by Scott Alexander Young

Dave Thompson is a British stand-up comedian, actor and writer. He became famous in Britain, and around the world, for his portrayal of Tinky Winky in the long running children’s television series ‘Teletubbies’. There is a lot you probably didn’t know about Dave. For example, the fact that he wrote a novel called The Sex Life of a Comedian (available on Amazon kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Life-Comedian-Dave-Thompson/dp/B009AOJD4G). He also has very good reason to visit Hungary more than once a year. But we will let this talented, funny and thoughtful man tell you all about that in his own words.

For you as a performer, what was the best part about being a Teletubby?

The show was filmed entirely on location in a field a few kilometres from Stratford on Avon, where Shakespeare was born. The countryside there is beautiful, and we stayed in an old country house which had been converted into a hotel. What better way to spend ones days than being paid to behave like a three year old child, in lovely surroundings?

What about the purple suit? Was it uncomfortable?

One we got used to the weight of the heads, the costumes were so comfortable I sometimes didn’t want it taken off. The question everyone askes, is “Was it hot in the costume?” Yes, it was very hot in the costume! Sometimes during breaks in filming, we’d even sleep in the costumes with the heads on as being thickly padded they were so comfortable. Under the costumes we wore special underclothes, which would be changed at least twice a day. As soon as we came out of the costumes at the end of a day’s filming, we’d have a shower.  We each had a personal dresser, and a dressing gown dyed the same colour as the Teletubby we were, so they wouldn’t get mixed up.

Did you play the character as gay?

The programme is intended to be funny to very young children.  When I studied the clown I learned that it’s easier to be funny if you’re very light on your feet.  Charlie Chaplin was incredibly graceful and light on his feet.  If you’re fat and heavy on your feet, it’s hard to be funny because people expect fat heavy creatures to be heavy on their feet.  Oliver Hardy of Laurel and Hardy (known as Stan and Pan in Hungary) was funny because he was fat but light on his feet.  This is why I played Tinky Winky as gracefully and light on my feet as I could.  I think this, together with the red hand bag, is why people think him camp.  The Teletubbies are hugely popular all over the world, including China, Iran, Indonesia, and India.  These in addition to Western countries such as America, Canada, and most European countries.  However, the programme is banned in Kazakstan by personal order of the President, on the grounds that Tinky Winky is a pervert.

In America particularly, some people thought that Tinky Winky was a ‘gay’ character because of the way he carried a handbag. What did you think of this reaction?

This was a case of the right-wing, born again preacher Jerry Fulwell projecting adult sexuality onto children’s cuddly toys. The Teletubbies are pre-sexual beings, although they have a gender (Tinky Winky is male). They are innocent clowns, which is why Tinky Winky carries a hand bag. He doesn’t have any concept of shiny red hand bags being intended for women.  It’s just a found object that is his favourite toy. 

There is a stand-up comedy scene developing fast in Hungary. What advice would you give to a young comic who is just starting out?

Do what’s true to your comic vision, rather than trying to anticipate what promoters and audiences want.  Understand comedians are, in many ways, priests. Your career is a pilgrimage, enjoy it. Whether you’re funny or not is 100% the result of the audience’s belief.  Get your act filmed as often as possible, and study the footage to continuously improve.  Good vibes out – good vibes in.

Tell us about your very special connection to Hungary.

In August 2000 I married a beautiful girl from Budapest.  We have two girls, now aged 10 and 11.  My wife divorced me in 2016, and moved from England back to Budapest with our girls.  Since the divorce, we get on better than before, and I live for much of the time with my ex-wife and our girls.  They are more Hungarian than British, as they’ve lived in Budapest for more of their lives than in England.  We still function as a family, and I often work as a stand-up comedian or actor in Hungary and the surrounding countries.  I love Hungary – the people, the food, the landscape, and the wine, all inspire me.

I. Match the verbs with the definitions.

II. Fill the gaps with the phrasal verbs above.

1. I decided to ……………….. tennis. I hope I’ll be able to go twice a week.

2. I’m really sorry to inform you the operation wasn’t completely successful. You will have partial use of your leg, you’ll have to ……………….. it.

3. George had some bad news. He might need a day off, he ……………….. .

4. The twins ……………….. by their grandparents because their parents died in an accident.

5. I don’t understand how she could ……………….. for such an egotistic person.

6. You can’t go on avoiding Tom. You two should ……………….. .

answers:

