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Ben Van Der Velde
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Ben Van Der Velde

Ben Van der Velde is a stand-up comedian, actor, improviser and presenter, who, over the past few years, has spread joy and nonsense to all four corners of the British Isles, as well as Estonia, Latvia, Finland and Norway.

In 2009, he starred in improvised hit Scenes from Communal Living alongside Rob Broderick of Abandoman and Carly Smallman for both its Edinburgh Fringe and London transfer run. A year later Ben shared a bill with James Acaster and Andrew Doyle in Sex and Hugs and Forward Rolls. He continued to gig all over Britain, earning himself a good reputation with audiences and comics alike. His consistency and persistence were rewarded when in 2011, he was crowned Comedy Café New Act of the Year. Ben then went on to host Just the Tonic’s Big Value Comedy Showcase at the Edinburgh Fringe 2012, impressing industry and punters alike across the month.

A year later he took on his biggest challenge yet: Ben Van der Velde’s Chain Letter, an attempt to rescue the beloved handwritten letter by turning himself into a human chain letter, which was nominated for Best Comedy Show at the Buxton Festival. In 2014 he had another successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe after performing his second show, Strudelhead.

Ben has amassed a few residencies as an MC; most notably at Really Lovely Comedy and the legendary Free Beer Show, where he has featured alongside acts such as Omid Djalili, Reginald D. Hunter, Sarah Millican, Jim Jefferies and Andrew Maxwell . Ben is currently helmsman of the Chortle Award-winning Good Ship Comedy Club in Kilburn, where he can be seen spinning webs of nonsense and good humour every Monday from 8pm.

Ben can be seen in most clubs across the UK and has done paid work for the likes of The Stand, Komedia, Just the Tonic, The Backyard Comedy Club, Covent Garden Comedy Club, Comedy Club 4 Kids, Off the Kerb and The Comedy Café, as well as hosting stages for Bestival, Festival No.6 and Sunday Papers Live. He also has experience of performing at RAF Bases, at large corporates and doing audience warm-up for Deal Or No Deal. On top of that, he also took part in experiments at The Royal Society that revealed him to have the most infectious laugh of any human, rat or monkey.

“A sharp and crafty gagsmith, with wittily obtuse takes on…an impressively wide range of topics…bringing flair and confidence to them all.” Steve Bennett, Chortle

“Whipsharp…with an air of mischievous mayhem…his hit rate is impressive, while his in-the-moment style creates a buzz of excitement in the room…a life-giving compere.” Steve Bennett, Chortle

“Highly promising…an accomplished comic.” Time Out

“Wonderfully improvised riffs showcasing his impressive spontaneity and sharp tongue.” Edinburgh Festivals Magazine

“Exquisite comic timing…wonderfully clownish physical comedy.” British Theatre Guide

“A stunningly quick wit.” Spoonfed

“Flaunted his razor-sharp wit to hilarious effect leaving the audience bent over double.” Three Weeks

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