17 DECEMBER 2025

Hello, Chris Mead here, realising that there’s a huge amount going on this week and it’s all my fault for programming too many things back to back.

In other news, I’m still trying to compile 200 improv metaphors - so please keep sending them in for the 200th issue in 2 weeks.

And now, this ...

Rule of three

[Films] Rob Reiner
Look, I try to keep it light in this newsletter. But we lost one of the greatest directors of all time this week, and in the most devastating way possible. And the Despicable Orange Wotsit of Hate said some awful, smug, self-satisfied things about his death that made my blood boil. So, for the record:

The Princess Bride is a one-of-a-kind miracle of fantasy and comedy
When Harry Met Sally is in the conversation for best RomCom of all time
Stand By Me pretty much defines coming-of-age storytelling
Misery is a chilling and unforgettable thriller
A Few Good Men is an absolute masterclass in well-acted, tautly-directed, wildly-quotable film making
and
This is Spinal Tap redefined the comedy landscape permanently

Look at that list of films. Check out how absurdly varied they are in terms of genre, of tone, of presentation. The talent he displayed is extraordinary. Rob Reiner was responsible for more laughter, warmth and profundity in a single movie than the current president will rack up in his entire lifetime.

[Music] A Christmas Playlist
No one ever accused me of having superlative taste in music but, for what it’s worth, here’s a playlist of alternative Christmas tunes that I really love. If you’re tired of hearing the same five festive tracks on repeat, there might be something here for you. I have mercifully restrained myself to but one instance of A Spaceman Came Travelling but obviously need to remind everyone of this version too.

Apple Music
Spotify

[Tech] Auditioning AI actors
This series, where an actual director tries to coax an array of AI actors to perform in an even remotely human way, is incredibly funny and timely. They’re undoubtedly going to get better but, for now, it’s a hilarious shit show.

Director auditions AI actor
Director auditions improvising AI couple
Director auditions AI for holidays commercial

Spotlight

Our Christmas Spectacular this evening has fully sold out but there’s still tickets to come and see our End of Year Showcase at the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham tomorrow.

And talking of the Omnibus, I’m incredibly excited to announce that Pretend Night has a residency there for the whole of 2026.

Mark your diaries now - we’ll be there every THIRD Friday of the month.

And to that end, I wanted to announce our line-up for our inaugural January show - we’re currently in their smallest space, The Common Room, which is a beautiful 50-seater - and we’d love to absolutely pack that out.

So we’ve cooked up something pretty special.

Three Grown Ups Sitting Round a Table
Ruth Bratt (Showstopper! The Improvised Musical), Lee Simpson (The Comedy Store Players) and Lauren Shearing (Austentatious) join forces for this first outing of Three Grown Ups Sitting Round A Table, an entirely improvised show with real props and real humans.

Atlantis Falls
Improv duo Charlotte Gittins (Austentatious) and Chris Mead (The Pretend Company) deliver sweetly disturbing, off-kilter love stories of horror and hope.

The Pretend Ensemble
The capital’s premiere theatrical improv troupe transform audience suggestions into compelling, hilarious theatre discovered entirely in the moment, and never seen again.

We’re so honoured to be hosting the premiere of Ruth, Lee and Lauren’s new show and I’m equally enchanted to be playing with Charlotte again. If you’re free on 16th January - please buy your ticket TODAY so we can impress the theatre with our phenomenal seat-filling ability. You’d really be helping us out.

THANK YOU!!!

Radio contact

🎵 Oh Christmas dog, oh Christmas dog, how waggly are your hind parts?

Both Radio AND Parsnip will be performing in the Christmas Spectacular tonight, so do come and say hi if you’re around.