IBiC productions
An independent theatre/radio production company formed by Paul, with the help of creative chums.
(IBiC, by the way, stands for I Believe in Clarence, a reference Clarence Odbody, the fictional guardian angel in the 1946 film, It’s a Wonderful Life.)
Current projects:
Harvey Greenfield is Running Late (theatre)
A groundbreaking one-man piece of comedic theatre that asks a simple question: Is it possible to please everyone, all of the time? And at what cost to your family and health? In this fast and frenetic comedy, award-winning writer/performer Paul Richards explores our need to please, and why it's sometimes healthy to, every now and then, just sit in a shed and play Subbuteo by yourself, eating biscuits and listen to Meat Loaf.
“Like an alternative Ferris Bueller…the escalating web of chaos is skilfully scripted in the vein of a classic film comedy. ****” - The Scotsman
Written and performed by Paul Richards, featuring the voices of Alan Hay and Kate Madison, audio recorded by Alan Morgan.
More information can be found here
Three Men and a Bassist (radio/podcast sitcom)
Four teachers, all pushing 40, decide to form one final band in a last-ditch attempt to find rock (with a jazz/country/reggae fusion sound) glory. If only they could agree on…anything. A musical comedy without any music.
Written by Paul Richards. Cast: Liz Barker, Alan Hay, Rory Lowings, Warren Clark and Samantha Billing. Directed by Kate Madison. Recorded by Alan Morgan.
Series one (8 episodes) plus a Christmas special. Listen to the show on Spotify here and on iTunes here.
D List (theatre)
Four B (no, C, no actually...) D-List 'celebrities' are trapped in a cold, soulless warehouse. With no food, no creature comforts, and absolutely no idea who they all are, polite conversation and petty bickering is only interrupted by the odd sound of distant gunshots. But that's fine because it's all for a reality TV show...isn't it? A tense new comedy play.
Written by Paul Richards. Original touring cast: Alex Machell, Emma Howell, Cara McLean, Dylan Cooper.
The Only Drummer in Town (theatre)
It's the final rehearsal before the Little Abingdon Band Competition. The pressure is on: the winner gets an opening slot at the big local festival and airplay at 2am on regional radio. And dreams of major stardom, of course. With three bands through to the final, tensions are high in the local rehearsal complex, particularly when we realise they all share the same drummer... A lively comedy play, told entirely from behind a drumkit. Drummer/storyteller Paul Richards delves deep into the edgy world of local bands, their aspirations and the bond music gives, even for those who thoroughly dislike each other.
Written and performed by Paul Richards, featuring the voices of Alex Machell, Rob Sanders, Emma Howell and Cara McLean.
Is this the end of Edward J.Payne? (theatre)
His father died at 45. His grandfather died at 45. His great grandfather died at 45. His great-great grandfather died at 45, and so on, for as many generations on record. We meet Edward on his 45th birthday but he is in no mood to celebrate. A fast, comedic romp, we follow our panicky hero through 12 chaotic months as he simply attempts to stay alive and break the family curse. Or, is this really the end of Edward J. Payne?
Written and performed by Paul Richards, featuring the voices of Alex Machell, Emma Howell, Izzy Rees, Paul Malpas, Cara McLean and Dylan Cooper.
My Function Band Hell (live show)
A late night, quite shouty, storytelling show written and performed by Paul Richards. Nominated at the Leicester Comedy Festival awards for ‘best musical show’, 2023.
Paul Richards literally can't stop drumming; he's performed all over the world, from huge gigs in China to grotty working men's clubs, posh corporate gigs to the whole of the UK toilet circuit whilst eating more Ginsters slices than could be considered healthy. But is all that driving, alone, late at night, drum kit in the boot, odd smoke coming from the engine, so much time to think, good for your health? A warm storytelling comedy show about why it's often quite degrading to play drums at someone else's wedding.
