Hello. Here I am doing stand-up comedy dressed as a dog, with an animatronic tail.
I don’t want this picture on the internet - subscribe to the email version of this newsletter to guarantee seeing this type of content.
The video I got of this was pretty bad, but due to popular demand, I’ve agreed to do this extremely underdeveloped character again. Keep May 23rd free.
Last night I entered the Ding Dong Gong show. I did great for the first couple of minutes, and then I got into my owl bit. A whimsical bit about language and owls that I wrote specifically to appeal to mainstream audiences. Everyone loves the owl bit.
But it turns out that in the context of a gong show, the owl bit is hugely divisive. I got gonged off halfway through it, which some members of the audience and the panel took as a great injustice because I had started so well.
What happened next was wild and I am hoping to get the video of how it played out for you soon. Spoiler: it wasn’t exactly a win for ol’ Ben. But in retrospect it should be pretty hilarious viewing. Even though I crashed and burned again, this experience made me feel that I can definitely win a gong show. I just need to stick to nice safe hacky material that’s neither too complex/highbrow nor too edgy. I probably need to write a new 2 or 3 minutes of gong friendly jokes. But I can do that.
Please note that I am now going to be doing a show in Brighton (and/or Hove) on Wednesday, not Tuesday as previously advertised. This is due to circumstances beyond my control but may mean that I’m doing 10 minutes instead of 5.
UPDATED - Wednesday April 13th 7pm - The Gag Factory, The Secret Comedy Club, BRIGHTON
This was originally Tuesday, it is now on Wednesday. Sorry about that.
Booking: https://artistacafe.gallery/home/whats-on/comedy/
Artista, 42 Waterloo St, Hove BN3 1AY
Wednesday April 20th 7:30pm - Comedy In Your Eye, Camden Town
Come and see me do a 10 minute set to close the first half! It’s a fun format where if you mention one of the forbidden subjects you incur the wrath of the Eye.
Camden Eye, 2 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 9NX
Sunday April 24th 7:30pm (doors 6:30) - Sunday Shtick, Kentish Town
This is a bringer night so please let me know if you’re interested. Strong lineups and a great MC mean that this night is attracting a growing crowd of regulars and I hope won’t be a bringer for much longer.
https://www.designmynight.com/london/pubs/kentish-town/the-rose-and-crown/sunday-shtick-comedy
Rose & Crown, 71-73 Torriano Ave, London NW5 2SG
Monday April 25th 7:30pm - Pegasus Comedy, Kentish Town
Same venue as Sunday Shtick, but with the chairs arranged differently. Why not come to both nights and compare?
Rose & Crown, 71-73 Torriano Ave, London NW5 2SG
POSTPONED UNTIL JUNE Thursday April 28th 8pm (doors 7:30) - Wheel of Death, Kentish Town
The pub is being renovated so this has been postponed.
Friday April 29th 10:45pm - Roast Battle London, Angel
I’m in a Roast Battle tournament! My first opponent will be Brummy hunk Joe Bingham.
The Bill Murray, 39 Queen's Head St, London N1 8NQ