Aug
26
Category: 
Eleven and twelve years ago (i.e. from September 1993 until June 1994), I was undergoing my year abroad in Moscow as part of my degree course. I had the good fortune to share rooms with 
Ben Willbond (Pants Cat
in the picture from the 1993 Hallowe’en Party) who was clearly more than just a young man who knew a few jokes and enjoyed reading Bulgakov and Camus.
I was pleased for him when I saw, several years ago, that he had won the Perrier Award for Best Newcomer and cringed when I saw the short-lived tv series on UK Play.
This chap consistently receives good, even glowing, reviews in the media, such as:
The characters brought to life by Willbond and his co-stars, Jim Field Smith and Katy Brand, are fantastically funny. Each one is fully formed with their own verbal peculiarities, questionable motives and occasional forays into insanity. In front of a bare stage, the entire focus is on the characters – the only props to be seen are a lab coat, a chair, a Russian pistol, 2 grey wigs and a pair of dodgy Miami Vice style shades. All this is tied together with a clever narrative which draws the audience even further into the wacky, though strangely familiar, world which the characters inhabit.
from TPN or the less glowing:
Ben Willbond – comedic act with 2 supporting cast. Series of skits that all interlinked and he had some very amusing characters. Enjoyable to watch skilful acting and enjoyable dialogue. Worth a look.
from Blogberg.
Which leaves me asking the question: Will Ben ever perform a show in the North-West? Preston’s Guild Hall could do with some talent.
For now, Ben can be seen at the Pleasance Courtyard at the Edinburgh Festival.
