Radio & Theatre
As a kid, it was always my ambition to write and perform comedy. Eventually, I met a few like-minded people...
Photo: Jess Jones
As The Cheese Shop (you're right, it's a terrible name) we wrote and performed sell-out shows in Edinburgh and London throughout the 1990s, filmed a load of stuff for the Paramount Comedy Channel, and had four series of sketch shows on BBC Radio 4. And no, I didn't win the race. I'm the one lagging behind, far right.
In 1996, I wrote and performed my first one-man play, 'The Snail Inside', the semi-autobiographical tale of a man who wants to be a snail. After succesful runs in Edinburgh and London (directed by Mary Considine), the show eventually turned into 'At Home With The Snails', a late-night comedy series on BBC Radio 4, also starring Angela Thorne, Miranda Hart, and the late, great Geoffrey Palmer...
Between 1999 and 2002 I was also a regular performer in 'The Sitcom Trials', doing sell-out shows in Edinburgh, London and on tour around the country.
In 2002, I wrote and performed in 'God In A Box' (again directed by Mary Considine). After successful three-week runs at the Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh and Barons Court Theatre, London, I adapted it for BBC Radio 4, and it was broadcast as an Afternoon Play in 2004.
In 2006, I wrote 'Be Prepared' a 4 x 30 min comedy series, again broadcast on BBC Radio 4, and regularly repeated on BBC 4 Extra.
In 2013, I returned to writing for radio with 'Little Monster', a 30 min broadcast pilot for BBC Radio 4, starring Sarah Hadland, Rufus Jones and Cariad Lloyd.
In 2011, I wrote and produced a rehearsed reading of 'Faith School', at the Tristan Bates Theatre, London. Directed by Maggie Inchley, it starred Dave Lamb, Issy Suttie, Ella Kenion, Barney Power, Jeff Mirza and Margaret Cabourn-Smith (none of whom are pictured here).
Other BBC radio work includes hundreds of sketches and songs on the likes of 'Dead Ringers', 'Weekending' and 'Parsons & Naylor's Pullout Sections' plus 'Roddy & Sam', a 30 min comedy starring Robert Webb, broadcast as an episode of Kay Stonham's 'Audiodiaries' comedy series.