The ‘art’ of putting oneself down. Taking the mickey out of oneself for comic effect. It is comic seam I have mined over the years, to an extent on stage but particularly so in my writing. Eclipsed as a storyline lends itself easily to this technique and genre. Writing a book about a dad being outshone…
There are many things considered essential for life or a successful life at least. Good health might head up this list, which the majority of people are lucky enough to enjoy and yet so many of us take it for granted or else squander it with bad choices. On a more granular level, oxygen comes…
Amidst the Corona hysteria gripping the world, it seems that hunkering down and staying away from crowds is the way to survive. Or at least this is how it is being reported; along with avoid travelling and in planes in particular with the close proximity and recycled air. A problem for me then, given that I write this post in Dubai – on my third day of a 10 day tour. I could have cancelled the gigs of course but for the fact that I would forego my fee. My career choice being the original zero hours contract. No sick pay. No contracts. No laughs, no gigs and no money!
A poignant week for me just gone with my youngest celebrating his 15th birthday. Blimey and who knew? Nothing particularly revelatory at how Paddy’s life has flashed by – which of course applies to my life also (and yours) and perhaps then time to reflect and take stock on all things in my life.
Being a proud Englishman is not such an easy card to play these days. Fraught with dangers for its connotations and connections to lots of unpleasant isms; nationalism, colonialism, imperialism… England are currently the world champion cricketers and last weekend, we had the chance to reign over the Rugby Union world also and this would…
A busy and expensive time of year for me with Nikki’s birthday and her (our) 25th wedding anniversary in quick succession and part of the celebrations, we are set take in a West End musical and this holds some trepidation for me. You see, not really my thing, musicals. Too formulaic. Big opening number (usually,…
I say at the end of Eclipsed, how grateful I am to anyone kind enough to review my book/s on-line – and so on a cold Monday morning in London, seeing this review of Eclipsed was very welcome indeed. Thank you, Romany. Honest, heartwarming and hopeful. Couldn’t put it down. 8 March 2019 Format: Paperback…
A few things of note this week – principally though that I am now Spiderman’s dad. This is has definitely been the main thing for me. That my eldest son, Tom has become a Peter. Also, turns out that my phone is not broken after all. Who knew that the thing could ring so often…
Last night, The Impossible was screened on Channel Four – which I watched and enjoyed as much for the memories of seeing this film being made and watching my son in it – and also following the kind comments on twitter. There were some detractors though which is to be expected with anything subjective like…
I was the first ever comedian to appear on Channel Four – well before Jack Dee got his well deserved break and the trendy cool types who reside on the Channel these days – Because I starred in the first movie that ever played on the channel – P’Tang Yang Kipperbang – albeit when I say starred,…