I. 1-b 2-e 3-a 4-f 5-d 6-c

II. 1-take up 2-live with 3-is down 4-were brought up 5-fall for 6-make up

I. Match the jokes with the punchlines.

II. Fill in the gaps with the missing words.

Blackmail

It was coming up to Christmas and Sammy asked his mum if he could have a new bike. So, she told him that the best 1 ……………….. would be to write to Santa Claus. But Sam, having just played a vital role in the school nativity play, said he would 2 ……………….. to write to the baby Jesus. So his mum told him that would be fine.
Sam went to his room and wrote ‘ Dear Jesus, I have 3 ……………….. a very good boy and would like to have a bike for Christmas.’ But he wasn’t very happy when he read it over. So he 4 ……………….. to try again and this time he wrote ‘Dear Jesus, I’m a good boy 5 ……………….. of the time and would like a bike for Christmas.’ He read it back and wasn’t happy with that one either. He tried a third version. ‘Dear Jesus, I could be a good boy if I tried hard and 6 ……………….. if I had a new bike.’ He read that one too, but he still wasn’t satisfied.
So, he decided to go out for a walk 7 ……………….. he thought about a better approach. After a short time he passed a house with a small statue of the Virgin Mary in the front garden. He crept in, stuffed the statue under his coat, hurried home and hid it under the bed. Then he wrote this letter. ‘Dear Jesus, If you want to see your 8 ……………….. again, you’d better send me a new bike.’

I. 1-c 2-e 3-a 4-f 5-b 6-d

II. 1-f 2-c 3-g 4-a 5-h 6-b 7-e 8-d

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Most towns and cities in Great Britain have a public bonfire and fireworks display on or around the 5th of November. The fireworks symbolise the barrels of gunpowder Guy Fawkes tried to explode in the cellars of the Parliament to murder King James I. Traditionally, models of Fawkes, made of old clothes and newspapers, were burned on the fire, but this custom is not as widespread as it used to be. Edenbridge in Kent has the most remarkable fireworks display and it is there that the biggest Guy is burned: their model is 9 metres tall. Traditional Bonfire Night food is hot baked potatoes, called jacket potatoes, cooked on the bonfire and filled with butter and cheese. Toffee apples on a stick are a big hit with children, along with the opportunity to toast marshmallows on the bonfire.

Greater London can boast of a large number of fireworks displays, but the most impressive one is the Lord Mayor’s Firework Show, which starts with a spectacular three-mile-long procession in the historic area of the City. This parade dates back to 1215 and it welcomes every year the new Lord Mayor of the City, who rides in the 254-year-old, gold Lord Mayor’s State Coach, normally on display in the Museum of London, followed by marching bands and floats. The fireworks are held in a prime location: more than half a million people watch them go up from a barge moored between Waterloo and Blackfriars bridges. While this event is free, the other famous display in Legoland, Windsor costs quite a lot, but their firework shows with a Super Heroes theme is unique: if viewed through a pair of 3D glasses, the fireworks are transformed into exploding 3D Lego bricks!

Polite expressions

Useful expression on the phone

Good morning. Thank you for calling our company. My name is Anna. How may I direct your call?

Sorry to keep you waiting. I’m putting you through.

Do you want to hold or would you like to call back later?

I’m afraid the line/extension is engaged/busy. I’ll transfer you to Ms Jones.

I’m returning your call on behalf of Mr Brown to let you know …

I’m calling to confirm that …

Which company are you calling from?

I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name. Could you spell it please?

Can you please repeat the date/location/time/phone number/e-mail address?

Is there anything else I can do for you?

to take a message – üzenetet leírni
contact number – telefonos elérhetőség
request – kérés
to put somebody through – kapcsolni valakit
to hold the line – tartani a vonalat
extension – mellék
engaged/busy – foglalt
to transfer a call – hívást átkapcsolni
to return a call – visszahívni
on behalf of – valaki nevében
to confirm – megerősíteni, visszaigazolni
to not catch someone’s name – nem érteni valaki nevét
location – helyszín
Is there anything else I can do for you? – Tehetek Önért még valamit?

Solar-Powered Cinema Is a Mini Marvel

Welcome to the world’s smallest solar-powered mobile cinema – built from a rusty old caravan. A team of four spent a year creating the unique eight-seat picture house, which has now toured to more than 300 locations.They mainly used recycled materials, including an LED projector housing from a 1920s theatre light and antique curtains, in the 20,000-pounds project. Two of the group created the usherette outfits, the upholstery and the art deco paintwork. The caravan was transformed using old carpets from a wedding company, fake brick, a canopy and roman pillars.

Thousands of people have enjoyed 100s of films inside the 2.7m converted caravan, complete with plush seating, surround sound – and lots of popcorn. It’s played everything from movie parodies, 1940s dance films, sci-fi adventures, music videos and comedy to environmental documentaries. And audiences get in free – because events hire the cinema. 

Artist Jo Furlong came up with the idea for Sol Cinema after spotting an old Euro-Camper caravan from 1965 rusting away in a hedge. He had previously converted a small caravan into a touring human-sized juke box for his band, which became a festival cult favourite.

