Tom Skelton: 2020 Visions (What If I Hadn't Gone Blind?)

For Disability History Month, comedian Tom Skelton returns to his old lecture theatre - but to make you laugh instead of listen this time!

Tom Skelton

Could you see the funny side to going blind? 12 years after losing most of his sight, ‘deliciously talented’ (Guardian) Oxford Brookes alumnus Tom Skelton looks back and wonders what might've been. But would Tom from 2020 swap places with fantasy Tom with 20:20 vision?

The show looks back at the last decade since Tom lost most of his sight in 2010 due to a genetic condition and explores his regrets, what ifs, and realities of life as a VIP (visually impaired person)!

In 2020, the show won the Perth Fringe World weekly comedy award, sold out its entire run at New Zealand Fringe and received 5-star reviews at Adelaide Fringe. Fresh from a smash hit run at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe, Tom returns to Oxford where he first started doing comedy all those years ago.

'Insightful, hilarious...expertly crafted' ★★★★★ (Tulpa)

Inventive and very enjoyable’ ★★★★ (Mirror)

Sends you back out into the world with a spring in your step’ (Chortle)

About Tom

Tom is a visually impaired comedian who graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2013 with a degree in Politics & International Relations. His sight loss actually happened the year he started at Brookes.

He has fond memories of his time at University and lived in Oxford for many years, which is where his comedy career began.

Tom aims to make people laugh, challenge perceptions about disability and represent the daily struggles and amusements of living with low vision in a way that blind and partially sighted people can often recognise.

Accessibility

This event will take place in the John Henry Brookes Lecture Theatre which is wheelchair accessible.

Toilets: Accessible toilets are available in the main reception.

Parking: For our evening events, limited parking is available at Gipsy Lane from 5.30pm and we allocate this on a first-come, first-served basis with no pre-booking.

Special Requirements: We do our best to accommodate all access needs. If you are attending an event and need the university to help with any mobility requirements you may have, please contact us at alumni@brookes.ac.uk.