Laughter is the Best Medicine 2009

Comedian and star of BBC1’s ‘Not Going Out’, Tim Vine, entertained more than 130 patients and staff at the first ever comedy night hosted by the Charity’s Performing Arts Programme at the end of January 2009.

Guests assembled in the lobby of the Prideaux Lecture Theatre at St Thomas’ Hospital for refreshments and the chance to get their caricature drawn before the show.

During his 45 minute set Tim showed off his record breaking ability to deliver one-liners, interspersed with silly songs and a game of “sheepy uppey” - where a toy sheep was thrown into the audience who tried, with much hilarity, to keep it up in the air for as long as possible.

Meena Agrawal, paediatric surgeon said: “It was a fun evening and helped lift everybody’s spirits. It was also nice for patients and clinical staff to mix outside the hospital wards.”

The free comedy event is planned to become an annual event in the performing arts calendar.

Yvonne Farquharson, Performing Arts Manager said: “Laugher is very therapeutic and helps take people away from their worries. It is great to give people the opportunity to laugh and have fun within a hospital environment, which tends to be a very stressful place for staff, patients and their visitors.

"Our music concerts, storytelling and other performing arts workshops have always been very well received. This show reflects our effort to bring a broader range of performers into the hospital to improve the experience of hospital life.”

"Just to say how much fun we had last night!!! The whole event was well organised and it was such a laugh.
Thank you!"

"He was very funny - I laughed so much I had a sore throat by the end and think my mascara was probably running down my face in an attractive fashion!
Hope you manage to get some other comedy nights organised soon!
Thanks again"