theatre/writing
A comedy writer/performer based in Cambridge, Paul has written 35 shows (over a period of 16 years) that have somehow ended up at the Edinburgh Fringe festival. These include comedic theatre offerings Harvey Greenfield is Running Late, Little Sparks, Some Plays by Paul Richards, Probably the Greatest Goal Ever Scored and two shows for the character, Oscar Pike.
His plays have been published in the UK and Canada, and have been performed all over the world. Well, mostly the UK, the US and once in South Africa. Paul is the founding member of theatre group, IBiC Productions, more information here.
Paul’s 2018 show, Short Plays for Marvellous People won an award, whilst his 2019 one-man play, Harvey Greenfield is Running Late has been lauded by both The Scotsman and the BBC, had a run in the heart of London’s West End following three hugely successful weeks at the Edinburgh Fringe and is being made into a feature-film, which premiered at the Dublin International Comedy Film Festival and won three awards whilst there. More details of Harvey Greenfield is Running Late can be found here. The follow-up, Harvey Greenfield is Getting Married, ran at the fringe in 2022 to critical acclaim, as much as Paul doesn’t like it as much and he’s now back touring the first one.
Paul’s other 2022 show, My Function Band Hell, ran for a month at the Edinburgh Fringe and was later nominated for ‘best musical comedy’ at the Leicester Comedy Festival in 2023.
Paul took his one-man play, Is This the End of Edward J. Payne to New York in June 2023, running for four gloriously sweaty nights, before an inevitable run in Edinburgh.
His current show, a percussion-led comedy, The Only Drummer in Town, opened at the Brighton Fringe in 2023 and is touring throughout 2024.
Paul tours the UK frequently including, in 2017, a tour which saw him travel from the Portland Island (Weymouth) to the Shetland Islands (Scotland, and then up a fair bit) using public transport only, using his box drum as a suitcase.
50 Ways to Leave Your Drummer; Paul’s bizarre film/total and utter breakdown, in which he spent 18 months trying to get sacked by 50 bands, premiered at the Arts Picturehouse, Cambridge in November 2015. Those to have ‘fired’ Paul for the movie include Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson, John Otway, Frank Turner, Heaven 17, Nik Kershaw and comedian Arthur Smith. Paul then turned the concept into a late-night stage-show, which ran for 22 nights at the Banshee Labyrinth during the 2016 fringe.
A Band At Sea; Paul’s debut novel, is a love story about a suicidal bassist forced to play in a covers band on a cruise liner. It was released in November 2016 and follows his popular collection of short stories, The Stationery Seller.
Contact: thepaulrichards@gmail.com
Harvey Greenfield is Running Late info here
IBiC Productions info here
Full show archive here
press/reviews
“Like an alternative Ferris Bueller…the escalating web of chaos is skilfully scripted in the vein of a classic film comedy. ****” - The Scotsman (on Paul’s show, Harvey Greenfield is Running Late)
”There are no number of stars that can describe spending an hour with the explosive bundle of nervous energy that is Harvey Greenfield AKA Paul Richards…a fascinating continuation of an ongoing on-stage off-stage saga.” - The Scotsman (on Paul’s show, Harvey Greenfield is Getting Married)
"Paul Richards brings energy in abundance and charmingly, wittily, tells his tale, but the tale is a cautionary one : ignore strains upon your mental health at your peril. It is most definitely a Fringe show for our times and is highly recommended." - FringeReview (on Paul’s show, Harvey Greenfield is Running Late - 'Highly Recommended Show' - Brighton Fringe 2023)
