Hilary Watt, Undercover Reporter

Bennett Arron

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CV

It Wasn't Me, It Was Bennett Arron
Live Review

A lovely touch at the very beginning of Bennett Arron’s debut full-length show - which we won't reveal as it may spoil the gag - is only a hint of the comedic invention and excellence that follows in this fascinating and personal story.

When initially planning his show, the wildly talented Arron had chosen to write about himself and his half-Welsh, half-Jewish background, which would surely have  worked thanks to Arron’s sheer writing talent. 

However, we should really thank the advertising company who unlocked a memory and led him to write the show he eventually did.  For several years ago, Arron was a victim of identity theft, which almost led him to complete ruin.

This is the story of that period, with the potential tragedy adding a depth to the laughter, which is relentless due to Arron’s talent for slyly inserting joke set-ups into his main narrative where you simply do not see them establishing a later punchline.

So what follows is a fascinating and often funny cautionary tale that highlights just how easily anyone could become a victim of identity fraud.  As he moves from discovering the scam to tracing it back and discovering the culprit, you are thoroughly engrossed, desperately wanting to know the outcome.

Arron points the finger of blame at the far too relaxed companies who allowed it all to happen, and often to the police for their incompetence, but he also appears genuinely concerned with protecting others from experiencing the same misery.

Sometimes the events – and the responses from companies in the aftermath – are truly unbelievable, meaning that sometimes a joke wouldn’t be as bleakly funny as the situation will speak for itself.

One slight criticism is   that, considering this was such a traumatic event that did temporarily destroy Arron’s life, the real emotion of the story is not conveyed effectively enough.

This could be a conscious decision – considering that it is, after all, a comedy show – but if we were to be allowed a tiny bit more into Arron’s reactions, the story would hold a lot more resonance and would move from being very good to nearly flawless. 

Overall, though, this is something that – considering the amount of advice Arron throws into the mix – few can afford to miss.

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Saw an extended set at The Comedy Cellar in Bracknell last night - the first half was fantastic but then it lost momentum with the identity fraud bit. Still some great lines though, a very funny man

Kelwit, January 2020

Saw him supporting Ricky Gervais last night and he was excellent.

Lara Budd, February 2010

We saw him in Nottingham on Friday night. He saved the show after the second act was booed off after 8 minutes of crap. If it wasn't for Arron I would have asked for my money back. What a star.

Kim Howden, August 2009

He came over to perform for us in Hong Kong this summer and in all these years he was the best act we have ever had here. Every line was a fantastic joke and when he improvised it was simply brilliant.

Frank Davis, August 2009

Just witnessed him resign from comedy after bombing out at Jongleurs Leeds at weekend. He was so far off the mark it was embarrassing. I hope he sticks to his promises and jacks in, although I blame Jongleurs for putting this crap on. £20 thanks very much.

David Stephenson, July 2009

Some great lines (one about an ideology change by a Nazi was unbelievable!), but I was cringing at 90 per cent of the material, just feeling really awkward sitting there listening to the comedy. If he could prosper on his neat good lines, then he's be unstoppable, but the roadblock is the cheesiness of some lines. Good luck.

Danny Boone, April 2009

The audience had previously been pretty quiet, but they warmed to this guy immediately. His Tainted Love dance (very David Armand) was a slightly surprising but nontheless hilarious interlude in a very solid set. Great fun to watch.

Stan, May 2007

Fantastic act, seen him a few times and seems to be still improving every time he comes to the well-known comedy chain I work for. Can't say which one, but it's the one that needs to pull its finger out and go find some good talent,

Ice man, November 2006

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