Pippa Evans on Robert's podcast

On the latest episode of his podcast Robert talks to improviser, writer and performer Pippa Evans about her work with Showstopper The Musical and her new book Improv Your Life.

They also discuss the importance of creating your own work, how improv can make your life better, and whether we should still be watching Friends.

Spotify https://spoti.fi/3bQN0WD
Siticher https://bit.ly/3dNq5xj
apple https://apple.co/3aFUwDE
website https://bit.ly/31La8V3

Robert Lane
New song! A Lover or a Friend

Here’s a new song I’ve just put out. It’s exclusively on bandcamp, which is the best streaming service and has done a lot to support musicians during the pandemic.

You can listen to the song via this link, and buy it if you wish (any purchases go towards helping me make more music) but probably the most helpful thing you could do would be to share it with friends etc.

Thanks!

Robert Lane
New song raising money for The Trussell Trust

New song! Proceeds going to The Trussell Trust "working to stop UK hunger and poverty. Our network of foodbanks provides emergency food and support to people in crisis." Video filmed and edited by Bader Media Entertainment

Only available to download on Bandcamp.

Robert Lane
Mike Fenton Stevens on Robert's podcast

On the latest episode of his podcast Robert chats to actor Mike Fenton Stevens about creativity and his work on stage and screen, as well as his podcast My Time Capsule.

Mike talks about working on such legendary TV shows as Only Fools and Horses, One Foot in the Grave and Mr Bean and shares some audition tricks.

Robert Lane
Thoughts on being nervous

I was having a conversation with one of my guitar students about being nervous to play on stage for the first time. I said that you get nervous because it’s important to you and that’s a positive thing; if you didn’t care you wouldn’t get nervous but then your performance would be no good.

Coincidently I’ve just spotted this quote from Joe Walsh; “You have to go out and play in front of people; even if you suck at it at first, you have to do it. For anybody going onstage the first time, it can be a terrifying experience, and it can be so scary that they never go again. But you have to do it a couple times before you can make your mind up.”

Robert Lane

Hello!
How are you?

I’m writing at nearly my favourite time of year on almost the best day of the week close to the best time of the day. What’s more it’s my birthday this week (Thursday the 12th, thanks for asking) so I’m in a pretty contented mood. There’s a kind of unease that comes with saying that given the extraordinarily challenging and confusing times we are all living through and I know that for many things are far from conducive to happiness and calm but I think we should take our feelings as we find them and celebrate the “little wins” that can present themselves even amongst the turmoil and angst.

As 2020 draws to a close I find myself looking back on the year and it is fair to say that it hasn’t gone the way I had expected or hoped. There’s a feeling of missed opportunity and exciting things put on hold. At the end of 2019 I signed up with an acting agent and after taking a break to get married in January I was being submitted for castings just as lockdown 1 happened and that whole industry had to pause. Slowly things are waking up and I’m hopeful they will pick up again in 2021. Likewise my joint headline tour with Minnie Birch was going wonderfully well; we were halfway through our run of gigs, playing some sold out shows and really hitting our stride when live performances had to stop indefinitely. Of course we can pick all that up again and play the remaining gigs just as soon as safe and practical, but when will that be? Similarly shows with The Improlectuals had to stop and at the moment there are no plans as to when they can start again.

The film I was acting in and doing the music for, Sam and Dan Get Lost, was about two filming days away from finishing and is now on an extended hiatus (if it’s good enough for James Bond…) but given it’s a small cast and crew there’s a real possibility that can be completed soon so I’m hopeful it will be available to watch in the spring.

Given these enforced breaks on some exciting projects, has the year been a washout? Well no, not really. I’ve taken the time to try some creative projects I’ve had in mind for a while but felt too busy to investigate (you really find out if you want to do something when the excuse of “no time” is removed.) I’ve also had the freedom to respond to opportunities I might otherwise have discounted for similar time reasons. In no particular order these have included; some short stories, a short film script, a TV sitcom pilot, a pitch for a radio drama, an article about creativity and most taxing of all; an Arts Council bid. I’m aware that most and maybe all of these will go nowhere whatsoever but I’m happy with that.

How do you reflect on this year, highs and lows?
I'm keen to know

Some stuff for you to enjoy...

Latest podcast episode; Ben S. Hyland
The Robert Lane Creative Careers Podcast is a year old this month and there have been over 40 episodes. The latest features a conversation with comedy writer and director Ben S. Hyland. If you haven't listened to the podcast yet I must ask where you've been... it's a year and 40+ episodes old! Don't worry though you can hear all of it right here.

Free Christmas song
Follow this link to a free download of Season Bright, my Christmas song with Emily Ewing.

Latest Youtube video
A cover of Blackbird by The Beatles

New Merch
There's some brand new merchandise available now including t-shirts, tote bags and beanie hats (it would be great to see some heads warmed by these this winter) as well as all my music on CD and download.

Check them out! All sales help me make more music.

Until next time
Take care, and try and celebrate the little wins, however small. Stay in touch, and let me know what you think of the podcast, the Christmas song and anything else you want to chat about.

Robert

Robert Lane