season 2, we're in brand new territory and there's treats galore. I adored the more overt exploration of the ineffable husbands, the League of Gentlemen reunion as Nazi Zombies from Hell in war-torn London and MOST OF ALL the brand new character of Muriel. Here is some fan art of our heroes as dogs and Muriel looks a bit like Radio. Perfect.
Anyway, I devoured all six episodes in one evening and it made my fanboy heart sing.
[Film] Barbenheimer
Yes, I did the Barbenheimer double-bill yesterday on the BIGGEST SCREENS IMAGINABLE in Leicester Square. It was a thrilling 5-hour experience. I enjoyed Barbie more and found it genuinely, GENUINELY hilarious. But Oppenheimer will stay with me for longer, I suspect.
[Podcast] Tillie's Time Tales
Do you have young children? Congratulations! May I recommend this free podcast from Fun Kids and the National Trust. Starring a host of excellent improvisers, this is a story of Roman invasion, time travel and naughty insults in Latin. You might also recognise the lead Roman Centurion.
(Me, it's me, I'm the Roman Centurion.)
Spotlight
My pal Ali James has co-written and directed a new musical called Angry Salmon that has a run at the Bridewell Theatre this weekend. I'm going on Saturday night if anyone would like to come with me? Ali is an amazing director and improviser and the music is composed by another super-talented musical improviser, Jordan Paul Clarke. Check out a preview of one of the songs here.
Longform thoughts
We all know of at least one improv instructor who hasn’t performed for years, who is living off his past glories instead of taking any kind of creative risk and making something new. Those classes feel stale. Students can tell when all your ideas are theoretical and never practical.
This week, a plea to my fellow improv teachers, and most urgently to myself, to take time to recharge our batteries.
Radio contact
He is my best friend.