Tomos Roberts

Tomos Roberts (born Tomos Rhys Francis Roberts, 18 April 1994) is a London-based writer, creative director, filmmaker, actor, performance artist and poet. Welsh culture heritage, New Zealander by birth, Tomos studied English Literature and Drama at the University of Manchester. During his schooling, Tomos co-founded Odds On Productions, working as a filmmaker, Hilda - an Official Selection of the Raindance Film Festival (2019). Since then, Tomos has focused on writing his first feature screenplay, Blaggers - the story of a young poet and his manager-mate descending on the streets of London with nothing but an eloquence with words and the power of persuasive speech. Whilst writing the film, Tomos decided to try out his material under the Probably Tomfoolery brand.
Picking up on a stint of politics written during his time at university, Tomos performed live around Manchester and London, and created web content to pair with his poetry.
On 22 March 2020, Tomos launched his YouTube online video platform and, five weeks later (29 April 2020), created and uploaded his, now, internationally acclaimed spoken word poem, The Great Realisation. To date, the latter has been viewed over 60 million times across multiple social networking sites and has been transcribed independently into various languages from every corner of the globe (including Arabic, Hebrew, German language, Spanish language, French language, Italian language and Russian language). Additionally, since its release, Tomos' poem has garnered newspaper and magazine article (publishing)(Condé Nast Traveller, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, Evening Standard, The New Zealand Herald, The Washington Post), TV interviews (CNN's Erin Burnett OutFront, CNN Philippines, India Today, Today with Hoda & Jenna), high-profile testimonials (Drew Barrymore, Jake Gyllenhaal, Jennifer Aniston) and thousands of messages of appreciation from around the world.
Within weeks of the poem's online debut, Egmont Books and HarperCollins (US) purchased the World English Language copyright published it as a picture book. The Great Realisation was also publishing simultaneously by HarperCollins India and by HarperCollins Australia (in Australia and New Zealand).
Tomos was born in Auckland, New Zealand, though at the age of one, his family moved to Montreal, Canada. After three years in Montreal, Tomos' family settled in London, England. Tomos studied at St Michael's Church of England primary school (in the London borough of Wandsworth) and attended high school at Saint Cecilia's Church of England School. He continued his studies at the University of Manchester, earning a degree in English Literature and Drama. During this time, Tomos also pursued writing poetry, whilst performing small, spoken word shows around Manchester and London. In his final year of university, Tomos co-founded Odds on Productions with fellow students Rishi Pelham, Dylan Zarrella and Michael Honnah. Their debut film Hilda went into production in 2017 and premiered at London’s Raindance Film Festival in 2019.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tomos created social media video for various corporations, though when demand for these skills began to wane, Tomos relied anew on his poetry. During the resulting COVID-19 lockdown, Tomos would write and produce The Great Realisation.
Composed by Tomos for his younger brother (Cai) and sister (Sora), The Great Realisation is a bedtime story (poem) of hope and optimism in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Set in a more equitable, kindness|kinder and sustainability|sustainable future world, and against the backdrop of a pair of cotton clouds, a big brother (Tomos) reads a poem to his curious, younger sibling (Cai), under the flickering light of a candle. The bedtime story|story tracks through the pre-Covid-19 pandemic|pandemic world (in which people once lived), the COVID-19|virus-impelled COVID-19 lockdown|lockdown, and finally, the emergence of a better, more sustainable world community|global community. Finding hope amidst a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic|pandemic is underscored through everyday citizens' abilities to adapt to a new way of living, whilst finding happiness in unanticipated places, shedding old habits and pondering what truly matters in life. The Great Realisation also highlights the many, simple acts of kindness and the heroic efforts of essential, key worker|frontline workers.
To date, The Great Realisation has been viewed over 60 million times across multiple social networking sites and has been transcribed independently into various languages from every corner of the globe. Tomos' poem has also garnered widespread media (communication)|media attention, high-profile testimonials|endorsements and thousands of messages of appreciation. Within weeks of its release (29 April 2020), Egmont Books and HarperCollins (US) purchased the World English Language copyright|rights to The Great Realisation and publishing|published it as a picture book.
In Pandora, the Fool & the Box, Tomos stumbles upon a young lady in the forest. She is visibly mental distress|distraught and introduces herself as Pandora. She's in possession of a box, which she has previously opened. In doing so, Pandora has unleashed suffering, cruelty and disease into the world. As she's about to reopen her box, Tomos decides to flee and return to the safety of his home. To his surprise (emotion)|surprise, however, Pandora's box is now lying atop his kitchen table (furniture)|table. A paranormal|mysterious voice from within the box encourages Tomos to open it so as to release what remains. He obliges and discovery (observation)|discovers that any box which holds luck|misfortune and adversity may also contain hope.
