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.
www.philevans.co.uk
--------------------
The ultimate definition of hypocrisy:
I recently read a front page report in a national newspaper that contained what was probably the ultimate definition of hypocrisy.
If I’d reworded it as a joke and used it in my stand-up act, the audience would have declared me a comic genius.
Okay, they might have tittered a bit . . .
That night, a TV news item covering the same story confirmed that, as ridiculous as it seemed, it was absolutely true.
I’m referring to the Anti-Austerity Rally in Central London, but let me stress that I found nothing funny about the rally or the thinking behind it, because Government cutbacks already affect us in many ways and will continue to do so.
I believe the next figure our ‘beloved’ Chancellor has in mind to save is £12 billion
If you find that amount too enormous to picture, just think of it as the equivalent of a dozen banker’s bonuses.
Already many libraries, day centres and leisure facilities have closed or are under threat and our bins only get emptied on alternate weeks.
I’m aware I’m going off at a tangent (regular readers know I’m inclined to do that), but isn’t it strange that after a couple of years of grumbling, most of us are resigned to accepting reduced bin collections?
‘They Who Are In Power’ knew we would, because us Brits don’t tend to march on the Town Hall with pitchforks and flaming torches very often. Not if it’s a nice day anyway.
That said, if we’re ordered to do even more recycling than we do now (see Phil Evans articles passim) I’ll happily lead the torchlight procession and give the Town Hall front door a good hammering, while shouting “Come out! We know you’re in there! Your bins haven’t been emptied yet!”
I could go on and on (regular readers know I’m inclined to do that), but I must return to my main point.
Among the marchers at the Anti-Austerity rally were millionaires Russell Brand and Charlotte Church.
Fair enough.
The fact they’re rich doesn’t prevent them from caring for the less well-off and I thought it was great they were marching alongside ordinary people for a common cause.
Until I read the article containing that ultimate definition of hypocrisy.
Mr Brand and Ms Church were provided with a V.I.P. Tent.
At an Anti-Austerity rally?
If anyone tells you satire is dead, don’t believe them . . .
----------------------
Three Peaks:
Well, regular readers of my Evening Post column will be delighted to hear that Team GI Joe from Llanelli completed their gruelling Welsh Three Peaks Challenge!
Their challenge, all in aid of the autism charity Week on the Street, was to climb up (and back down!) Cadair Idris, Snowdon and Pen y Fan in 12 hours or less, a total distance of 16 miles and making a total ascent of around 2000m in some of the most remote landscape in Wales.
I’m reliably informed that there were a few challenges for the team, including prolonged waits on the mountainside, having to leave a couple of members in the bus due to bad knees and walking around bends only to see more hills!
It is Wales, guys! What did you expect?
They are looking to go bigger and better next year and raise even more money for charity, but with more than £2000 already raised for this challenge, and more donations coming in daily, I think the guys deserve a well earned pat on the back and a long, hot soak in the bath!
Da iawn!
-----------------------
Neath Comedy Festival:
Edinburgh festival is the biggest arts festival in the world.
Neath Comedy Festival is without a doubt the biggest comedy festival in Wales.
It is running between 2nd and 30th of July, local comedy doesn’t get much better than this!
The Duke pub in Neath has a cult-like following when it comes to comedy, and it is just one of the many venues you can get to see some stunning comedy talent in July.
This year, it incorporates Neath Little Theatre and really does cater for everyone’s comedy tastes.
There are free shows, Welsh language shows, children’s shows, where you will be entertained by some of the most amazing award-winning performers and TV stars to have ever gathered together in one town!
In total, you will be treated to more than 40 comedians, with stars of TV including Omar Hamdi and Phil Nichol and local talent such as Paul James, Ignacio Lopez and Noel James.
Great talent on this grand scale doesn’t get together all in the same place at the same time very often, don’t miss out!
Check out the website at www.neathcomedy.com
----------------------
You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales and www.philevans.co.uk
Comments