Public apology mends brief feud between classical music comedians. Guess who apologized?

Much ado about nothing? Perchance. But Jim Tavare learned a lesson this month about airing his grievances about another comedian online first before attempting a private solution, as he issued an apology on Twitter to Sid Bowfin (aka Adrian Garratt) on July 6, 2011.

Tavare wrote:

My suspicions of Adrian plagiarising my look and aspects of my act were based on watching this clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XryASRSbPYwd. I also pointed out strong similarities between his website and my own, and posted my views on Twitter.

There are other aspects of this performers career, such as his role in 'Pluck' which do not bear any similarity to my act. I made this clear throughout, but hope it was understood that such material should not to be confused with my original complaint.

I acknowledge that a large proportion of Adrian's performances do not reflect the same similarities to my act as seen in the clip. 
Adrian claims the performance in the 9 minute clip and other similarities, including website design, are all unfortunate coincidence – routines like the 'faulty mic' were a one-off and not normally part of his set. With the larger proportion of Adrian's act not being similar to my own, i believe it is only fair to accept his word on this.

I am aware of the fact that public bad feeling towards Adrian reached unreasonably high levels as a result of my airing my views on Twitter, and for this I apologise.

I wish Adrian well in his career.

Garratt told UK comedy site Chortle in reply: "I’m grateful that Jim’s apologised, and I’ve been in contact by email to tell him so."

Background: Bowfin's public defense against Tavare's initial accusations.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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