Tomos' composition (language)|composition is reminiscent of the mythology|mythological narrative|tale of Pandora's box.
Two Mice was the first poem ever written and performed by Tomos. He did so for a school assignment at the age of 14. The poem's theme (narrative)|theme is contentment.
The animation of Two Mice was done by Rosa Beiroa, whilst the sound design and musical composition were produced/created by Sam Gee and Katie Phillips, respectfully.
Tomos partnered with Ecoalf in writing and narrating, On Your Sleeve - a poem depicting Mother Nature's assessment of mankind's role regarding environmental degradation, most notably during annual traditions. Through Tomos' words, Mother Nature also encourages the planet's citizens to be the change they wish to see in the world - for themselves and for future generation|generations.
Written by Tomos in collaboration with the Evening Standard (ES), the text of this composition was shared with his online followers (including ES readers), who were then encouraged to submit a video of themselves reciting the poem. Tomos gathered the hundreds of submissions and transformed them into a collaboration|collaborative melody of voices, paired with their on-screen visages - each one narration|narrating a portion of the poem. A handful of celebrities including, Phillip Schofield, Verdine White and Dia Mirza also contributed to the project.
The Inventor In his poem, The Inventor, Tomos describes his invention as a new, hope|hopeful society - one in which rights and freedoms are afforded every citizen, one with humanistic sociology|humanistic goals, one where skin pigmentation isn't utilised as a means to oppression|oppress, and one where healthcare and education are universal healthcare|universal and free. Governments would also be more responsive to their citizens' needs, large corporations would focus more on innovation (without requiring global domination), the arts would be held in high esteem and children would be encouraged to explore their imagination|imaginations and creativity|creative abilities. Tomos reminds potential skeptics that such a society is not beyond their grasp, though all would need to play their respective part.
==What Are You Drawing? (2020)==
What Are You Drawing? is a spoken word poem written and performed by Tomos in collaboration with Vogue Italia. The text of the poem was featured in the magazine's June 2020 Edition entitled, Our New World, whilst the accompanying video recitation was included on the publication's website|online site - a first of its kind for Vogue (magazine)|Vogue. Tomos' verses pay tribute to the imagination and point of view (philosophy)|perspective of children throughout the world.
|While You Were Sleeping Tomos teamed up with OneHumanity (OHM) Live and the Constellation Dream Fund in a global, 24-hour fundraiser for beneficiaries such as the Global Gift Foundation, Doctors Without Borders (Médecins sans frontières), Dubai Cares, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement - organisations supporting those on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic. Tomos was featured amongst an ensemble cast|ensemble of over 150 worldwide celebrities, including Dua Lipa, Jason Derulo, Ceelo Green, Leona Lewis, Jewel (singer)|Jewel, Avril Lavigne, Eva Longoria, Deepak Chopra, Ronan Keating and Pixie Lott.
In the recitation of his poem (While You Were Sleeping), Tomos details a unanimity|unanimous, one-of-a-kind bill (law)|bill, passed throughout the evening hours (whilst the listener was sleeping). This legislation contains the promise of a society with less social inequality|inequality, reduced suffering and increased patience. It provides for environmental protection|environmental protections, the tree planting|planting of trees and hunt-free habitats. The adoption of universal healthcare, nuclear disarmament, a world without hunger and a kinder, gentler community of nations is also included within this new framework agreement|framework.
==A Tale of Two Mindsets (2020)==
A Tale of Two Mindsets is a spoken word poem which underscores the dichotomy of optimism versus pessimism. The two characters (both played by Tomos) debate the merits of their arguments, though ultimately, the optimistic mindset states that society could do much better, if only, amidst the bad, people would pull together, be love|loving, wisdom|wiser and more kindness|kind. The culmination of the discourse is reached when the optimist declares that, "I'd rather be an optimist proved wrong than a pessimist proved right."
