The latest Phil Evans column from the South Wales Evening Post
The latest Phil Evans column from the South Wales Evening Post -
Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy.
I don’t half get annoyed when some blonde, mini-skirted, giggling n’ jiggling, stunningly attractive, air-headed breakfast TV weather- forecaster tells me it’s the hottest August we’re experiencing since the last hottest August. Especially when she then jumps out of bed and refuses to make me a cup of tea before she goes to work.
Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy.
I don’t half get annoyed when some blonde, mini-skirted, giggling n’ jiggling, stunningly attractive, air-headed breakfast TV weather- forecaster tells me it’s the hottest August we’re experiencing since the last hottest August. Especially when she then jumps out of bed and refuses to make me a cup of tea before she goes to work.
Whether you’re a dedicated sun lover or buy some other daily paper, let’s all agree it’s been damned hot and if there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my weeks in this glorious business of show, it’s that relentlessly hot weather is not conducive to the performing of comedy. Or the making of snowmen.
But is turned out to be good weather for most of the Llanelli National Eisteddfod week. That’s what I call “luck”.
On the Monday, in order to cool down during the phenomenal heat wave, I strip-off down to my socks and stood in front of the freezer for an hour. Luckily for me the manager of Morrisons doesn’t catch me . . again. You don’t want him running behind you with one of those big pointy signs telling you which check-out lady is free.
Ok, it’s time for me to come out of the closet, and admit it: I’m Bi. Bi-lingual that is. What does that mean? It means I can speak Welsh and English, but I can’t talk either of them proper, bach.
But, despite this, up until 2010 I hadn’t been anywhere near the National Eisteddfod. Like many, I was worried that it would be full of the Welsh speaking ‘elite’. But fair 'dos', when I got there, it was. Or so I thought at first.
At first glance, all you saw was row after row of marquees and stalls, many of them pushing Welsh government funded schemes to save the language and the planet, preferably in that order.
S4C and BBC were there in force, running round filming everything, including each other.
Universities were there trying to persuade youngsters that didn’t do very well in their A levels that they’ll take anyone in these days.
But taking a closer look, and there was so much more to it, both on and off the field (the ‘maes’ as it’s called, which is possibly why I have kept away, I hate rodents of all kinds).
S4C had a free children’s show throughout the week. Top Parent tip, always get there early, and wear padding.
There was a massive queue full of children amped up off the pick and mix stall nearby, and no allocated seating inside. ‘I predictio reiat.’ (Bi-lingual, see).
There were also loads of entrepreneurs plying their wares. Welsh language books, Welsh arts and crafts, Welsh Black beef burgers, Welsh Bibles and Welsh Language T-Shirts.
They even sell T-Shirts which say ‘I’m not English’, in Welsh, in English, in French and Spanish, giving you a chance to win/lose friends throughout Europe. Not as good as the now world famous Phil Evans ‘Cwtsh’ T-Shirts I might add.
It is a very friendly place mind, and it did seem at times that everyone knew each other.
Twice I had people who I had never met before swearing blind, despite my protestations, that I’d been a guest preacher in their chapel many years ago.
The second time it happened, I went along with it, and picked up a gig for the following Sunday. I’m a comedian, the stage time is important, I’m always learning. I learnt that they didn’t like any blue jokes, and the money in the plates wasn’t for me.
We all have different experiences of such events and it would be very interesting to see or hear as to how the local economy and the people of Llanelli felt, or benefited from hosting one of the countries’ largest events of the year.
Please feel free to contact me as all feedback will be taken into account and appreciated. Who knows where this could lead, as these comments could even be included, or form part of future columns.
It's so important for your voices to be heard as I'm a firm believer that together we CAN make a difference.
Until then next time, please remember that all it takes is one voice, singing in the darkness...and the plonker will keep you awake all night....
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Last Friday saw the Ffwrnes Theatre Llanelli hosting the 'Gala Gomedi' Welsh Language stand up comedy night. This was meant to coincide with the town hosting the national Eisteddfod, with view to keeping the people who had travelled far and wide amused.
If you were there you would have witnessed a true comedy extravaganza with Wales’ finest comedians. The world of welsh comedy continues to grow and we now have comedians performing their well structures routines in both Welsh and English, giving them greater commercial value and more work opportunities, whilst doing what they love most, performing.
We were all on top form for the night and I was joined by, Tudur Owen, Daniel Glyn Jones, Noel James and Rhodri Rhys.
Described as 'bareknuckle boxers' of the comedy world, performing together on the same stage, for one night only. We are pleased to report that no blood was lost and there was no police involvement on this occasion.
The show was supported by an audience with an age range from 25 to 89, which to me, meant that people are either curious or like a good laugh. Llanelli prides itself with the Ffwrnes Theatre and quite rightly so, as the new venue is an amazing place to work with modern facilities and state of the art sound technology, which made it a pleasure to perform there. Please check out what this venue has to offer and keep supporting live entertainment in our Welsh towns.
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But is turned out to be good weather for most of the Llanelli National Eisteddfod week. That’s what I call “luck”.
On the Monday, in order to cool down during the phenomenal heat wave, I strip-off down to my socks and stood in front of the freezer for an hour. Luckily for me the manager of Morrisons doesn’t catch me . . again. You don’t want him running behind you with one of those big pointy signs telling you which check-out lady is free.
