Dying on stage, but saved by a shot in the dark
Comedian Phil Evans from Ammanford is known as the man who puts the “cwtsh” into comedy
I HEARD a funny, apparently true, story the other day that put a smile on my face. I hope it has the same effect on you.
Keith Simmons is a talented comedian who for many years formed a double act with his brother Alan. You won’t be surprised to learn they were called The Simmons Brothers.
Keith has also written gags and sketches for dozens of well-known comedians, and while having trouble finishing a Country and Western sketch for The Brian Conley Show, decided to seek expert advice.
He found out there was a monthly publication titled Country Music News and decided to ‘tap their brains’ for some in-depth knowledge.
He phoned the contact number he had been given, and when a female voice answered, Keith said: “Hello! Is that Country Music News?”
And the lady replied, “Yes. But he’s gone down the post office!”
Showbiz stories never fail to raise a chuckle, especially when they involve performers who mess things up.
A young actor, given his first West End break in some now long-forgotten whodunnit, was tasked with playing two roles. A police constable in the first act and a bearded, bespectacled police surgeon in the second, whose only line, in response to the question: “How did he die?” was… “Manual strangulation”.
But during rehearsals he kept saying “Stranual mangulation”, which drove the director and the other actors mad.
Right up to the dress rehearsal he couldn’t stop himself saying “Stranual mangulation”.
He felt terrible, sure he was going to be fired.
But it was too late to find a replacement.
The play was night.
The despairing director pleaded with him to do his best to get the line right, otherwise a opening that
tense moment would be ruined by audience laughter.
That evening, the curtain rose and all went well until the courtroom scene in Act Two.
As the minutes ticked away towards the moment the police surgeon was to be cross-examined, the cast were silently praying the young man wouldn’t say “Stranual mangulation”.
Eventually he
“How did he die?”
To which, without hesitation, the police surgeon replied: “He was shot!” was asked: