I hate when that one guy has a film out.

The Labour Party has long been an institutionally stupid organisation

The Luddites' actual argument was that automated looms meant expensive, skilled workers were being replaced with literal children, who were then getting maimed and killed, and maybe this is bad.

The moment you hear those first few notes. 🎶💚 #FindYourSpirit

Just finished Brigands and Breadknives by @travisbaldree.bsky.social. The fantasy adventure in these books is great - really enjoyable - but the reason I love them so much is the gentle, everyday philosophy of the writing - it’s like having a deep conversation with a good friend.

Sam Neill (1947–2026)

Just a reminder that the Gillian Lynne Theatre has air conditioning.

The Sheep Detectives was fun. It’s like Chicken Run and Hot Fuzz had a fluffy little lamb baby.

"executives with no understanding of the industry" seems to be an endemic problem across industries: higher education, medicine, you name it, a bunch of suits with MBAs and unearned arrogance are destroying everything around us, and for some reason, we're supposed to accept that they know best

As someone who has written plays about both the Manhattan Project and the Large Hadron Collider, it is fascinating to read a review of my least science-y play through a scientific lens.

Anne Widdi-gone.

In case you missed it, here's Count Binface's appearance on the BBC this morning.

Which Mei represents your spirit today? 🌱✨ #FindYourSpirit

It's been a point that's been argued to a brick-wall my entire professional life but if you take a cold hard look at the relative successes, compounding economic benefits, and global standing of British industries the treatment of the performing arts is a completely mad kind of self harm

Tempted to start pitching a prestige political drama - à la Peter Morgan or James Graham - about Binface winning Clacton and then becoming PM in a hung parliament. He’d of course never take off the bin, except for one time when he does and he’s played by Pedro Pascal.

For those who don’t have access to BBC iPlayer, here is the Blue Peter segment that goes backstage @totoroshow.bsky.social - now up on YouTube.

I wrote a novel last year. I really should have another look at it. It needs a heavy rewrite and a strong edit. It’s intensely weird and not really very marketable, but I must persevere. I’m putting this here in the hope that it’ll somehow encourage me to go back to it.

And then we go around saying we shouldn't use AC because of the power costs Looks like we should start by cutting out ChatGPT (as a reminder ac prevents people from *dying*. Don't think LLMs can make that point)

some amazing things happening over on threads — ever since they “shut down CERN”

Is the climate crisis causing you existential dread? Is living through techno-fascism getting you down? Is your eczema flaring up? Here’s a cat. It’s the best I can do under the current circumstances.

I think I might accidentally be writing a musical.

True! However this is hilarious so i chose to believe this

No one has ever regretted getting a hammock.

Just a reminder that Up is perfect.

Hands off the corn! 🌽 #FindYourSpirit

For three days in a row the heat record for June has been broken in the UK. The same story right across Europe. Any attempts at this key moment to slow climate action is utterly indefensible. We need day one action to accelerate our climate ambition from Andy Burnham.

Nothing makes me feel more creatively inspired than working on something that’s not the thing I need to finish

Paperback sci fi novella recommendations, if you’d be so kind.

Trying to write. Too hot. Brain is soup. You want soup? Pour soup on page. Send to theatre. What this? Play soup. You want this? No want this. Is theatre. Is soup. Write good? No. No. Too hot. Too hot means play bad. Oh.

Absolutely devoured this. Utterly charming and full of mischief. 🦊

Very cool to have MakeBeth announced at Shakespeare's Globe! Currently on tour, it'll be coming to London in the autumn. Been fab to direct this and work with Hannah, Sam and the cast. 💀🗡️🩸 www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/mak...

Thanks to our magical auditorium air cooling, it's always cool in the forest! ❄️✨ #FindYourSpirit

Gavin, the silent sentinel, watches over you and reminds you to stay hydrated.

Really enjoying Audition for the Fox by @mcflycahill90.bsky.social. This passage particularly stands out:

Nothing to add to this article everyone is talking about other than: I was at university with Rebecca Lowe and I directed her in one of my early plays. She was great and a thoroughly lovely human. Happy to see her doing so well.

Hey, let's go! We are ready to make magic for you at West End Live! 🌱✨ #FindYourSpirit

West End Live! @totoroshow.bsky.social

Whatever relationship you have with today, I hope it is a peaceful one.

Go behind the scenes of @totoroshow.bsky.social with Blue Peter! So extremely wholesome. I can confirm that getting a hug from the big guy is super special.

A meeting of the Council of Elders.

Rocky Raccoon: a Myxomatosis mystery

The existence of billionaires is morally repugnant. The existence of trillionaires is a crime against humanity.

🤮

thinking about her ❤️ Jurassic Park was released in theaters on this day in 1993.

There is no Antimemetics Division by @qntm.org is stunning. A meditation on the terrifying power of ideas, but also a primal cry at humanity’s propensity to forget. Terrifying, playful and heartbreaking.

It is a thing to recognize that one has two shows on in the west end: One you’re in, the other you directed, both have fab music, both have puppets and both should never have got there if you were to use any kind of logic or a mind that didn’t believe in magic. #philipglass #JoeHisaishi #Improbable

I loved this. The craft of it is incredible. Expansive, personal and hugely inspiring. Thank you @annleckie.com. Such a gorgeous book.

My boring take, from other people’s experiences and my own: Doctor Who is a ferociously difficult, near-inhumane show to produce. Brutal for every department, but particularly for one person to hold at the top as it is. If they want the best range of pitches, the production model needs rethinking

I’d be up for writing Doctor Who. But I’d give it a hard reboot and people would be very cross.

Me running away from my problems. 🌱✨ #FindYourSpirit © Manuel Harlan