COMEDIAN Simon Evans brings his not-so-thinly veiled attack on the decline of intelligence in public life to Barnard Castle next week.
His show, Genius 2.0, began life at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017 and has evolved during the intervening 12 months.
The main thesis of the show is that while the exact nature of genius has always been elusive, it seems the bar has been lowered somewhat in recent times.
“Everyone and everything from a modestly talented centre forward to a Bluetooth-enabled juice extractor gets called genius these days,” he says.
As evidence of falling standards, he points to the intellect of the political class.
“Theresa May seems like a decent sort of woman – as you might say of someone running the jam stall at the WI market,” he says.
“But to look at her academic achievements – she has a 2:2 in geography. Be honest, you’d be disappointed if your geography teacher had a 2.2 in geography.
“And Jeremy Corbyn – two Es at A level then failed to complete his degree course at North London Polytechnic.
“These are momentous times and I just don’t think we’re getting the brightest and the best.”
Simon Evans has been a regular face on the comedy circuit for the past two decades.
In addition to hosting four series of his own show Simon Evans Goes to Market on radio 4, he is a regular on The News Quiz and has appeared on the likes of Live at the Apollo.
He has also become an increasingly familiar face on BBC TV political shows such as Question Time, This Week and The Big Questions.
He will bring Genius 2.0 to The Witham on Tuesday, September 25. The show is suitable for ages 14+ and tickets are £14. Contact the box office on 01833 631107.
