Comedian Phil Evans is from Ammanford. He is known as the man who puts the ‘cwtsh’ into comedy. This column appears in the South Wales Evening Post, Carmarthen Journal and Llanelli Star. Website – www.philevans.co.uk
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If you visit Lower Cwmtwrch today, you’d never know that flesh-hungry aliens once walked the streets, terrorised the residents and called into the pub for a couple of pints and a game of darts.
The aliens sneakily landed on New Year’s Eve, knowing their presence would hardly be noticed among the cacophony of fireworks, renditions of “Agadoo” and the general revelry for which Lower Cwmtwrch is renowned, not just at the turn of the year but most Saturday nights.
As I reported back in July 2017, the aliens were characters in the new science-fiction comedy film “Canaries” and were accompanied by a film crew under the supervision of Swansea-born director and writer Peter Stray.
One year on, “Canaries” can be seen in selected cinemas around Wales and on Sky Cinema. (Some of you clever folk may even have downloaded it and viewed it already!)
There will also be a gala screening in Ystradgynlais on October 21st, at the Brecon Road Cinema, followed bya cast and crew Question and Answer Q and A session.
“Canaries” stars Kai Owen, Robert Pugh, Hannah Daniel and Cwmtwrch-born Craig Russell, who is also the producer.
Apart from Craig’s home town, locations included Washington DC, Vietnam and Martha’s Vineyard – on a budget of less than £30,000!
Because the cast and crew believed in the script, they were willing to defer salaries. Craig explained that the film also had enormous help from the local community
“My mother, who owned the post office, together with Ruth Levy, did all the catering, and housed the cast, crew . . . and the aliens!
“We filmed next to my mother’s shop in a converted chapel, knocked on doors asking if we could plug things in and filmed late into the night, but no-one complained.
“They even closed The Castle pub just to let us film.”
An eerie alien invasion movie with a dash of Welsh humour sounds like a winning formula that’ll appeal to science fiction fans around the world . . . and, possibly, other worlds, too!
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Too often, I find myself witnessing unhygienic actions in public toilets.
Not that I make a habit of hanging around in such places, but when nature calls, needs must.
It’s now very common to witness men leaving the toilets in pubs, cafes and restaurants without washing their hands.
I can’t speak for the ladies, as the issue of me observing such activities in ladies toilets brings with it consequences . . . and a warning that I took onboard immediately.
Moving on . . .
Recently, I saw a man leaving a pub toilet without washing his hands. He then went on to share a bowl of crisps with his partner.
It would be so funny if he was reading this . . . hang on…. was it you?
In supermarkets, I’ve witnessed men return to their shopping without washing their hands after visiting the toilet.
What’s the hurry?
It takes less than a minute and would prevent germs from spreading and people becoming ill.
Mark my words, the next step will be hygiene police employed at all public places.
OK, maybe a slight exaggeration – but, possibly, not a bad idea!
You can follow Phil Evans on Twitter @philevanswales and www.philevans.co.uk
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