Bookish & pantless in the Guardian

It’s nice to be recognized, publicly, as a public reader. That’s what happened Monday, December 12 2011 in this Guardian article on why “Book swaps at London tube and train stations are ‘a good idea'”.

I wouldn’t even have noticed the article if Nicola of Nicola’s Book Club hadn’t pointed it out to me. Thank goodness she did, because otherwise not only would I have missed this picture of me in the Guardian – I would’ve missed the most incredible thing about it.

I’m not wearing any pants.

Yup. I’m totally trouserless and completely sans pants. A fact that’s not touched upon in the article, and barely noticeable in the photo.

So, while trying to figure out why I’d had my photo taken on the tube – and why I hadn’t noticed – I noticed that there was a glimmer of thigh in the photo. Then it all made sense.

The photo was from The London No Pants Subway Ride 2010. A yearly event organised by Improv Everywhere. And someone at the Guardian Books page was looking through an image bank trying to find a suitable photo to accompany the piece. And they did.

I only wish they’d also encouraged people to enjoy the gloriously silly and fulfilling feeling of riding the rails in their underpants. And reading.

This year’s No Pants ride will be the 11th annual. If you’re keen to get involved go the FB event page.

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:43:49+00:00December 13 2011|

“Plenty of energy, enthusiasm, good clear guidance on how to make the scene ‘deliver results’ without killing the improviser… Ryan’s enthusiasm for improv is infectious.”

James, Brighton

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Laura, Amsterdam

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Anonymous, Switzerland

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Jeremy, Brussels

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Serena, Amsterdam

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Pedro, Lisbon

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Alon, Tel Aviv

“Ryan is an incredible teacher. He took a straggling group of beginners and turned us into a viable company of improvisational actors who regularly perform together – in front of actual, paying, repeat customers.”

Carrie, Brussels

“I LOVED the fucking GREAT and positive energies in the workshop. They so got me going. Perhaps the highest moment during this festival was laughing in the workshop (to the dances… :)).”

Ben, Tel Aviv

“Ryan is the most enthusiastic, positive workshop leader I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I’ve been to several of his workshops and after each session I came away with a sense of achievement and feeling that I had learnt something new.”

Chris, London

“Your Taking It Easy session helped me relax more into the truth of a scene and let it grow more organically instead of pushing too hard to make it funny or dramatic. I loved that you were really clear about what you wanted us to get and how the exercises played into the scene work we did later. I really got a lot from one short session.”

Andrew, Brighton

“Working with you was an absolute blast! I’ll take your writing advice with me wherever I go.”

Marton, Budapest

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Furio S., Berlin

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Calum, Brighton

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Samora, Amsterdam

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Simon, Amsterdam

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Shauna, Tunbridge Wells

“I’ve learned so much from you and thank you for giving me that nudge to get out of my comfort zone.”

Imaan, Amsterdam

“I loved loved loved your workshop. I liked the way it was structured and meaningful. Time flew unnoticed. I liked the shortness of the exercises, the surprise and fun, and the fact that you gave me so much to explore. I now can be in an empty prison cell or in a desert island and never feel alone or bored anymore. Now I can expand my world.”

Elsa, Lisbon

“As a coach Ryan’s ability to zone in and identify the main agenda for each sessions was amazing. His coaching helped me reflect, make decisions and make positive changes in my business.”

Tracy, Dublin

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Natasha, Amsterdam,

“Ryan is an extremely qualified, talented, and professional teacher and coach. I’d recommend Ryan’s services to anyone!”

Derek, Amsterdam,

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

“Thank you so much for passing your writing knowledge onto me. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun too.”

Larissa, Amsterdam,

“The skills I learned from those two weekends, which were two of the most enjoyable weekends I’ve ever had, have been an invaluable tool I use to this day in my daily life, both at work and in personal interactions.”

Andy, Brussels

“I especially enjoyed the clarity in all of what you were doing – I always understood what it was that you were teaching. I never felt lost. That was really awesome.”

Martin, Tampere

Bookish & pantless in the Guardian

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Bookish & pantless in the Guardian

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