Melbourne International Comedy Festival review

Ben Russell’s Bon is an ode to idleness. Against a soundscape of pulsating synth, Russell tells anecdotes inspired by the search for ‘something to do’ – playing with synthesisers being one of his proposed solutions. From trips to the animal hospital to reminiscing about his Anglican education, there’s nothing Russell wouldn’t consider doing to pass a few hours. 

Russell’s calm yet confident delivery reverberates with let-them-come-to-you energy. Between words, he prolongs eye contact with audience members, daring us to break the tension with a nervous laugh. 

But his leisurely approach has an unfortunate downside. Occasionally, Russell telegraphs his punchlines from a distance his speech doesn’t keep up with. His joke construction is such that it’s possible to connect the dots yourself before he gets the chance to. 

In fairness, these more predictable moments sometimes lay the foundations for Russell’s zanier gags. When you feel sturdiest on your feet, Russell rips the rug from beneath you, and these destabilising moments are the show’s strongest. 

The synth functions similarly, introducing amusingly incongruous emotional tones when his anecdotes least demand it. Russell essentially live-scores his own show, creating a meditative atmosphere where his delightfully juvenile observations achieve a thrilling contrast. 

But the instrument does tend to steal Russell’s concentration. The comedian is often mid-anecdote when he must trigger a given sound cue, at which time his gaze angles downward, breaking the spell of his mischievous eye contact. 

What holds this show back is the way it opts out of building momentum. Russell’s anecdotes are so disconnected from each other that they essentially operate as extended one-liners. 

Far from being an inherently flawed structure, the problem is that Russell moves between each of his episodes without any ongoing subplots and without ratcheting up anticipation for a finale. 

It’s a framework that makes the contextless beginnings of each story funny, but creates a mild experience overall. 

• Ben Russell: Bon is on at The Greek at 6.15pm (5.15pm Sundays; no show Mondays) until April 12.

Review date: 3 Apr 2026
Reviewed by: Anna Stewart
Reviewed at: Melbourne International Comedy Festival