This Is Your Trial is an improv courtroom with the audience as plaintiffs, defendants and jury. We asked Steve Bennett (no, not that one) for more details if the form of a rather lovely Q&A.
I really like to get constructive feedback, my namesake Steve Bennett at Chortle always is great for that, he’ll say something like: “this kid is alright, this bit he did was hokey, but he’ll be funny” I like that because it gives me something to work on.
Hi Steve. Tell me about This Is Your Trial.
It's an improvised comedy show that has top comedians in the roles of judge, clerk, prosecution and defense, arguing cases brought by members of the audience.There are two versions. The PG show is a kind of education in law for kids.
It won an award at the Kingston International Youth Arts Festival last year and has been running monthly in London at the Bill Murray this year. With amazing acts like Thom Tuck, Tim Fitzhigham and Trevor Lock, Clive Anderson, Susan Calman, Andrew Maxwell, Marcus Brigstocke and Josie Long along with Irish Comedian of the year… me.
What does Edinburgh
mean to you?
As a performer, Edinburgh means the world to me. It’s something you just do if
you want to be a better comedian. It’s a rite of passage, a great motivation too.
This is my first children’s show at Edfringe, so it’s a bit daunting because
kids are the world’s cruelest hecklers
Who inspires you and
why?
A lot of comedian friends, working hard on new stuff all the time. I get
inspired by different ideas such as kid’s comedy; alternative stuff like Sam
Simmons, Paul Currie and Spencer Jones; different ways to put on a show and
make people laugh.
At the same time, I’m really inspired by people like Bill Burr and Eleanor
Tiernan who can just stand there with a mic and no frills and break me in half
laughing.
Describe your best or worst experiences on stage.
Best time is always when my parents surprise me by showing up at a gig. And I
can see this smile on their faces like: “this is what we sent you to college
for?! you’re a clown!” but they’re very supportive!
Worst time was when I was living in Bordeaux and I didn’t have any gigs for
months, I got one at the local Irish pub on Paddy’s day and it turned out to be
a dinnertime gig, with the crowd sitting picnic style, ordering and eating food
while I performed over to their left. I’d say about 60% of them didn’t even
really speak English.
I cried all the way home.
Describe your best or worst review.
In reviews, I really like to get constructive feedback, my namesake Steve Bennett at Chortle always is great for that, he’ll say something like: “this kid is alright, this bit he did was hokey, but he’ll be funny” I like that because it gives me something to work on.
My worst review was actually after that French show where a man had gone out of his way to wait for me by the stage and tell me that I was shit: “the worst comedian I’ve ever seen”
If you weren’t a performer, what would you be?
Probably a teacher, my family are all teachers, I did it for a few years, TEFL. Good fun, creative outlet, decent hours. I might go back to it some day!
What was the last
book you read?
Frankenstein, lovely book. Really sad and miserable like, but a great read.
Sometimes I need a break from the laughs.
Who de man?
Me. Me, I’m de man.
Imagine that the BBC have asked you to produce a primetime show. What would it be and who else would be involved?
I’d love to do a really madcap gameshow. Like a mix of wheel of Fortune and the Eric Andre Show. I run a lot of bingo and table quiz stuff so I love that kind of silly game craic. Making fools out of people. Just silly laughs.
Twitter: @ThisIsYourTrial
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThisIsYourLaugh
Website:
www.thisisyourtrial.com
© 2017 On the Mic.
