Hello and welcome to my Substack! I have no idea how it works but this seems to be what all the cool kids are doing or at least have been doing for about four years. (If you’re used to receiving my newsletters, please bear with me while I work out this new format!)
Previously I’ve written blog posts about the demise of the Edinburgh Fringe, digital minimalism and improv for mindfulness but in 2023 I wrote nothing. This was mainly because I was writing my new solo comedy show, Picnic. I promised blogs about my time at clown school, my findings as an improv teacher and even revisiting memories from my time living in Venice. They never materialised. In fact, I wiped the blog page from my website. Website! How kitsch.
This year I plan to delve back into my blogging. It might even help me process what went on in 2023: creating a new show, new characters, competitions, new festivals, Fringe… After all I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading posts by other performers I respect such as
, , and . In fact, I might start this by stealing an idea from Joz…Every New Year he chooses a word as his intention for the next 12 months rather than setting out rigid resolutions. You could choose “explore”, “build”, “rest” anything you like. Last year I apparently picked - I had to check my inbox - “play”. I did play a lot. My director, Kat Cade, encouraged me to keep playing with ideas for Picnic right up to and throughout the Fringe. I did more clowning; I was in a play; I even taught an improv workshop on play.
(Video of me below playing around with silly arms in rehearsal with Kat.)
While playing was a big part of what made 2023 an enjoyable and creative year, I wonder if it’s also why I feel so exhausted. It expends a lot of energy outwards. Of course there were other strains on my energy last year: homelessness, work, fringe admin, money stress etc.
This year I need nourishment. There will still be a great deal of play involved but rather than using it to be produce and push creativity, it will be to nurture skills and relationships. I’m always wanting to learn more. You might have noticed that a lot of my characters have something they’re very excited to teach you! But this year I look forward to absorbing new ideas for myself rather than a character.
I look forward to reading. I’m a slow reader. It’s something I’ve always been quite embarrassed about. I love when I get time to myself to read but the circumstances have to be just right: no talking or noise, no contact lenses and no feeling like I really should be doing something else. My hope is by reminding myself that reading is nurturing I will reframe this last thought. (More on this in another post!)
I also intend to catch up with all the wonderful people I’ve met over the last year. There are so many brilliant people I’ve had the chance to work with and we always say “let’s have a proper catch up over a coffee” but it never happens. Suddenly you have to move out of town or you have a deadline or you’re on tour and the time disappears. I hope that by prioritising nurturing these relationships (and having a more stable living situation) I’ll be able to make more time for deeper and more fruitful conversations.
I considered making this year’s intention to “reflect” and I’m sure I will but “nurture” feels somewhat more open. Either way I’m sure I’ll have plenty to write about and would love to hear your thoughts too. So please, continue to subscribe, share and share with me!
Do you have a word you’d like to set as your intention for this year? Is there anything you’d like to hear me talk about? How was your 2023 and do think 2024 will be different?
All this said, I will be doing my solo comedy show, Picnic, at The Soho Theatre in London 14th February 2023. Get tickets now (the prices will only go up!). xx