Ok, it’s time for me to come out of the closet, and admit it: I’m Bi. Bi-lingual that is. What does that mean? It means I can speak Welsh and English, but I can’t talk either of them proper, bach.
But, despite this, up until 2010 I hadn’t been anywhere near the National Eisteddfod. Like many, I was worried that it would be full of the Welsh speaking ‘elite’. But fair 'dos', when I got there, it was. Or so I thought at first.
At first glance, all you saw was row after row of marquees and stalls, many of them pushing Welsh government funded schemes to save the language and the planet, preferably in that order.
S4C and BBC were there in force, running round filming everything, including each other.
Universities were there trying to persuade youngsters that didn’t do very well in their A levels that they’ll take anyone in these days.
But taking a closer look, and there was so much more to it, both on and off the field (the ‘maes’ as it’s called, which is possibly why I have kept away, I hate rodents of all kinds).
S4C had a free children’s show throughout the week. Top Parent tip, always get there early, and wear padding.
There was a massive queue full of children amped up off the pick and mix stall nearby, and no allocated seating inside. ‘I predictio reiat.’ (Bi-lingual, see).
There were also loads of entrepreneurs plying their wares. Welsh language books, Welsh arts and crafts, Welsh Black beef burgers, Welsh Bibles and Welsh Language T-Shirts.
They even sell T-Shirts which say ‘I’m not English’, in Welsh, in English, in French and Spanish, giving you a chance to win/lose friends throughout Europe. Not as good as the now world famous Phil Evans ‘Cwtsh’ T-Shirts I might add.
It is a very friendly place mind, and it did seem at times that everyone knew each other.
Twice I had people who I had never met before swearing blind, despite my protestations, that I’d been a guest preacher in their chapel many years ago.
The second time it happened, I went along with it, and picked up a gig for the following Sunday. I’m a comedian, the stage time is important, I’m always learning. I learnt that they didn’t like any blue jokes, and the money in the plates wasn’t for me.
We all have different experiences of such events and it would be very interesting to see or hear as to how the local economy and the people of Llanelli felt, or benefited from hosting one of the countries’ largest events of the year.
Please feel free to contact me as all feedback will be taken into account and appreciated. Who knows where this could lead, as these comments could even be included, or form part of future columns.
It's so important for your voices to be heard as I'm a firm believer that together we CAN make a difference.
Until then next time, please remember that all it takes is one voice, singing in the darkness...and the plonker will keep you awake all night....
------------------------------------------------
Last Friday saw the Ffwrnes Theatre Llanelli hosting the 'Gala Gomedi' Welsh Language stand up comedy night. This was meant to coincide with the town hosting the national Eisteddfod, with view to keeping the people who had travelled far and wide amused.
If you were there you would have witnessed a true comedy extravaganza with Wales’ finest comedians. The world of welsh comedy continues to grow and we now have comedians performing their well structures routines in both Welsh and English, giving them greater commercial value and more work opportunities, whilst doing what they love most, performing.
We were all on top form for the night and I was joined by, Tudur Owen, Daniel Glyn Jones, Noel James and Rhodri Rhys.
Described as 'bareknuckle boxers' of the comedy world, performing together on the same stage, for one night only. We are pleased to report that no blood was lost and there was no police involvement on this occasion.
The show was supported by an audience with an age range from 25 to 89, which to me, meant that people are either curious or like a good laugh. Llanelli prides itself with the Ffwrnes Theatre and quite rightly so, as the new venue is an amazing place to work with modern facilities and state of the art sound technology, which made it a pleasure to perform there. Please check out what this venue has to offer and keep supporting live entertainment in our Welsh towns.
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Coffee shops! They are everywhere. They have been shooting up all over the place for some time and continue to do so.
Selling overpriced coffee and overpriced cakes. Yet clearly there is a need and a demand.
It has now become a lifestyle choice and most of us have bought in to it. We meet friends in coffee shops and even hold business meetings in them.
We can even run our businesses from them. All we need is an internet connection and we are away.
Yes most coffee shops even provide internet, which helps keep us there, drinking and eating overpriced coffee and cakes, but we love it. We have grown to love it, just as we grew to love wine bars in the 90s.
If you are a fan of people watching, as I am, you will at times be thoroughly entertained by the goings on and the loud overheard conversations that take place constantly in these coffee shops. So if you think that what you do and say in these public places is unnoticed or unheard you are probably wrong. So be careful what you say and talk about.
Always remember. If your eyes hurt after you drink coffee, you probably didn’t take the spoon out of the cup. These are the good old days. Just you wait and see.
You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales
Selling overpriced coffee and overpriced cakes. Yet clearly there is a need and a demand.
It has now become a lifestyle choice and most of us have bought in to it. We meet friends in coffee shops and even hold business meetings in them.
We can even run our businesses from them. All we need is an internet connection and we are away.
Yes most coffee shops even provide internet, which helps keep us there, drinking and eating overpriced coffee and cakes, but we love it. We have grown to love it, just as we grew to love wine bars in the 90s.
If you are a fan of people watching, as I am, you will at times be thoroughly entertained by the goings on and the loud overheard conversations that take place constantly in these coffee shops. So if you think that what you do and say in these public places is unnoticed or unheard you are probably wrong. So be careful what you say and talk about.
Always remember. If your eyes hurt after you drink coffee, you probably didn’t take the spoon out of the cup. These are the good old days. Just you wait and see.
You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales
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