Simon Evans
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Simon Evans (born 9 May 1965), is an English comedian, born in Luton and currently living in London.
Early Life
Contrary to the Public school image he portrays, Simon did in fact attend Verulam Comprehensive School in St Albans. Once a flourishing grammar school Simon arrived at a time when it was struggling to maintain high standards under the wistful if somewhat distant headmaster M.C.Morgan. Simon excelled academically and little indication was given to his contemporaries that a future lay in the world of comedy.To this day he is fondly remembered for his insightful analysis of the causes of the defenestration of Prague which left Melvyn Brands (the renowned history Master) exclaiming excitedly that it was like having a young G.R Elton in his midst.His comprehensive and insightful study of the renaissance (particularly his excellent imitation of a virginal-like a harpsichord but with attitude) was perhaps the earliest indication of what lay ahead in the field of arts. His prodigious abilities left his classmates in his wake, destined to revive their flagging academic fortunes in the cultish and some would say mystic atmosphere of Mr Humphreys' A Level Religious Studies class.With his characteristic hairstyle in the fashion of an eighteenth century dandy he cut an impressive figure as he cruised the polished oak corridors of his alma mater.If there were any comic influences in those days some would say that the famous Harpenden lads Phil Jones and Chris Reding must take some credit.Two geniuses, who like Pete Best have been forgotten as the years have passed.
Simon Evans appears on the BBC Radio 4 programme The Unbelievable Truth, in which panellists have to spot the occasional true fact in a steaming hot pile of lies.[1]
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[edit] Stand-up comedy
Evans is an established headline act on the UK stand-up comedy circuit. His style has been characterised as arrogant, aloof and snobbish.
He has also performed one man shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe since 2000. Simon has appeared all over the world, with performances at the New Zealand Comedy Festival 2002, Cape Town Comedy Festival 2001 as well as in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Winnipeg and Dubai.
[edit] Television writing
Evans has written for TV shows including:
- The Big Breakfast
- Lily Savage
- Johnny Vaughan Tonight
- The State We're In
- TV Heaven, Telly Hell
- The Late Edition
- They Think It's All Over
- Revolver
- Eight out of Ten Cats
- Turn Back Time
- Not Going Out
[edit] Television appearances
He has appeared on the Comedy Store (Five) and The Stand Up Show (BBC1). Simon's other television appearances include the Comedy Network, Five's Company (Five) and an appearance on The Krypton Factor.
- Brain Candy (BBC Choice) (2002)
- The Way It Is (BBC1) (2000)
- Edinburgh Nights (BBC2)
- The Comedy Store (Five)
- The Stand Up Show (BBC1)
- Gas (Channel 4)
- Only Fools and Horses (1990)
- Life's a Pitch (BBC1) (2000)
- The Comedy Network (Five)
- Five's Company (Five)
- Take a Girl Like You (2000)
- Rich Hall's Cattle Drive (2006) as Melvin Turpin
[edit] Radio
Evans appears regularly on BBC Radio 4 - hosting and writing seven series of the spoof news show The Way It Is (as Richard Richard), as well as appearing on numerous panel games including the News Quiz and discussion programmes such as Off The Page.
He is a regular contributor to both Radio 4 and London Live and has had full-length comedy scripts commissioned by the BBC for both TV and radio.
- The Way It Is (Radio 4) - Writer and performer
- Best Policy (Radio 4) - Anchored
- True Lies, A world without... and others (Radio 4) - Pundit/panellist
- Beating the System (Radio 4) – Sole writer and performer
- Troublestarter (Radio 4) - Three part series - Sole writer and performer
