Every time I phone my mum to tell her I’m coming to visit, she tells me to bring laundry. I am 34. I can do my own washing, and I’m pretty good with a steam iron if I do say so myself. I’ve come a long way since my Oxfordshire childhood.
When I was 10, my family moved to East Hendred. As a youth, the only boards I trod were those of the school basketball court. I’m a comedian now, but to be honest back then I was less of the class clown, more of the class clever clogs. Alright, I was a nerd.
Despite my maturity when it comes to housework – my wife might tell you otherwise – my sense of humour is somewhat childish. That came in handy when writing our show, Bec and Tom’s Awesome Laundry, which we are delighted to be bringing to Didcot Cornerstone this Sunday, June 14th. When I say we (ha-ha, “wee”... I did warn you) I do not mean the royal we (ha-ha, “royal wee”...sorry). My partner in craziness is the wonderfully talented Australian comedian, Bec Hill.
Bec and I met at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2009. Our paths would cross regularly while flyering for our shows. One day she had lost her voice – not unusual for those doing hour long shows every day for a month – and I could only ask her yes/no questions. She would reply by stamping once for yes and twice for no. It must have left a lasting impression because three years later she asked if I wanted to try doing comedy for children. I stamped once and the rest is history.
Bec and I have a few things in common. Bec’s won awards, I’ve won awards. Bec’s from Australia, I’ve gigged in Australia. Bec has been on CBBC’s The Dog Ate My Homework. I’ve seen a dog. We also share a love of silliness. The show is suitable for kids aged 5-11, but really we wrote it for ourselves. We spent several weekends sitting in each other’s flats, being utterly daft, writing down the bits that made us laugh most, and then making sure there were no naughty words. OK, it’s a bit more complicated than that, but that’s the core of it!
Thankfully, we’re not the only adults that find it funny. Due to popular demand we did a late night “no kids allowed” version at the Edinburgh Fringe which sold out and won us an award! As we’ve toured the show, the responses from the kids and parents around the country have been so rewarding. Now we get to bring the show to my old neighbourhood. I’ve performed in Oxfordshire before, hosting comedy gigs in Blewbury, Wallingford and Dorchester. But this is the big one.
On 14 June, I’m coming home. This time I’m bringing laundry.
Bec and Tom’s Awesome Laundry is at the Cornerstone, Didcot, on Sunday at 2pm. Visit cornerstone-arts.org
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