Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. Website – www.philevans.co.uk

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Any Old Irony?

It’s been said many times – but not by me – that Americans don’t appreciate irony in comedy.

Some people’s opinion of American humour is affected by crude Hollywood comedy films which rely on four-letter words and exaggerated and disgusting out-of-control bodily functions to get laughs.

I suppose that’s because very few Fridays go by without the opening of a new crude Hollywood comedy film that relies on four-letter words and exaggerated and disgusting out-of-control bodily functions for laughs.

But in truth, Americans, especially on the East and West Coasts (the people who mostly didn’t vote for the big orange-faced, comb-over clown who sits in the Oval Office tweeting about his busy schedule all day) appreciate irony as much as us we do this side of ‘The Pond’.

The USA has produced many humorists who’ve dipped their pens in the ‘inkwell of irony’ and written wonderfully subtle comedy that makes the reader think as well as chuckle.

For example: James Thurber, David Sedaris, Garrison Keillor and SJ Perelman – who our own Frank Muir, a man who knew a thing or two about humour, described as “the best American comedy writer of all time!”

Then, there was the great wit Dorothy Parker, who when challenged to make a joke containing the word ‘horticulture’ immediately responded . . .

“You can lead a ‘horticulture’, but you can’t make her think”. (Say it out loud if you don’t get it first time)

That’s one wickedly inventive comedy brain in action!

Irony is uppermost in my mind at the moment because the town of Chepstow in Monmouthshire was recently honoured by the environmental group “Surfers Against Sewage” (which sounds like a very unhealthy past-time to me) as a “Plastic Free” town.

This was such a big deal, local councillors hung a huge banner declaring Chepstow “Plastic Free” above the 13^thCentury archway entrance to the old town.

Very commendable.

Oh, sorry. I forgot to mention . . .

The giant banner was made of plastic!

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Fun to come:

Having just read ‘What’s On in Swansea’, I’m extremely impressed with what’s coming up in and around our area over the next six weeks.

There are indoor and outdoor activities that won’t break the bank and events that include the whole family.

I think the ultimate up-and-coming event for me has to be the Swansea Air Show weekend.

The thrill and excitement of seeing the Red Arrows flying over Swansea seafront makes the hairs on the back of my neck tingle.

How do they pull off those manoeuvres?

It’s down to practise, commitment and dedication, enabling them to think as a team with each pilot knowing how the other thinks.

It’s discipline at the highest level.

Now then – what do I need to do to get a ride in one of those planes?

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You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales and www.philevans.co.uk

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