#78 Breathless & inspired
Issue #78 Breathless & inspired
6th September 2023
Greetings from Canada.
I'm currently visiting the incredible Vinny François before heading west to Toronto to live all my Outward Bound fantasies at Camp Zipzap.
Currently camp is forecast to occur in the middle of a thunder storm. I can't freaking wait.
My last week at Improfestival Karlsruhe was equally eventful. I had the privilege to work with an ensemble of world-class improvisers who also happened to be some of my very closest friends. Together we presented TEN distinct improv show formats over the course of the festival. I enjoyed revisiting NeverFolk, seeing the world end twice in flood and darkness respectively, presenting an absolute belter of a Project2 show and executing a series of fast costume changes to play both staff and guests at Hotel Superior. The whole festival ended with us playing Gael Doorneweerd-Perry's beautiful, elegiac format, Patchwork.
It was a really special week that taught me afresh what improv could be and also to what we can aspire.
Rule of three (internet video edition)
[Freestyle] Harry Mack
I am left breathless and inspired by the speed of Harry Mack's brain. He is an incredible freestyle rapper and the skills he displays are absolutely rooted in improv. Watch a clip and then get lost down the rabbit hole.
[Film-making] Next level stop motion
Take a look at this video. It's all a series of still images taken separately and then strung together with stop motion techniques. Again, the artistry here is mind-blowing. Once you've watched it, the rest of the video goes on to explain how they did it.
[Stunts] Jumping
From the sublime to the ridiculous. This is just a montage of one guy jumping over, into, through and underneath moving vehicles.
Spotlight
Nothing to sell this week as all my classes have reached sufficient numbers where they can go ahead. Hooray! That said, there are just a few more places available if you're looking for some great indie classes in the autumn.
Longform thoughts
“Improv is for everyone – it’s not about being clever or funny, just about being authentically you. If you can be yourself, then you can definitely do improv.”
All this travelling has meant I haven't had time to write an essay this week, but please enjoy this short interview organised by the indomitable Pip Palmer of Woking Improv Theatre concerning the explosion of improv in our local area.
NOTE: I most assuredly didn't describe myself as "perhaps one of the biggest names for those in the improv community" 🥺.
Radio contact
"Take my hand. It's all going to be ok."