Radio West Pier The Argus

Argus

Wed 13th Sep 2006
Seabed sitcom surfs the waves
By Rob Hustwayte

Matt Whistler and Eric Mahonaneigh
emerge from a shift in their radio shack.
A pilot episode for a new sitcom, set in
an underwater shack beneath Brighton's
West Pier, was put together on a budget
of £20.Matt Whistler and Eric Mahonaneigh
wrote, produced, directed and starred in
the first episode of Radio West Pier and
are hoping it will be picked up by a television
company.The show, based on a fictional
radio station transmitting from a domed
building which fell from the West Pier,
is being broadcast on the internet.Mr Whistler,
34, an actor and radio presenter, of
Goldstone Road, Hove, said: "It's a zany,
upbeat comedy which has been likened
to The Mighty Boosh."We filmed the pilot
through TV Brighton, the city's community
television channel. It is part animation and
part live action."We begged, borrowed and
stole equipment and a number of very
talented local people donated their skills
and expertise for free."It just shows how
in the digital age two people can film a
sitcom and broadcast it on the back of
a £20 note. "We're hoping to get it noticed
and will also be broadcasting monthly audio
versions of the show on our website."In the
show, Mr Whistler and Mr Mahonaneigh
play radio presenters Jah Scooterman
and Rico Mortis, who are squatting in the
shack under the pier.They raised the money
to launch their radio station from selling pieces
of driftwood on eBay.Mr Whistler said:
"It's got real potential and it is brilliant
that we can get it seen and broadcast
for virtually nothing."
Mr Whistler gained national publicity
two years ago when he held Britain's first
naked speed dating event at the Chez Nou
pub in Arundel Road, Kemp Town, Brighton.
He also holds two world records, for being
the only person to travel from Lands End to
John O'Groats on a footpropelled scooter
and for traveling 161 miles in 24 hours on
the same vehicle. 2006