We know that Ben is a man, but a few of the Funny Women Team saw his show and, even before it got nominated for a Fosters Best Newcomer Comedy Award, we were all singing his praises. We like a man who is in touch with his feminine side and any man who is brave enough to wear pink frilly knickers and tights, get sprayed in pink paint and take to the streets of Edinburgh with his entire audience in tow, deserves five lips! – Ed.
This is a show that cannot be categorized. It's not stand up. It's not theatre. It's not performance art. And yet it's all of these things.
Having been greeted by a handshake and given a boiled sweet from a man in a white boiler suit and goggles I was led to my seat in anticipation. Target enters wearing a rather large hat, lit sparkler in hand. No concerns for H&S here! From the very second that the sparkler dies out and the lights come up, I was taken on a hilarious journey into what seems like Ben Target's head (and later led onto the streets of Edinburgh…).
Having met Ben a few times I found it difficult to accept that his head was full of such things as sugar mice on sticks, audience participation noughts and crosses and pink frilly panties, but his utter commitment to the performance left me believing that this is in fact the real Ben Target. He is completely indifferent about anyone else in the room. He 'abuses' his audience, yet he gives them the best performance of his and their lives.
There is something to be said about doing exactly what you feel without worrying about the consequences, it's just a nice bonus when the consequence is a nomination for a Fosters Comedy Award as Best Newcomer. Ben is definitely experimenting with the way an audience views performance; imagine a young British Steve Martin in a tunnel. I feel very empowered by his choice to do a show completely comprised of exactly what he wanted, without any sign of insecurity. The world will never be ready for Ben Target and that is his best asset by far.
Discover Ben Target and then don't see anything else, you won't need to.
What Ben talks about: not really sure…. ritual humiliation?
Show Details: 4.55pm, Underbelly Cowgate. BOOK HERE.
Rating: 
Grace Lightman.
