Ben Norris has been on the stand up comedy circuit since the early 1990’s and has compiled an impressive back-catalogue of writing and television credits over the years. With a somewhat more light-hearted style of comedy than his stern demeanour may suggest this comedian is effortlessly able to incorporate sinister elements into more topical and accessible material.
To learn more about Ben, I asked him these seven questions…
1) What is the weirdest thing about your life?
It might be that I have three children who were all born on the same day 10 years ago.
2) Do you like to plan ahead?
Planning ahead is part and parcel of being a comedian. We are booking gigs into our diaries 8, 9, 10 months ahead of time. I’m always booking cheaper train tickets in the same manner. Having said that I often don’t think beyond the next few days or even look at the following weekend in my diary until it comes up.
3) What is your least favourite kind of audience?
Judgemental, entitled, drunk and stupid… that was a tough night.
4) Is everyone a conformist?
I think most people are. Sadly conformity is hugely popular. I, on the other hand, am a free thinking radical… with a wife, three kids and a mortgage.
5) Do you have many unpopular opinions?
I think animals have rights and ought not to be factory farmed and eaten. It appears that’s an opinion not shared by the majority. (Of people that is, I reckon animals would be in total agreement.)
6) Is the comedy industry over-populated?
It’s a meritocracy so it’s hugely over-populated at the bottom end but that only serves to keep the quality up further up the pecking order I guess.
7) Are you young or old at heart?
I’m 48.