Page 45 - 366091 LP246228 NE Volume Magazine (170mm x 245mm 52pp) September 2022

SCOTT BENNETT
NEXT NE GIG
Saturday 24th September
VENUE
The Witham, Barnard Castle
As comedian Scott Bennett makes his way to both Middlesbrough Town Hall and The Witham in Barnard Castle, Georgian Shine caught up with him to find out more about his new show, ‘Great Scott’.
Where did your initial desire to pursue comedy come from?
It’s a weird one because I’ve been a big fan of comedy for years and I got to about 31 where I thought, if I don’t do it, I will never know. I put my name down for an open mic night and never really looked back. Comedy is a crisis for many people once you start it - it takes over your life.
I think sometimes the industry likes to find the next hot young thing, but I didn’t have much
to say at 19/20. However,
I’ve done and put it together. There’s nothing that isn’t covered - it takes on everything. I want to give people a really good night out of comedy where it is just relentless laughs. It’s been hard to work out what to leave out but I’ve got a selection of what I’m happy with. North East audiences are so good and comedy savvy and it’s always one of my favourite places to play.
Are there any stand-out high or low gigs that have stayed with you?
One of my biggest things was Live at the Apollo which was a bit of an out-of-body experience - and I’ve now
at 31, I’ve got a child and mortgage and I had more to talk about and relate to people about.
Where do you find the
inspiration for your
material?
I think it comes from every
environment. As a comic,
you have to be a sponge and be
switched on to everything around
you all the time. I’ve always got a phone
that I pull out. I will run my ideas past Gemma, my wife, and sometimes she’s like “eh” - and then I doubt it. Sometimes, the best routines are when you get a laugh of recognition and then you can hit the routine and it’s even funnier. It’s almost like your life reflected back - and that’s something great comics do.
You’re bringing your new tour, ‘Great Scott’, to the North East. What can audiences expect from the show?
Basically, this is the first time I’ve ever done a compilation of my favourite routines. I’ve been on the circuit for 10/11 years so I thought I will take what
also supported Rob Brydon, John Bishop and Jason Manford. The difficulty with comedyisthegraftyouhavetoput inandtryingtobuildanaudience - and you never know where it’s going - but there are moments where you go: “This is worth it”. I never take it for granted because the effort from audiences, I’malwaysgratefulfor.You can learn from the bad gigs where nothing happens and you’re just stared at. It’s quite surreal because it’s like no other job: you start from scratch every
time you step on stage.
If you could put together a comedy night with any three other comedians supporting you, who would you choose?
I’d have to have Jerry Seinfeld as he’s the ultimate observational comic - it’s like watching Mozart.
I would have Sarah Millican too as she has been so supportive to comics coming up and her work ethic is so admirable, so having someone inspirational to keep you motivated would be good. I would also have Harry Hill and then Bill Bailey in the intervals performing.
For further information and tickets, head to scottbennettcomedy.co.uk
“This is the first time I’ve ever done a compilation of my favourite routines”
INTERVIEW // NE VOLUME MAGAZINE // 45