one4review | On 24, Aug 2013

Ben Verth is a larger than life comedian, a self-confessed fat hairy man, but surely the largest things about him are his abundant personality, stage presence and a remarkable talent of ‘finding the funny’ in some obscure places and things.

As a rarity, an Edinburgh guy actively involved in the Fringe Verth starts off with a number of ‘local’ references the basis of his hour is the way people are perceived and given his look his list of some of the abusive things he has been called in the street is both well written and immaculately delivered.

There is a feeling of comfort and control throughout his hour, control because he has a well prepared set but is happy to riff with the audience and comfort because the show is in the safe hands of natural and experienced performer.

Highlights? There were a few which probably got more laughs, his impression of a wookie,  a brief PowerPoint segment on wine and his patent escape route from a London mugger.

Verth is a big man with surely a big future and I look forward to watching his progression, in the meantime check his show out quickly and see if I am right.

****

The Beehive Inn

Until 25 August

16.00 to 17.00