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Pretend Southend

@pretend.southend

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Upcoming shows:
📆 @theatredeli - Pretend Night (London)
📍Southend/ London/ Farnham
🤝 @thepretendcompany
🤝 @southend48thon

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A joyful halfway day mixer yesterday for @thepretendcompany 🌈
Our 16 week Improv Actor Training ensembles came together from #farnham #southend and #london for a mega day of play!
See you in 8 weeks when we celebrate with our finale showcase @omnibustheatre 🌈🌈🌈

Want to find out about our upcoming classes and shows for 2027?
Check out www.thepretendcompany.com by @pretend.southend

Ready to take your improv to the next level?

The Pretend Company Improv Actor Intensive is for performers who want to make bold, playful choices and create theatre that's heartfelt, hilarious and full of life.

Five days of intensive training. A small ensemble. Experienced directors. And lots of opportunities to discover what makes you a brilliant performer.

Applications are open until Friday 13th November.

#Improv #TheatreTraining #ThePretendCompany by @pretend.southend

Want to be part of something wonderful?

Today is the day we open applications for our new year Improv Actor Training Intensive.

Five days of honed improv techniques led by @liamhwebber , @the.stephen.lee and me with a showcase at #PretendNight on day six.

It’s a great opportunity for those who live outside the UK to come and experience our core methodologies in a wonderful week of celebration and improv nerdery.

Londoners, we welcome you with open arms. Returners, equally so.

Start the new year right, with @thepretendcompany

📆 18th - 23rd January 2027
🏢 Theatre Deli, Hackney
🎭 23rd January, 7pm, Omnibus Theatre, Clapham

“I came away feeling inspired, creatively refreshed, and with plenty of valuable insights to bring into my own performances and teaching. I’d wholeheartedly recommend the Pretend intensive to anyone looking to deepen their craft, challenge themselves, and rediscover the joy of improvisation.”
2026 Participant

#improv #theatre #wonder #january
DM for details
📸 @damianrobertsonphoto by @pretend.southend

It’s safe to say this lots are growing on me 😍

Introducing the @pretend.southend autumn ensemble 26

Maddie
@johncrancher_art
@stageybulldogproductions
@jonathanjacomb
@jamesd2day
Frank
@mark6313baker
@chloe_belladonna
@sheila_lord_
Hannah
@wobwobrob

Watch out improv, they’re creative kittens and they’re coming….

#southend #improvisation #joy @thepretendcompany by @pretend.southend

🤔 Wondering what Gael’s class will be like??

Scenework, Notes, and Improv Nerds will give you real time feedback and actionable notes to improve your improv!

📆 Sun 18 Oct. 11AM - 5PM.
📍 The Umbrella Rooms, Central London. by @pretend.southend

Learn to let go and play with one of the best in the biz!

Laura Doorneweerd-Perry is in London next month to teach a one day course getting you in touch with your more playful side!

🏢 Umbrella Rooms, 239-241, Shaftesbury Ave, London WC2H 8EH, Room 3

🕥 Sat 17th October 11am - 5pm (with 1 hour for lunch)

💰 £110 (or £200 if bought with Scenework, Notes & Improv Nerds) by @pretend.southend

📅 Sat 17 & Sun 18 October
⌚ 11am–5pm
📍 Umbrella Rooms, London

🎭 Time to get our improv nerd on with two of the best around!

Join international improv legends Laura Doorneweerd-Perry & Gael Doorneweerd-Perry for a weekend of play, practice and serious scene work.

✨ Saturday: A Control Freak’s Guide to Playfulness — discover how to find your playfulness, loosen your grip and bring more joy into your scenes.

🎬 Sunday: Scenework, Notes & Improv Nerds — get stuck into scenes, feedback, side-coaching and doing the reps that make you better.

£110 each / £200 for both. Spaces are limited! by @pretend.southend

🚨Exciting times @pretend.southend 🚨

New WEEKEND workshop announced!

10am-4pm
14-15th November

All three @thepretendcompany directors @ali_james22 @liamhwebber @mrchrismead share learnings from their international improv adventures to help you level UP your play! It’ll be so much fun and a great way to spend an autumn weekend by the sea! Gorgeous! 🌊

https://buytickets.at/alijames/2428224

OR check our bio for a link!
📸 @damianrobertsonphoto by @pretend.southend

Six months in the company of these wonders! It’s flown by and they (plus three other excellent people) turned up come rain or hot, hot shine.

Their devised finale show (Journey of a Lifetime) was huge success along with many individual breakthroughs along the way. 💓

A huge thank you to @the.stephen.lee and @epascalpeters for co-teaching with me. Genuinely wish I could have been in their workshops (and that’s saying something given I was actually in DisneyWorld).

It’s been a joy @thepretendcompany
Thank you @damianrobertsonphoto for the memories and @mrchrismead and @liamjwebber for your comradeship.

Onwards!

Applications now open for Autumn Improv Actor Training in Southend, Farnham and London! See my bio for more info 🙏
#improv #community #skills #joy by @pretend.southend

Last night was a delightful final night of our 8 week Foundation Improvised Actor Training course in #southend.

Thanks to @thehavencommunityhub and @uptheroad_southend for having us and for the delicious cocktails! Improv, birthday cake (happy birthday Hershal & Maddie!) and so much exciting growth and potential to celebrate! Congratulations you guys!

Next 8 week Foundation Improvised Actor Training coming Spring 2027.
16 week Improvised Actor Training coming Autumn 2026.
Application only - closing 1st August - see bio for more info!

#improv #adulting #theatre #joy by @pretend.southend

Joy of joys last night at the first @thepretendcompany @southend48thon workshop & jam! Thanks to @uptheroad_southend for having us and to the Thonners for all the laughs and feels 💙

#community #improv #improvathon by @pretend.southend

Dream team! These Southenders are approaching the end of their 8 week summer course and have been absolutely cracking.

Last night we did some improv experiments with very pleasing results!

What a joy to know them all!

#improv #adultplay #communication #upskill #life by @pretend.southend