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Ben Van der Velde

Ben has been dizzying himself on the stand-up merry-go-round for the past three years. In that time, this has been said about him:

“Whipsharp…with an air of mischievous mayhem…his hit-rate is impressive, while his in-the-moment style creates a buzz of excitement in the room…a life-giving compere.” Steve Bennet, Chortle

“highly promising…accomplished comic.” Time Out

”left the audience beaming from ear to ear with satirical quips and hilariously sinister tales.” BBC 3 Counties

“exquisite comic timing... wonderfully clownish physical comedy” British Theatre Guide

“absolutely fantastic MC.” Paul Sinha

Compering

Ben is currently resident MC for The Free Beer Show, Really Lovely Comedy (Time Out Recommended) and Student Comedy Hub where he has compered for acts such as Reginal.D.Hunter, Paul Sinha, Josie Long, Idiots of Ants, Pat Monahan, Adam Bloom and Sol Bernstein.

He has done paid compering work for Christian Knowles Productions, The Porthole Club at The Good Ship (Chortle Best Small Venue 2009), Mirth Control, Trapdoor Comedy and Terry the Stand-Up.

Ben is also available for paid opening and middle spots, which he has done for a variety of promoters.

The Holy Trinity

Alongside Andrew Doyle and Joleed Farah Ben has performed as part of the triotheistic supergroup that is The Holy Trinity. They first appeared together in five very successful shows on the Camden Fringe in 2008 and then again at Etc. Theatre and the Leicester Comedy Festival in 2009.

The Holy Trinity appeared on PBH’s Free Fringe in Edinburgh, where they were watched by over 900 people during August and Three Weeks remarked:

“When a Jew, a Catholic and a Muslim combine to take on a drunk and heckling crowd at the Free Fringe, they come out on top. All three comedians of the Holy Trinity give great banter and win over the crowd by working with whatever is thrown at them. Quick-witted and intelligent… a confident and entertaining performance.”

They will be appearing again at the Etc. Theatre in Camden on 14th – 16th January, at The Midas as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival on 6th – 7th February and at the Temple on 1st, 14th, 15th, 21st and 22nd May as part of the Brighton Fringe.

Improvisation

Ben has been performing improvisational comedy for five years, having begun as one of the founding member of The Oxford Imps (www.oxfordimps.com).   He has performed in over 100 shows with them including four years at the Edinburgh Fringe (“the best improvised comedy that I have ever had the pleasure to witness" Three Weeks).

Since moving to London Ben has performed in Scenes From Communal Living directed by Stewart McCure at the Etc. Theatre (“very funny, fresh and endlessly creative.” Time Out) and with The Institute at the Canal Café Theatre.