In response to an ITV News London initiative which asked a few of London's poet|poets to describe how their city is coping with the coronavirus crisis, Tomos submitted his spoken word performance entitled, The Night My Street Started Clapping - an ode to the National Health Services (NHS). Tomos provides a brief history of the NHS - the publicly-funded health care systems of the United Kingdom - founded in 1948 by a Member of Parliament named, Aneurin Bevan. Though he was initially opposed by fellow politicians, prominent newspapers and numerous physicians|doctors, Aneurin Bevan|Bevan - the son of a Welsh culture|Welsh coal miner - would eventually achieve his dream. Tomos also encourages his audience, once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, to avoid returning to the status quo and to remember the evening of 26 March 2020 - the night the streets of London started clapping for the NHS.
==The Strangest of Times (2020)==
In The Strangest of Times, Tomos calls on all to help play their part to flatten the curve in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. He encourages others to adopt healthier lifestyle (sociology)|lifestyles including, exercise routines or smoking cessation. Tomos reminds the listener that humans|humankind is not impotent in the face of adversity. As such, he underscores the need for helpfulness, rationality, kindness and wisdom.
=Spoken Word Poetry (Miscellaneous)=
==Healthy Futures - Tomfoolery for Southern Cross (2020)==
In collaboration with New Zealand health insurer, Southern Cross Healthcare Group (New Zealand)|Southern Cross, Tomos poetically highlights their 2020 Healthy Futures Report. As such, he praises New Zealand's determination in addressing the struggles of people learning to adapt to life post-COVID-19 lockdowns|lockdown. Tomos also discusses some positive impacts (detailed in the Report) resulting from said challenges, including how New Zealanders have benefitted from additional sleep, have increased their physical activity and have begun talking to each other more often.
==Back In My Day (2020)==
Tomos performed this spoken word poem at Sofar Sounds (London). In reminiscing about his grandmother's catchphrase - Back in my day... - Tomos imagines a future when he'll describe to his kinship|children and kinship|grandchildren what life was like for him, whilst growing up. Overconsumption, materialism, overfishing, senseless wars, underfunded healthcare, extreme social inequality|inequality, limited opportunities and environmental degradation represent, facetiously, the best highlights of his day.
==London's Mourning (2017)==
London's Mourning was written and performed by Tomos following the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. Throughout his recitation, Tomos suggests that blame be attributed to a neglect of funding, social inequality|societal inequalities, inordinate austerity as well as governance for the wealthy few. He concludes with a demand for a criminal inquest rather than a conventional inquiry, whilst providing his own initial verdict: corporate manslaughter.
==The Strong and Stable Three-Legged Table (2017)==
The Strong and Stable Three-Legged Table is a satirical fable written and performed by Tomos following the 2017 UK General Election. It chronicles the lead-up to the aforementioned contest with the use of characters such as a wicked old queen named, Mabel (Theresa May), a humble, wise man named, Jeremy (Jeremy Corbin), a former king named, David (David Cameron) in addition to a metaphorical, unstable table. Mabel had ruled for some time, but had never been election|elected. Despite this, she cut healthcare, housing and education, whilst implementing tax breaks for the wealthy. Meanwhile, Jeremy is described as a hardworking individual who had laid out a thoughtful plan and had endeavoured to help all neglected citizen|citizens. As election day approached, Mabel's lead was slashed and her table quickly became unstable as one of its legs collapsed. In the end, Jeremy fell short, though Mabel had suffered a serious blow. Requiring a replacement leg (for her table), Mabel would fashion one with the help of an Irish culture|Irish government coalition|coalition, though the table remained vulnerable to future political campaign|campaigns.
==Mayday (2017)==
This spoken word poem highlights the two main candidates for the 2017 UK General Election - Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn. Tomos details, through his poetry, Jeremy Corbyn|Corbyn's manifesto and progressivism|progressive agenda, whilst skewering Theresa May|May's platform and unwillingness to partake in national debates.
==Maybe Not (2017)==
Maybe Not serves as pre-election (2017 UK General Election) plea to young voter|voters. Tomos offers up a critique of then-candidate, Theresa May (UK Conservative Party), whilst supporting the candidacy of UK Labour Party|Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn.
==The World Stage (2017)==
The World Stage is a spoken word poem written and performed by Tomos. Alongside an orchestra, Tomos delivers a sardonic ode to English football.
==Stand Up Be Counted (2015)==
Tomos partook in Sky News' Stand Up Be Counted (SUBC) tour, which travelled across the UK, encouraging young voter|voters to have their voices heard ahead of the 2015 UK General Election. In this performance, Tomos muses aloud whether he should vote for David Cameron (UK Conservative Party), Edward Miliband (UK Labour Party) or Nicholas Clegg (UK Liberal Democrats).
