Saturday Night Live is coming to the UK.

I mention this because, amongst my friendship group, it’s all anyone wants to talk about.

SNL UK means a chance for improvisers, comedy writers and indeed comedians of all stripes to become famous. To get their material in front of millions of people. To become movie stars.

I’m not bothered.

I love SNL but I’ve read enough accounts of what it’s like to actually make the show to know it wouldn’t be for me. I’m not tough enough. Nor am I funny, ambitious or photogenic enough.

I didn’t become an improviser for the fame or the money.

Because there isn’t any.

I became an improviser because it’s the most joyful, life-affirming art form on Earth.

And that’s what I want to do - to keep improvising, to keep making stuff, to try, in my own small way, to push the art form forwards.

I’ve talked of the image of the artisan journeyman before but to me it’s a potent image. I’m not seeking to become a master, I just want to keep on doing the thing. And doing it a bit better every time I do it.

That’s why I started The Pretend Company. To try and be a little more ambitious with my improv.

I’m very lucky in how many opportunities I’ve been offered in terms of teaching and performing, but now I feel like it’s time to MAKE those opportunities. For myself and others.

But I’ve come to the conclusion I can’t do that on my own. I don’t have the required skills. I need partners.

A couple of weeks ago, I shared the wonderful news that The Pretend Company would partner with ImprompTwo - the incredible producing/ performing team of husband and wife duo, Joe and Kathy Rinaldi. ImprompTwo have been garnering standing ovations all across Europe and North America. And not only are they actors and playwrights - they are whip smart producers too. They are doers. They make things happen. I’m already so inspired by the meetings we’ve had and I can’t wait to share what we’ve been working on.

But I also don’t want The Pretend Company itself to be a one man band anymore. I want a partner to bounce ideas off and hold me accountable. I have such a clear idea where I want to take Pretend but I need someone else to help make that happen - someone with a thousand ideas of their own.

So, it gives me great pleasure to announce that Liam Webber has come on-board as Lead Producer for The Pretend Company. My official title will initially be Artistic Director, but we intend to review those roles as we establish and professionalise the company. To all intents and purposes, the two of us will now be running this thing together.

Anyone who has seen Liam on stage will know that rare combination of vulnerability and infinitely unhinged potential that he brings to every scene. He is one of the most joyful improvisers I’ve ever worked with. But he’s also someone who creates festivals (the legendary Robin Hood International Improv Festival), produces content, knows his way around a spreadsheet and, most importantly, models kindness and care wherever he goes. I already love working with him. He’s even helped me with my garden.

With Liam onboard, Pretend is going to become a lot more ambitious, organised and productive in the next year. I really feel the sky’s the limit for us now.

I asked him if he wanted to say anything and here’s what he wrote:

Hello! I feel very honoured, incredibly excited, and slightly terrified that Chris has asked me to be a part of this… I watched from Australia as Chris poured time and love to create a thing from nothing, finding the artistic vision and ambition really exciting and inspiring. Since moving to London and seeing first hand what is building here, I’ve been blown away. Because it’s not just a theatre company or a training school, it’s a whole community of people who want to make this kind of work. Heartfull and hilarious and compelling and moving and improvised. WHAT?!? they said it couldn’t be done!

I don’t think I could have said yes any faster when Chris asked. I can’t wait to meet all of you and work out how I fit in this incredibly exciting jigsaw puzzle!