Comedy

RBH nurse and rapper comedian TJ Shiynabola is putting on a comedy night at Jongleurs
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Laughter is the best medicine

By Natalie Slater
April 24, 2009

A rapping nurse who has been shot in the leg and escaped from a life of drugs and crime is organising a comedy night for local talent.

TJ Shiynabola, 26, is a staff nurse at Royal Berkshire Hospital and has worked on the front-line in A&E before moving over to recovery.

He has a passion for music and politics and believes he is creating a night of entertainment for the town to put a smile on people’s faces, despite the recession.

Growing up in Brixham, London, TJ was blasted when he was only 14 following a shooting in a local park during which his best friend was killed.

Since then he has been inspired to try to unite people and make a difference.

He said: “I want to do things that uplift people and encourage them to come together, we are all the same underneath.

“I have had a difficult background, it is fair to say that, but that gives me the opportunity to try to change other people’s views.

“We may all be faced with difficult circumstances, but you can turn things around and that is part of what I want to do with this comedy night.

“It is about recognising raw talent and giving people an opportunity to showcase their talent that they may not have been able to do before.

“I don’t believe there is a night like this in Reading and so I am hoping that if it is a success, we will be able to organise it on a monthly basis.

“There isn’t much out there for people over 25 who perhaps do not want to go clubbing and this is a good night to go out and chat with friends and have a laugh.

“Times are pretty tight right now and there is not much to laugh about, but I think this will be a good chance to have some fun for a few hours.”

TJ made it to the final stages of the Live and Unsigned competition but did not make it through the final stages last week, but his rapping is still something he will work hard to promote.

The comedy night at Jongleurs in Friar Street, Reading town centre, will be held on June 7 and tickets cost £6 or £4 to people with an NHS card.

For more information visit www.4fingaz.com or email fingaz2008@hotmail.co.uk.

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