I don’t like resting on my laurels. I tried it once and the leaves left green stains on my white trousers.
I enjoy being creatively busy and have fingers in several pies.
I make no apology for my habit of testing the thickness of the crust and consistency of the meat and gravy in at least half-a-dozen pies before I decide which one I’d like on the plate alongside my chips and peas at the local greasy spoon.
Incidentally, in all the years I’ve been eating there, I have never once picked up a spoon from my saucer to stir my tea and found it to contain even the tiniest trace of grease.
On the other hand, I always take my own knife and fork, because the ones they supply are disgusting.
So, creatively busy me can today reveal that for the past year I’ve been writing a stage musical set in Polperro, Truro, St. Austell and Land’s End.
Every song is a parody of a well-known, authentic sea shanty or folk song associated with that beautiful part of the West country.
I suppose you could call it a genuine ‘Cornish pastiche’.
I wouldn’t dare, personally. But you’re very welcome to.
Your reaction to the contrived build-up and pay-off will depend on whether word play (the bricks and mortar of a tremendous amount of comedy material) tickles your funny bone or leaves you bemusedly unamused.
An individual’s reaction to any joke or witticism depends on whether they possess a sense of humour . . . or lack one..
There’s been a lot of talk recently about what comedians should or shouldn’t be allowed to say on stage. I find this worrying.
Old sitcoms, which fill the schedules of several digital channels, now feature ‘trigger warnings’ to make us aware that shows from 30/40 years ago may contain ‘attitudes some viewers may find offensive’.
I wish they’d continue . . . “So we suggest those five viewers switch channels and watch something else!”
John Cleese succinctly put it recently when he commented:
“People without a sense of humour aren’t qualified to dictate to people who do!” Cornish pastiche! Get it?