Menu

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...

Star of the show is the pathetic Lomov, excellently played by Chris Grimes - with fine comic timing and shades of Stan Laurel.

Chekhov's "The Proposal", Bristol Old Vic

Chris Grimes in particular is comedy personified, capturing the goofy, lugubrious and plain funny sides of human nature with a clownish ease.

"Custer's Last Stand", Salisbury Playhouse

These are conspicuously skilful performers - everyone is exhilarated, on stage and off!

The Guardian - review of Instant Wit

Instant Wit are a team of very funny people who produce a professional, very funny show. This must rank as one of the hits of the Fringe!

Bath Chronicle

This superlative comedy troupe continue to amaze packed houses with extraordinary skills… Instant Wit are a joy to behold, a dream topping of an evening!

Venue Magazine

News Feed

There are few people that have the kind of impact that leaves you stirring for a long while after. Chris Grimes is one of those individuals. His courses are filled with good humour, intellect and thought provocation. Thank you Chris for a brilliant session.

Delegate, Leadership Course, Barclays

Why I work with Chris is that he transforms people - he turns people who can't communicate into people that can.

Tamar Hughes, Learning & Development, Phoenix

Interesting, enlightening, clear - at times confrontational - and also it was very, very funny! With humour you can disarm anyone. Thanks for a great experience.

Managing Director, JP Morgan on "Executive Presence"

Chris delivered an exceptional session on Personal Impact. The one-on-one Coaching session was particularly impressive. I came away with some simple but personally tailored techniques that actually work - and a great deal of respect for Chris.

Delegate on a Leadership course for Barclays

Chris is a fantastic senior level coach. He is a delight to work with - highly personable and engaging, his wit and sense of fun really help to break down barriers, embed skills and increase confidence in a completely painless way.

Cathie Burton, Senior Consultant & Interim Manager

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

  • +44 (0) 7711 644 094
  • chris@chrisgrimes.uk

Spotlight CV