“Richards seems to have comic energy to burn…he makes Lee Evans seems narcoleptic by comparison. The result is mostly laugh-out-loud, but punctuated with sorrow. Ingeniously written and powerfully performed. “ - The Swindonian (on Paul’s show, Harvey Greenfield is Running Late)
”Such an amazing performance. A must experience show.” - Sure Marchant - BBC Radio Cambridgeshire (on Paul’s show, Harvey Greenfield is Running Late)
"This riotously funny show might just be the funniest hour you spend at this year's fringe. Everyone was in stitches throughout." - The Write Angle (on Paul’s show, The Complete History of Pop in an Hour)
"Funny, poignant, unbelievably energetic (I was knackered just watching you!). Loved it." - Barnstaple Theatrefest review (on Paul’s show, Harvey Greenfield is Running Late)
”An intricately constructed show that inspires both belly laughs and heartache. Paul Richards plays Harvey, whose kind heart is out of control. Running as fast as he can to meet the needs of those he loves - and avoid the demands of those he’d rather leave behind - Harvey never quite makes time to deal with his own issues of loneliness, insecurity, and bafflement at a world that seems too big for him. It’s true fringe: no set, one man and some impressive voiceover cameos by two actors, playing I lost count of how many characters, but the superb writing and Richards’ gawky, engaging, and fearlessly truthful presence raise it from storytelling comedy to proper drama. His delivery is hyperspeed and relentless – I ended the show feeling I’d missed some of the many layers, but that just made me want to see it again. Well worth the hour spent.” - Michelle Golder - Pivotal (on Paul’s show, Harvey Greenfield is Running Late)
"The script is always fresh...its hilarity burns through constantly, without ever fizzling out." - Tychy blog (on Paul's show, Little Sparks)
“Sweet, grounded and self-deprecating...Paul delivers his stories with a genuine honesty that is immediately endearing.” – Heckler magazine (on Paul’s show, Things Could Be Marvellous)
"The fastest dictation in the west! Poignant, acutely observed comedy which prompts both laughter and introspection." - Barnstaple Theatrefest review (on Paul’s show, Short Plays for Marvellous People)
"Watching Paul Richards on stage is quite a dynamic experience...despite the apparently chaotic nature of the show and the performer, the writing underpinning everything was particularly artful and layered...there are real fleeting moments of wistful melancholy. A puppy wired on own-brand energy drink, you wouldn’t believe he ever sleeps, not once you’ve seen him on stage." - The Swindonian (on Paul’s show, Short Plays for Marvellous People)
“Paul delivers his stories with heart-warming honesty…Paul Richards constantly makes you smile – **** ” – Get Reading (on Paul’s show, Getting Lost in my Hometown)
"Paul Richards’ musical style of comedy will sit well with an audience who likes their comedy with a dash of whimsy; simple yet imaginative, it’s a charming show that’ll tickle you silly." - Visit Dublin (on Paul’s show, One Man and a Box)
A long interview with Paul from Quench magazine can be found HERE
published plays
Bed (One Act Play Depot, Canada)
Growing Up with Martin (Lazy Bee Scripts, UK)
Crackerjoke Writer (Lazy Bee Scripts, UK)
Frank’s Aim is True (One Act Play Depot, Canada)
With Arms Outstretched (One Act Play Depot, Canada)
tour/fringe shows
But We Said We Weren’t Doing Presents This Year (full cast) (2023) (Cambridge and London run)
The Paul Richards Playhouse (with Alex Machell) (2023, Edinburgh Fringe, Cambridge run)
Is This the end of Edward J. Payne? (solo) (2023, Brighton Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe, New York run)
