Jun 133 min read

Au bord de la mer...

Surprise, surprise!

(Insert image / vocals of the late Cilla Black for a day-long earworm 😂)

I love a day punctuated by surprises; it’s akin to fab punchlines in a comedy set.

I hadn’t planned anything for my birthday, other than take my amazing mum on a whist holiday. However, messages galore on social media (thank you everyone), surprise birthday cards, a mini cream tea (one half Devon and the other Cornwall), a dessert topped with a burning candle rocket, a huge win at cards and a cheeky gin at the end of the day, made my day. Cheers everyone! Here’s to another crazy but creative year.

So good to provide a few pleasant surprises, too. Congratulations to the comedians at last week’s Comedy Mash-Up at The Exeter City Gate Hotel. All of them packed in plenty of punches and it was fun doing a workshop before the gig - plus the surprise: three sets with musical ditties - absolutely wonderful! Thanks to Greg Towning for the fab photos 😉.

Thanks also to everyone for their support during the last twelve months, including the many new comedians who have hit the circuit with a huge build in confidence; our superb audiences who have been with us for over ten stand-up comedy nights - we could not have done it without you! And to our very accommodating hosts @sundowners @citygate and @TheParadeNightclub - thanks to you all.

We began the Mash-Ups a year ago at Exmouth’s Sundowners. The comedians have grown in confidence, and we are hugely grateful to all the people who have, and continue to support the venture along the way.

We return to Sundowners on Wednesday 3 July – yes, the night before the General Election. We will need some laughs! So, join a bunch of fab comedians who will be belting out their best sets and helping to raise some money for Transition Exmouth.

I shall be running, alongside Claire Hadfield, an exciting new event at the fun-filled Exmouth Festival on Friday 19 July - a playful re-wilding of Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The voluntary participants - YOU - can come along and play: characters, objects, places or events in the bards tale of shipwreck and magic. They can choose to become an enchanted forest, a lovestruck fairy, a boat in a storm, or even the storm itself.

Come and Join us in the Circus Tent at 6pm on Friday 19 July. Suitable for all. FREE.

Stand alone workshop comedy classes will be kicking off in July and August. Watch this space… and look out for our next Exeter Comedy Mash-Up and workshop at The City Gate Hotel, Thursday 25 July.

EARLY BIRD, EARLY BIRD - TAKE ADVANTAGE!

Lots of people asking about my next course - September. Click the links for info and booking. Get booking soon as spaces are limited.

As usual, a huge thanks for your support from Maggie and the team :)