First Night

The first night of the show went very well.

I’m sure we all want to maintain that momentum tonight and tomorrow. Do come if you can!

Trinity

I’m off to a reception at Trinity College (Oxford) in a moment, to meet Sir Ivor Roberts, the new President. I was an undergraduate at Trinity. (Perhaps I should say ‘student’, as ‘undergraduate’ implies that I went on to take a further degree, which I did not. Well, I have got a Master’s now, but that's a quirky Oxbridge thing. If it pisses you off, I am delighted to say that that’s one of the reasons I took it.)

I’m looking forward to the reception a lot. I find myself looking back on my college days with increasing fondness. Moreover, Trinity makes a real effort to ensure that former students feel a part of things.

I made a lot of friends at Trinity, but to a large extent my time there was wasted. I should have worked harder. I should have done more extra-curricular things. But I was ravaged and paralysed by mental illness.

The wonderful thing is that I enjoy Oxford and Trinity for what there are NOW. Yes memories are increasingly happy, but I don’t only look back. I don’t dwell on what might have been, I enjoy being a part of Trinity in the present. I wasn’t at all sure that this would happen.

Little did I think I would return to Oxford. How glad I am that I did.

Right, better get dressed up and ready to meet the President. It’s a big moment for both of us.

In Yesterday’s Guardian

James Sherwood has a new blog. I think all of us – no matter what our political inclinations – will have fun with this one.

Charlie P Getting Down

Click here to see close personal friend Charles Partridge promoting the Imposters.

This is going to be good – an hour of improvised scenes and sketches, spun off from audience suggestions. All will interweave to form a cohesive whole.

Michael Pilch Studio, Jowett Walk, Oxford.

£4/£3 Tickets on the door

8pm, Wednesday – Saturday of 6th week (21 - 24 February).

Where’s Tommy?

He’s still here. Sorry to have been away for so long.

There are two main reasons for my absence. One is the show mentioned in the previous post. We open next Monday, and I’ve been busy rehearsing and learning my lines. It’s a huge pleasure to be working with so many talented and nice people. There’s no point in my trying to rewrite the previous sentence to make it sound less gushing. It’s true, so why not say it?

I’ve also left my job. It will come as no secret to most of my readers that for the past 11 months I have been working for Lord Coe (i.e. Seb Coe). I was mainly focussed on the 2012 Olympic Games.

I’m very proud to have worked for nearly a year on a once-in-a-lifetime project that I believe will be fantastic for London and the UK. The parting of the ways is amicable and was brought about by a simple change in Seb’s needs. I’m grateful for the chance to have been a part of the adventure, and for his sincere good wishes and thanks for my efforts.

One thing I won’t regret is not making the journey from Oxford to London and back so often. I am already busy with freelance research and copywriting work, and this is the direction I want to go in again (unless, as with 2012, someone makes me a better offer). If you have something you think might be a good fit for me, then I am contactable at tommywgreeves@yahoo.co.uk.

My stand up comedy has gone very well indeed so far in 2007, and I am confident that I can make great strides throughout the rest of the year. Deciding to give it a go is the best decision I ever made. I don't intend ever to stop.

The BJ Show

Herewith a blurb (not written by me, I’m not THAT arrogant about my abilities) advertising the sketch show I’m in next week. Do come if you can.

A FRESH NEW REFRESHINGLY FRESH SHOW WITH FEWER CALORIES

http://www.thebradfordjordanshow.com/

Written/directed/produced by Bradford Jordan of Oxford Imps and Ministry of Mirth fame, the BJ show breaks the boundaries of traditional comedy as it is known in Oxford. This show is not suitable for those under 18 so please leave the little ones at home. With that said, there will be a cash bar so yay! The first half of the production is a unique sketch show combining fluid sketch with music, video, music-video, and improv.

The ensemble cast includes: Oxford Imp Tom Skelton, Stand-up sensation Tom Greeves, The Oxford Revue's Lee Solomons, Musical Masterfingers Ben Leyland, Local Hero Chloe Masterton, Rob "The Hammer" Hemmens, and Three-time Tony Award Winner Mia Finsness.

After intermission there will be improvised comedy featuring Oxford's best improvisers in a non-traditional free-style format rarely seen in improv shows.

The Improv will feature six former and present Oxford Imps.

At only £4, this show is a bargain that is guaranteed to leave you in stitches.

FEBRUARY 26th, 27th, 28th @ the KEBLE O'REILLY THEATRE
BAR OPENS AT 7:30
SHOW BEGINS AT 8:00

Tickets can be reserved in advance by calling 077 66 293 806 or emailing mary.finsness@pmb.ox.ac.uk

Tickets will also be available at each performance but we are doing several publicity stunts in hopes of selling out before then. Go to the site below to check out one recent advertising campaign....

http://www.thebradfordjordanshow.com/

Ben Leyland

Someone I’ve been pleased to get to know in recent months is singer-songwriter Ben Leyland.

This is his site.

I’d also like to draw your attention to this one. The host and I share a love of Kate Rusby.

I'll add both sites to my links. For some reason that's proving difficult at the moment. I have trouble linking to myspace sites.

Sorry I’ve not posted for so long. That’ll change very soon.

Oxford Times

I am featured in the Oxford Times this week. An electronic version is here.

Radio Oxford, Again

I will be on Radio Oxford tomorrow (i.e. Thursday, so today by the time most of you read this) at around 11am.

You should be able to ‘Listen Again’ once the show’s over, for about 24 hours. Click here.

I’m going to promote the Free Beer Show, where I am appearing on Monday 12th February with an all-Oxford cast. That’s at the Cellar, on Frewin Court in Oxford. The day before that I am at the Ministry of Mirth, at the Wheatsheaf. Doors open at 8pm for both.

Update: I was very pleased with the interview. You can click on the link above to listen again. The spot to aim for is 1 hour and ten minutes into the show.

Danny Cox is a splendid fellow.

Happy Birthday Mum!

You're the best. And I love you.

X

Pull Your Finger Out

I apologise for posting so infrequently. I'll try to up my game.

I had a really good gig last night, and so did most of the other comics. Oxford has a rich vein of comic talent. It's nice to be a part of the scene.