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Chris Grimes initially trained as a drama teacher at the Central School of Speech and Drama, before completing a postgraduate acting course at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, winning the Peter Akerman Prize For Comedy. He has since worked extensively in theatre, radio, television, short films, and voiceover, and has a particular passion for comedy improvision. Since the late ‘80s, he has pursued a portfolio career combing all the transferable skills of being an actor, teacher, trainer, comedy improviser, performer, and coach and applied them to his unique and powerful approach to skills training.

Chris Grimes | Comedy

Chris is the Artistic Director of the highly acclaimed comedy improvisation and corporate entertainment company, Instant Wit, where he runs comedy improvisation masterclasses exploring the underlying technique and enjoyment of improv.

Instant Wit is a highly interactive and creative ‘plug in’ to any corporate conference or client event. They provide pre-dinner, after-dinner, and conference entertainments, either as a break between speakers or as a dedicated slot.

Fresh and inventive, each one of their shows throws up “new nuggets of hilarity crafter by a company of the highest calibre”. It’s full of sketches, songs, and general silliness, all based around improvised audience suggestions.

Their performances regularly appear at the Tobacco Factory, Theatre Royal Bath and Bristol Old Vic.

Chris Grimes | Podcast

Guests are invited onto his podcast, The Good Listening To Show, to share their life and career journeys, revealing intriguing insights, invaluable tips and advice, and heartwarming anecdotes. He invites movers and makers, shakers and mavericks, influencers, and personal heroes from art, education. Business, and popular culture.

Previous guests include performers Chrstopher Biggins, Angie Belcher, John Buchanan, Chris Pirie, Cal MacAninch, and Phelim McDermott; comedians Rosie Holt, Robin Ince, Charlie Higson, Tony Curran, and Eddie Marson; presenters Ross King and Dr Phil Hammond; entrepreneurs David Hieatt and Mac Macartney; sports stars Roger Black and Jo Bradshaw; as well as others such as Somatic worker Genevieve Grant Thompson, diversity speaker Michelle Matherson, and four-times Oscar-winning screenwriter Lesley Paterson.

Chris Grimes | Corporate

Chris has worked in the corporate arena across all levels of seniority for the last 18 years. He specialises in presence and personal impact, “How to become the best that you possibly can be as a communicator.” His passion is using the art of storytelling to help leaders project themselves with a strong sense of energy, clarity & authenticity.

In the last two years, he has coached more than 300 people, and his work has taken him to New York, New Delhi, Kampala, Johannesburg, Paris, Prague, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Vienna, London, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Birmingham.

Contact Us to check availability and fees to book Chris Grimes