=Books & Publications=
==The Great Realisation (HarperCollins)==
Written as a bedtime story|bedtime poem and first performed online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Great Realisation was composed by Tomos for his younger brother (Cai) and sister (Sora). Within weeks of its release (29 April 2020), Egmont Books and HarperCollins (US) purchased the World English Language copyright|rights to Tomos' poem and publishing|published it as a picture book. The Great Realisation offers a glimpse of a more equitable, kindness|kinder and sustainability|sustainable world, along with a message of hope, psychological resilience|resilience and renewal.
The book's illustrations were created by award-winning artist, Nomoco.
==What Are you Drawing? (Vogue Italia)==
What Are You Drawing? was written by Tomos and commissioned for the June 2020 edition of Vogue Italia entitled, Our New World. Tomos' poem pays tribute to the imagination and perspective of children throughout the world. The inclusion of a poem and an accompanying online video of its recitation (by Tomfoolery) were firsts for Vogue magazine|Vogue.
=Filmography=
==Blaggers==
File:BLAGGERS - MOVIE POSTER - Probably Tomfoolery Ltd.jpg|175px|thumb|Blaggers - Movie Poster
From the glow of a streetlamp to a spotlit stage (theatre)|stage, a young poet and his manager-mate descend upon the streets of London with nothing but an eloquence with words and the power of persuasive speech. They're blaggers who set a course for the top, but when stakes rise and chaos ensues, all that's left to do is to choose their words.
Blaggers Rights was the screenplay's previous, working title, though this was changed to Blaggers in 2020.
A table read of the screenplay|script's first draft was performed in March 2020.
Blaggers is represented by Creative Artists Agency.
Director: 	Tomos Roberts
Writer: 	Tomos Roberts
Producer: 	Tomos Roberts
Production Company:	Odds On Productions
Genre: 	Drama, Coming of Age
Runtime: 	TBD / Feature Length
Release Date: 	TBD
==Hilda==
Hilda is a British English|British drama set in modern-day London, England. It depicts the tempestuous life of an aspiring dancer (Hilda) and the personal struggles impeding the fulfillment of her dreams, whilst grappling with a family in tumult. Nearing the completion of her final year of college, Hilda's aspirations reach rock bottom as she is forced to contend with the abandonment from her parents and the dependency of her younger siblings. Thrust into isolation and amidst a society that is ultimately indifferent to her plight, Hilda must sacrifice her dreams and innocence in order to care for those dependent on her. Hilda ultimately relies on dance to thwart the enclosing chaos.
Hilda had its World Premiere at the Raindance Film Festival (London)in 2019 and is represented by Creative Artists Agency.
Director: 	Rishi Pelham
Writer: 	Rishi Pelham
Producers: 	Nassim Mniai, Tomfoolery (as Tomos Roberts)
Production Company: 	Odds On Productions
Genre: 	Drama, Coming of Age, Dance
Runtime: 	1hr 45min / Feature Film
Release Date: 	2019 (UK)
Awards & Nominations	Moscow International Film Festival (Best Director / Silver George Recipient) - Rishi PelhamMoscow International Film Festival (Best Actress / Silver George Recipient) - Megan PurvisRaindance Film Festival 2019 (Official Selection)BIFA Raindance Discovery Award 2019 (Nominee)The Douglas Hickox Award / Best Debut Director 2019 (Nominee) - Rishi PelhamBIFA Breakthrough Producer 2019 (Nominee) - Tomos Roberts, Nassim MniaiBIFA Most Promising Newcomer 2019 (Nominee) - Megan Purvis
==The Great Realisation==
The Great Realisation is a bedtime story - turned short film - of hope and optimism. Set in the future, a big brother (Tomos) reads a poem to a curious younger sibling (Cai), under the flickering light of a candle. The bedtime story|story weaves its way through the erstwhile COVID-19 pandemic (during which people once lived) and the resulting COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns|lockdown, whilst concluding with the creation of a greater, more harmonious global society.
Director: 	Tomfoolery (as Tomos Roberts)
Writer: 	Tomfoolery (as Tomos Roberts)
Producers: 	Tomfoolery (as Tomos Roberts), Alex Wiseman
Composer (Music): 	Katie Phillips
Production Company:	Probably Tomfoolery Ltd.
Genre: 	Drama, Poetry
Runtime: 	4:00 min / Short
Release Date: 	2020 (UK)
==The Yellow Wallpaper==
A husband tries desperately to help his wife through post-traumatic stress, but growing impatience of her inability to overcome the psychological trauma|trauma begins to have a deleterious effect on her mental health and well-being.