The Only Drummer in Town (solo) (2023 - present, Brighton Fringe)
D-List (full cast) (2023, Brighton Fringe)
Git (with Vikki Jones) (2022, Edinburgh Fringe)
My Function Band Hell (solo) (2022 - present, Edinburgh Fringe, Leicester Comedy Festival)
Choir? (with Rachel Creeger) (2022, Edinburgh Fringe)
Harvey Greenfield is Getting Married (solo) (2022, tour, Edinburgh Fringe)
Harvey Greenfield is Running Late (solo) (2019 - present, 3 UK tours and Edinburgh Fringe, West End performances, 3 Brighton Fringe runs, feature film)
All of this Must Count for Something (solo) (2019, Edinburgh Fringe)
Comedians Learning How to Play Drums (with Kate Madison and guests) (2018, Edinburgh Fringe)
If in Doubt, Listen to Joe Jackson (solo) (2018, Edinburgh Fringe)
Little Sparks (full cast) (2018, Edinburgh Fringe, Corpus Playroom residency)
Short Plays for Marvellous People (solo) (2018, tour, Edinburgh Fringe)
One Man and a Box (solo) (2017, tour, Edinburgh Fringe)
12 Stories About Britpop (solo) (2017, Edinburgh Fringe)
The Complete History of Pop in an Hour (with Rachel Creeger) (2017- 2019, Edinburgh Fringe, UK/Ireland tour, West End performances)
Will: The Bad Boy of Trad-Jazz-Funk Fusion (solo) (2017, Edinburgh Fringe)
Paul Richards Is The Least Of Your Problems (solo) (2016 tour, Edinburgh Fringe)
The Make Or Break Mixtape (2015-2016 Edinburgh Fringe)
The Rix, Rees And Richards Radio Show (with Izzy Rees and Matt Rix) (2015, Edinburgh Fringe)
Paul Richards: Inadequate Man (solo) (2015, tour, Edinburgh Fringe)
The Moments Of Madness That Make Us (solo show) (2014, Edinburgh Fringe)
The Paul Richards Disasters (full cast) (2014, Edinburgh Fringe)
Getting Lost In My Hometown (solo show) (2014, tour, Edinburgh Fringe)
Some Christmas Plays By Paul Richards (with Hind Shubber) (2013, tour)
Things Could Be Marvellous (solo) (2013, Edinburgh Fringe)
Redundancy Club (with Izzy Rees) (2013, Edinburgh Fringe)
Some Plays By Paul Richards (with Hind Shubber) (2012-2013, Edinburgh Fringe, tour)
There’s Absolutely Nothing Wrong With Oscar Pike (full cast) (2012, Edinburgh Fringe)
Probably The Greatest Goal Ever Scored (full cast) (2012, Edinburgh Fringe, First Draft Theatre 6-night London residency)
Is It Too Late To Save Oscar Pike? (full cast) (2011, Edinburgh Fringe)
Cat Food (full cast) (2010, Brighton Fringe)
With Arms Outstretched (full cast) (2009, Edinburgh Fringe)
Drop Me With Dignity (full cast) (2009, Brighton Fringe)
The Knowledge Of Beauty (full cast) (2008, Brighton, Buxton and Edinburgh Fringe)
Frank’s Aim Is True (full cast) (2007, Edinburgh Fringe)
Letters to Sparkle (full cast) (2007, WriteBites @ RADA, Old Queens Head Theatre (London), BBC Radio Cambridgeshire broadcast)
Crackerjoke Writer (full cast) (2007, London residency, World’s End Players (several performances), Thurrock Courts Players,TopHats - RAF Halton, Parkway West High School)
Bed (full cast) (2007, Brighton Fringe)
Growing Up With Martin (full cast) (2006, Edinburgh Fringe)
sitcoms
Three Men and a Bassist (2020 - present, Spotify/iTunes, 8 episodes + Christmas special, launched in June 2020) LISTEN
And Then Things Got Complicated For Emily & Michael (2014, YouTube, 2 series) WATCH
feature films
Harvey Greenfield is Running Late (adaptation by Jonnie Howard of Paul’s play) (2022)
Edinburgh in August: A Fringe Festival Diary (2020) WATCH
50 Ways To Leave Your Drummer (2015) WATCH
Christmas With Emily And Michael (2014) WATCH
books
Nobody is Making Me Do This (2023)
A Band At Sea (2016)
My Car Doesn’t Do Hills (2014)
The Stationery Seller (2014)
The Twelve Monologues of Christmas (2013)
podcasts
A lengthy interview with Paul on the OutLuke On Life podcast (recorded in 2019) can be heard HERE
