Alexander Bennett: Emotional Daredevil – Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle

Alexander Bennett wants to take risks. One could argue that delivering a live stand-up set is risk enough, but Bennett wants to go further, and is encouraging the audience of his new tour to join him in the risky business by being totally honest.

Equal measures charming and intensely explosive, Bennett has a unique stage persona which leads his audience to be put on the back foot almost immediately. This is intensified by the first section of Emotional Daredevil in which Bennett gets to know his audience, quite literally. This is perfect for an intimate venue like Alphabetti, where Bennett was able to talk to a large portion of the audience directly, establishing individual’s names, occupations and other small talk, which Bennett then uses as a basis for amusing banter. Initially rather uncomfortable, it’s actually a pleasant way to warm the crowd up, both for comedy in general and to establish a connection between performer and spectators, and at the end of this section, the audience is visibly at ease with their entertainer and each other. This is probably just as well considering what is to follow.

Bennett isn’t really a joke teller. His comedy comes from recounting apparently true stories from his life including an inappropriate trip on the Prosecco Express for his birthday, an odd method of access to the garden in a flat that he viewed once, being used as a comedy distraction from horse execution, and a misunderstanding regarding a dog’s surprise birthday party. All of these tales are amusing, but few have completely satisfactory payoffs. Bennett’s delivery is good, his anger being reminiscent of the alternative comics of the 1980s such as Ben Elton and Alexei Sayle, but it is actually when he lets his guard down to reveal a softer, sincere side that he really connects with the crowd. He goes as far as to reveal some deep truths about himself, and not necessarily in the name of comedy, which suggest that while a lot of his material is quite dark, that he could go darker still.

Bennett should be applauded for taking more risks that the average comedian, and also for challenging his audience to be more than just submissive spectators. However, the overall theme of the set doesn’t really gel which is a shame because the point he is trying to make is a good one. There is some genuinely strong bits here including one of the aforementioned songs being about an emotional support dog that is far from supportive, but overall it does feel like the whole thing needs tightening, with a stronger focus on the main theme of risk.

All that being said, Alexander Bennett: Emotional Daredevil is still a hugely entertaining night that showcases Bennett’s potential to move up the comedy ladder. That is if he wants to take that risk.

Reviewed on 23rd April 2025. Touring the UK.