Paul O’Connor, projectionist and co-founder of Sol Cinema, said perfecting the solar power system was the biggest task. "I had been seeking out a unique way to show short films at festivals and Jo’s brainwave was the perfect solution. We wanted to find a way to present short films which went beyond YouTube. We wanted to give an enjoyable experience to honour all the hard work and dedication which video makers put into creating short videos. Our solar panel receives enough sunlight to charge the batteries ensuring that we always have power, whatever the weather. It means we can perform just about anywhere."
Now on its fourth touring season, the cinema has appeared at community and music events in Scotland and Wales and a street festival in Ireland. Mr O’Connor said: "Everyone loves the cinema and amazement is the most common reaction from our viewers. When audiences leave – people outside can’t believe so many people can comfortably be seated inside.”

solar-powered – napenergiával működő
rusty – rozsdás
unique – egyedi
to tour – turnézni
recycled materials – újrahasznosított anyagok
housing – ház (gépeknek)
theatre light – színházi reflektor
usherette – jegyszedő
outfit – öltözék, szerkó
upholstery – kárpit
fake – mű, hamis
canopy – előtető
roman pillar – római oszlop
plush seating – plüss ülések
audience – közönség
event – esemény
hedge – sövény
juke box – pénzbedobós zenegép
co-founder – társalapító
task – feladat
brainwave – szuper ötlet
to honour – tisztelegni valami előtt
dedication – odaadás
to charge – feltölteni
to ensure – biztosítani
whatever – bármilyen
amazement – ámulat

Match the words with the definitions.

answers: 1-d 2-a 3-e 4-c 5-b

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Farmers unearth 60,000-year-old MAMMOTH in family gravel pit: Rare skeleton of giant Ice Age creature is 90% complete

A family were left stunned when they discovered the skeleton on a 60,000-year-old mammoth in their firm’s gravel pit. The almost complete set of fossils was uncovered in May when Marty McEwen and his grandson Ethan Beasley were digging at the family business in Texas. After Mr McEwen hit a 6ft-long (1.8m) tusk with an excavator, the pair alerted nearby palaeontologists who carefully removed layers of mud which are millennia old.

Experts believe the creature’s relatively small size – it would only have been around 9ft (2.7m) tall – shows it is a female mammoth. Tom Vance, a palaeontologist from nearby Navarro College, Texas, believes the animal died after she fell on her left side. Remarkably it appears as if the clearly visible skull, ribs and lower jaw have been relatively untouched bar a few missing leg bones.

The skeleton has been donated by the McEwen’s to the nearby Perot Museum, Texas where it will be examined thoroughly. To protect the precious fossil during this process, the museum and McEwen family have chosen not to disclose the excavation site.

Woolly mammoths finally died out in eastern Siberia around 4,000 years ago. Resurrecting a prehistoric creature might seem like a sci-fi dream, but scientists say they have taken a step towards cloning the extinct woolly mammoth. They expect to extract ‘high quality DNA’ from a 43,000 year old carcass found in Siberia. The announcement was made after finding a female mammoth last year in permafrost in Russia’s diamond region of the Sakha Republic, which is also known as Yakutia.

source: Daily Mail 

to be left stunned – ledöbbenni
skeleton – csontváz
gravel pit – kavicsbánya
fossil – kövület, fosszília
to dig – ásni
tusk – agyar
layer – réteg
expert – szakértő
untouched – érintetlen
bar – kivéve
to donate – adományozni
precious – értékes
to disclose – felfedni
excavation – ásatás
to resurrect – feltámasztani
to clone – klónozni
extinct – kihalt, kipusztult
DNA – DNS
carcass – tetem
permafrost – állandóan fagyott talaj 

Match the words with the definitions.

answers: 1-c 2-a 3-d 4-e 5-b

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3 Healthy Eating Habits We Can Learn From Asian Countries

Here are three eating habits from Asia that might be beneficial to adopt.

In Asian countries like Japan, less than 5 percent of adults are obese; yet in the U.S., a whopping third are obese. While many reasons may influence these statistics, here are three eating habits from across the globe that might be beneficial to adopt, according to Shape.com:

Number 3 — Japan gets big points for presentation. Nutritious and vibrantly coloured food such as fish and vegetables are arranged specifically to be visually stimulating to the appetite. The meal becomes elevated to a culinary experience. Since portions are on the smaller side, there’s no temptation to overeat.

Number 2 — China shows slow and steady wins the race. Using chopsticks slows down eating so that the body has a chance to recognize when it’s getting full and people generally eat much less. A recent study showed that people who gulped down their food quickly had much higher chances of being obese or having heart disease.

Number 1 — India’s stylish flavour profiles include lots of spice. A wide variety of herbs and spices are used to enhance the flavour and colour food as well as promote health. For example, turmeric and ginger can lower cholesterol while garlic and onion can lower heart disease.

source: Geobeats

beneficial – jótékony hatású
whopping – óriási
nutritious – tápláló
to be elevated – felemelni
culinary experience – kulináris élmény
on the smaller side – kisebbfajta
to overeat – túl sokat enni
Slow and steady wins the race. – Lassan, de biztosan. (közmondás)
chopsticks – evőpálcika
to gulp down – habzsolni
to enhance – fokozni
turmeric – kurkuma

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