Comic Details

Benny Boot

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Videos

At Spank!

Edinburgh 2008


More Benny Boot videos

At Spank!
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Reviews

Benny Boot: Fringe 2012
Live Review
Underbelly Bristo Square

 rated 3/5

Benny Boot is a quirky, original and droll gag-writer, so it’s something of an anticlimax that this hour never quite builds up enough momentum to make the most of them.

Wrapping himself around the microphone stand and delivering a lazy, strangulated Australian drawl, he projects the image of a strange otherworldly philosopher, reducing human behaviour to eccentric one-liners.

Many of his best lines have a similar  twisted logic to Stephen Wright’s fines. He applies perverse lateral thinking to contrived problems that don’t really exist – then reverse-engineers them into jokes that baffle logic. Then add a topper or two, and you have a well-packaged morsel of oddness.

But this is a very stop-start approach for a full show – and as he admits at the start: ‘I just do jokes and sometimes jokes do not work. They die.’

It’s true. He has a few that just don’t shine, and after every one, it’s as if Boot is back to the start, having to re-establish his comic credentials again.

There are a couple of attempts to break the pattern: a surreal new take on rock-scissors-paper, a bit of audience participation about favourite animals (just as a preamble for one bit); and, to end, a guitar track – a soporific strumming to underpin the jokes reminiscent of Demetri Martin.

Mostly, though, the gags are left to stand or fall on their own two feet, and mostly prosper.  Sometimes they have their grounding in something real and relatable, but then take an unusual turn; other times they are just odd from the get-go. Eccentric gems include considering fire extinguishers to be doing jobs of work, planning his  own funeral surprise, or describing the consequences of killing  a spider with the first aerosol to hand.

Distilled down, these are a certain kind of warped genius – it’s just unfortunate that collectively, and mixed with jus a smattering of less successful jokes –  they don’t amount to more.

Date of live review: Sunday 5th Aug, '12
Review by Steve Bennett
Benny Boot : Set-Up, Punchline, Pause for Laughter
Benny Boot : Set-Up, Punchline, Pause for Laughter

Saturday 27th Aug, '11-
Benny Boot : Original Review
Benny Boot : Original Review

Friday 1st Jun, '07-
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Comments

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Brilliant, possessing truly funny bones. Puts the audience on a back foot that most stand ups wouldn't dare then brews up an epidemic of laughter that lasts. Deserves great things.

Mandy Allan, August 2012


A genuinely hilarious and original comic.

Paul Sinha, February 2011


Saw him at Comedy Carnival in Leicester Sq and laughed way more than twice. He's quirky and, clearly from audience reaction, not to everyone’s taste but if you like surreal, skittish comics then you'll enjoy being kicked in the guts by Benny and his huge biceps.

Jason, November 2009


Saw him at the white horse, edinburgh fringe. Think i only laughed twice. Never heard him before. Think it will be long time til I hear him again.

alan moyes, August 2009


Really great, totally relaxed the way he wraps him self around the mic. Mind you being tall he was blinded by the low stage lights at Careys Comedy night in Coventry it made him very 'wide eyed'. All in all a great set though and certainly worth a see.

Loxley, June 2009


Saw this chap in Bournemouth and in Camden for the Camden Crawl - both times I nearly pulled a muscle laughing! In his own words "that joke was dynamite!" He'll go far! Cheers Benny!

Adam, May 2009


Benny is brilliant, but unfortunately is his own worst enemy as he loves to do new material. This mean he has always got lots of fresh new ones. You need to see him on a big night

Nicola Flynn, April 2009


Ben has his off nights, but when he is on it he "kicks that puppy in the gut" so well that i fall of my chair from laughter every time I watch him. I have faith in him and hope to see his performance at the International Comedy festival in Montreal one day.

n.n., December 2008


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Where can I see Benny Boot next?

Where can I see Benny Boot next?

19:45 - Saturday 18th May, '13
Venue: Birmingham Highlight
Prices: From £14
Comics: Benny Boot, Raymond & Mr Timpkins Revue, Simon Bligh, TanyaLee Davis
Show starts: 19:45 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
19:30 - Wednesday 29th May, '13
Venue: Crack Comedy Southbank
Prices: Adult - £8.00
Comics:
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
Thursday 30th May, '13
Venue: Abingdon Guildhall
Prices: £10
Comics: Benny Boot, Rudi Lickwood, Mark Simmons (MC)
Info: Plus: Paul McGarrity, Phil Airson
Recommended
19:30 - Wednesday 26th Jun, '13
Venue: Ludlow Assembly Rooms
Prices: Call for prices
Comics: Benny Boot, David Trent, Stephen Carlin, Mark Olver (MC)
Show starts: 19:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
13:30~00:00 - Sunday 14th Jul, '13
Venue: Derby Bar One
Prices: £7
Comics:
Info:
Edinburgh Festival Preview All-dayer. Plus: Danny Ward
Show starts: 13:30 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
20:00 - Friday 26th Jul, '13
Venue: Comedy Carnival Leicester Square
Prices: From £12
Comics: Benny Boot, Josh Howie, Pete Jonas (MC)
Show starts: 20:00 (Doors open approx 30 mins earlier)
17:30~18:30 - Wednesday 31st Jul, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Thursday 1st Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Friday 2nd Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Saturday 3rd Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Sunday 4th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Monday 5th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Tuesday 6th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Wednesday 7th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Thursday 8th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Friday 9th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Saturday 10th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Sunday 11th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Tuesday 13th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Wednesday 14th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Thursday 15th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Friday 16th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Saturday 17th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Sunday 18th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Monday 19th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Tuesday 20th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Wednesday 21st Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Thursday 22nd Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Friday 23rd Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Saturday 24th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Sunday 25th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
17:30~18:30 - Monday 26th Aug, '13
Venue: Underbelly Bristo Square
Prices: £6 (previews) to £11
Show: Benny Boot: As Seen On TV
Show starts: 17:30
Benny Boot
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Represented by:
Get Comedy
Martyne Green
contact by email
Office: 0207 604 2944
Mobile: 07765 837 639

Benny Boot's Shows:
Edinburgh Fringe 2007
Comedy Reserve
Liam Speirs and Benny Boot: Frying Free

Edinburgh Fringe 2008
Freestyle Comedy

Edinburgh Fringe 2009
Freestyle Comedy [2009]

Edinburgh Fringe 2011
Benny Boot: Set-Up, Punchline... Pause For Laughter

Edinburgh Fringe 2012
Benny Boot: Def-Con 4

Edinburgh Fringe 2013
Benny Boot: As Seen On TV