Director: 	Joseph Hobbs
Writer: 	Sulin Hasso
Producers: 	Jack Hanning, Sulin Hasso, Joseph Hobbs, Christian Parton, Rishi Pelham, Tomfoolery (as Tomos Roberts)
Production Company:	The Nimrud Productions
Genre: 	Drama
Runtime: 	20:00 min / Short
Release Date: 	2019 (UK)
==From Scratch==
Nearing her final year of art college, Cassie faces the unwelcome onset of a rare neurological condition which leaves the hand she uses to paint with a mind of its own.
Director: 	Joe Simmons
Writers: 	Damien Knightley, Joe Simmons
Producer: 	Tomfoolery (as Tomos Roberts)
Production Company:	Fitting Films
Genre: 	Drama
Runtime: 	13:00 min / Short
Release Date: 	2020 (UK)
==Dayik==
On the morning of their mother's death, Hana and Mina, two Kurdish culture|Kurdish women living in South London, have their grief interrupted by the arrival of a tactless undertaker.
Director: 	Sulin Hasso
Writer: 	Sulin Hasso
Producers: 	Joseph Hobbs, Tomfoolery (as Tomos Roberts)
Production Company:	The Nimrud Productions
Genre: 	Drama
Runtime: 	TBD / Short
Release Date: 	2020 (UK)
=Britain's Got Talent (BGT)=
==Ashley Banjo and Diversity==
In September 2020, Ashley Banjo and his dance troupe, Diversity (dance troupe)|Diversity, appeared on Britain's Got Talent (Britain's Got Talent|BGT). They took to the stage and performed Tomos' The Great Realisation in a Black Lives Matter (Black Lives Matter|BLM) tribute. The performance sparked thousands of complaints, though the Office of Communications (Ofcom) later decided not to investigate.
=Media Coverage & Appearances=
==India==
India Today
Youtuber Tom Foolery: The good side of Coronavirus
Republic World
Tara Sharma & Sussanne Khan In Awe Of New TomFoolery Video 'A Tale Of Two Mindsets'
The Tara Sharma Show
Probably Tomfoolery chats with Tara about his poem The Great Realisation & more
==Italy==
Vogue Italia
A Vogue's Poem. A video-poem for Tomfoolery Vogue
==New Zealand==
Greenpeace Aotearoa New Zealand (Greenpeace Aotearoa New Zealand|GPNZ)
The Great Realisation
Otago Daily Times
Kiwi poet's viral fairytale strikes a chord in Hollywood
Radio New Zealand (RNZ)
Covid-19: Millions find message of hope in Kiwi's viral poem
The New Zealand Herald
Covid-19 coronavirus: Kiwi poet Tomos Robertson (aka Tom Foolery) and the fairytale video that's gone viral
==Philippines==
CNN Philippines
People just want a glimmer of hope amid the crisis, says British poet
==United Arab Emirates (UAE)==
The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National
'The Great Realisation': Why this British writer's pandemic poem caught the eye of Jake Gyllenhaal
==United Kingdom==
Daily Express
Coronavirus pandemic poem: 'Amazing' poem hailed on This Morning
Daily Mail
Poet whose viral coronavarius verse has been viewed by 18 million people tells This Morning that the world can emerge from the pandemic as a better place if we all 'believe' it will happen
Daily Mirror
This Morning viewers reduced to tears by 'breathtaking' poem about coronavirus lockdown
Evening Standard
Great Realisation poet Tomos Roberts wants help of ES readers for exclusive video
Watch Phillip Schofield and 250 Evening Standard readers perform Tom Roberts's pandemic poem
Good Morning Britain (2014 TV programme)|Good Morning Britain
Poet Tomfoolery Reflects On Diversity's Recent Performance On BGT - Good Morning Britain
ITV News
A poetic view of how London is coping with the coronavirus crisis
Loose Women
Episode #25.37 (2020) - The Great Realisation by Tomfoolery
==United States==
CNN - Erin Burnett OutFront
Bedtime story about post-coronavirus life racks up views
Condé Nast Traveller
Here's the twist to Probably Tomfoolery's viral bedtime story about the pandemic
HarperCollins|HarperKids
The Great Realization - Storytime Read Aloud
The Washington Post
The story behind 'The Great Realisation,' a post-pandemic bedtime tale that has captured the hearts of millions
Today with Hoda & Jenna
British writer of viral coronavirus poem shares positive message for future
Category:1994 births
Category:Writers from London
Category:Film directors from London