
Chris Grimes
Actor. Voiceover. Facilitator. Coach.



My all time comic hero is Stan Laurel. He was the 1st comedian, comic actor and 'vaudevillian' that really made me laugh. I was 7 years old and living in Uganda at the time and I've been grateful to Stan Laurel for his positive influence ever since.
As my inspiration, compass and as a general 'style guide' to everything I do, Stan Laurel reminds me to keep it funny and engaging - to keep it clear and accessible - and above all else - to keep it kind, underpinned by generosity, humility and warmth.
Background
I trained initially as a Drama Teacher at the Central School of Speech & Drama in London, before going on to do the 2 Year Postgraduate Acting course at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, from where I was awarded the Peter Akerman Prize for Comedy.
Since 1988 I have pursued a portfolio career combining all of the transferable skills of being an actor, teacher, trainer, comedy improvisation performer & coach and applied them to my proposition, as to who I am and what I do.
I draw on all of my performance disciplines to inform what has been described as my "unique and powerful approach" to communication skills training and coaching.

Actor & Voiceover
Since 1988 I have worked extensively in theatre, radio, television, short films & voiceovers.
I have a particular passion for Comedy Improvisation. I am Artistic Director of the highly acclaimed Comedy Improvisation & Corporate Entertainment company, Instant Wit.
You can watch and listen to a selection of my showreel material below...
News Feed
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Voiceover
Shaun the Sheep "The Farmer’s Llamas”
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Actor
Historyonics (BBC)
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Actor
UK Gold
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Actor
Washing Machine
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Actor
Wickes
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Voiceover
No Easy Way
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Actor
Knock Knock...
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Actor
Monkeying Around
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Voiceover
Scott
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Voiceover
Beastly Facts
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Voiceover
Jo King
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Actor
Stan Trolley's "Welcome to my Joke Hole!"
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Voiceover
Little Face
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Actor
Stan Trolley's "Crusading Knight"
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Voiceover
Animal Capers
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Actor
Citroen 'Star'
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Coaching
"Networking"
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Coaching
"Shark Dolphin, Radiator or Drain?"
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Voiceover
Win a Water Butt!
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Actor
Historyonics (BBC)


Facilitator & Coach
I have worked in the Corporate arena - across all levels of seniority, both with individuals and teams - for the last 18 years.
I specialise in Presence & Personal Impact: How to become the best that you possibly can be as a communicator.
My passion is using the art of storytelling to help leaders project themselves with a strong sense of energy, clarity & authenticity.
In the last 2 years alone, I have coached more than 300 people and my work has taken me to - amongst other places - New York, New Delhi, Kampala, Johannesburg, Paris, Prague, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Vienna, London, Edinburgh, Manchester & Birmingham.
Specialities pertaining to Performance Coaching & Training:
Personal Impact; Executive Presence; Leadership; Storytelling; Emotional Intelligence & Relationship Building; Team Working; Personal Brand; Networking; Influencing; Motivating & Inspiring; Public/Keynote Speaking and Presentation Skills.
I also frequently run Comedy Improvisation Masterclasses to explore the underlying technique and enjoyment of Comedy Improvisation along with its “yes and...” mindset and attitude to decision making & creativity. See instantwit.co.uk for more information.

InstantWit
"The Unusual Suspects": The great escape from the Comedy Police continues! instantwit.co.uk


Coaching for Clarity
Performance Coaching & Communication Skills Training Company, run in partnership with fellow communication skills consultant & coach, Tom Cassidy. secondcurve.uk
Chris Grimes
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Current Projects
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Acting Agent
Janet Welch Personal Management
01761 463 238 / 07759 688 638