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THOS RIBBITS has been in his time a lyricist and playwright, a broadcaster, a comedy writer, and deeply irritating self-referential non-entity. And it always was in his own time, as by day he holds down a job as one of the most civil of all civil servants in the United Kingdom.
Whilst his peers were tapping their heavy feet to pop music, he fell in love with Gilbert and Sullivan at the age of fifteen (though they were considerably older) and then progressed along the history of standards and musicals through George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Johnny Mercer, on to Stephen Sondheim and all points North. His knowledge of musicals is extensive, though his ability to highlight his remaining areas of ignorance through conversation is a wonder of the modern world.
He has always written comedy and comic lyrics; many of his songs have been performed in cabaret, including on one occasion to an audience containing the Princess Royal. It was from this a short step to begin writing musicals and with his friend, Tim Saward, he has been responsible for two pantomusicals, Dracula – the Vampire Strikes Back (2003) and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Make Mine a Double (2005). They have also worked together writing songs for Jack and the Beanstalk (2004) and Ali Baba and the Four Tea Leaves (2006) as well as many cabaret songs of phenomenal variety (if only in terms of quality) which they occasionally perform.
Thos has had an extensive acting career as follows: Snow White (1976): Front end of pantomime horse (promoted from back end after illness of original performer), Dracula - the Vampire Strikes Back (2003), Lord Lastic (voice only), Second From Last in the Sack Race (2005), a radio (voice only), Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde- Make Mine a Double (2005), Mr Fettes (voice only). Can you see a pattern?
In real life, Thos is a blithering idiot.
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