15 APRIL 2026

Hello.

It’s me. Chris Mead.

I’m here with another edition of Pretend Post - the newsletter for improvisers, people who like my dog Radio, and family members who read it out of a sense of duty.

And boy howdy, this issue has it all - an indie gaming gem, a beautiful movie recommendation, a genius starlit triptych, a risky confession and the cutest pooch you ever did see (Radio again).

Rule of three

[Game] Öoo
I love a computer game crafted with care by a small team. This wonderful puzzler sees you take on the role of a tiny caterpillar who’s been swallowed by a bird. The puzzles themselves (featuring the unique mechanic of having to detonate segments of your body to propel yourself through space) are as charming as they are fiendish. And it took me forever to work out that the title - Öoo - is merely a graphical representation of the little caterpillar you play.

[Film] Rental Family
This was recommended to me by the supremely excellent Millie Higgs whom I met in Manila (I went to Manila, it was a whole thing). It’s got Brendan Fraser (hooray!), Japan (the BEST) and a story that plots a course dead centre between sentimentality and reality. Fraser excels as an out-of-work actor asked to play a series of roles in a sort of whimsical experiential theatre slash therapeutic role play doodad. Anyway, it turns out to be good for him and good for the various people he helps. And honestly good for me too, because I cried and laughed along with him, the big lovable lug.

[Audio] Stories for the Starlit Sky
A series of three interconnected stories from Daniel Kitson, with interspersed music from Gavin Osborn, all about the thrill of being awake and called to adventure under the rolling canopy of the night sky. And it’s funny. It’s SO funny. And it reminds me of being twenty and looking star-ward and feeling so small and so connected to everything. And there’s hot chocolate and assassins and a huge room where every act of love is diligently filed away in tiny drawers. If you take one of my suggestions this year, make it this one.

Spotlight

Since moving Pretend Night over to the Omnibus Theatre we’ve had really lovely full houses - between 50-60 people each month. DREAMY!

But cards on the table, folks, we’ve only sold seven tickets for this Friday 17th April. AND WE HAVE SUCH A GOOD LINE-UP. So if you’ve been meaning to buy tickets but just haven’t got round to it yet - please do my rapidly escalating blood pressure a favour and grab a place pronto.

As a reminder, here’s what we’ve got in store for you:

Workshop

Long Time Listener | 6 - 7.30pm | Omnibus Theatre | £25
Listening in improv isn’t just about hearing what your scene partner says or understanding what the scene is about. It’s about recognizing what your character wants, what your partner’s character wants, and discovering what the scene itself needs. Join for this deep dive into the importance of listening and how it transforms your improv.

Workshop leader is Eoin O'Sullivan from SuperCut.

(NB: buying a ticket for this workshop will get you a voucher for a £5 ticket to Pretend Night)

Show

Pretend Night | 8 - 10pm | Omnibus Theare | £10
London’s premiere theatrical improv night featuring:

A VIKING SAGA
For the first time! Danish narrative improv group SuperCut land on English shores with their Viking Saga. Forged live on stage and fueled by your suggestions, this epic unleashes outrageous quests, mystic mayhem and berserker battles! Expect gods, monsters, prophecies, longships, and legends born before your very eyes. Steeped in Norse mythology, history, and wild folklore, this is improv at full battle roar.

THE STAFF ROOM
What goes on behind the door of the staff room? Discover the secret lives of the people we trust to educate our children as we go back to school in this improvised exploration of the thankless lives of teachers.
Featuring: Teresa Senyah, David Brady, Shanaka Dias, Muireann Kelly, Suzie Rai, Victor Estrella & Treci Dominique

WEIRDASS
A wonderful format created by Stephnie Weir and Bod Dassey that plays with characters talking directly to the audience in order to inspire new scenes and open up the world of the show in heartfelt and hilarious ways.
The Pretend Company Ensemble: Liam Webber, Stephen Lee, Jennifer Jordan, Chris Mead, Tara Judah & Muireann Kelly

Radio contact

Radio, before and after we said his name.