Apologies in advance for any vagueness when discussing ‘Emotional Daredevil’. Alexander Bennett himself asks the audience not to divulge much about the unusual structure of the show, and it isn’t an unreasonable request given how critical going in blind is to the experience. What can we say? There’s stand-up of course, audience interaction, and a few instances of Bennett bursting (rather nicely) into song. Sound fairly standard? Good. Let’s leave that there.

Thematically, we’re on safer ground. As the title suggests, Bennett’s latest hour is about risk. Not the kind of risk you’ll see in a thousand ‘this is why women live longer than men’ videos, but being willing to push yourself out of entrenched comfort zones. A leap of faith in yourself to help work through your fears and allow yourself at least the possibility of being vulnerable again. It’s a show that asks a lot of Bennett as a performer, and of the audience. It’s bold, occasionally uncomfortable and deeply earnest, but by its nature not always consistently hilarious.

Early on in the show, Bennett says he gets a lot of work doing comedy shows for children. It’s easy to see why. There’s a certain Mitch Benn-like quality to him; avuncular and benevolent that really works here. He mines this appearance to his advantage, with some dark humour hitting harder coming from leftfield – a moment of solidarity with a stricken racehorse being a highlight – and to the point where some well-placed swearing actually lands with impact. Witness the ‘Emotional Abuse Dog’ number as evidence.

A lot of Fringe shows are noted as basically being therapy for the performer. ‘Emotional Daredevil’ leans into that more than most, with Bennett projecting outwards, pulling the crowd into this orbit. It’s perhaps one of the least solipsistic shows you’re likely to see, with a communal impulse at its centre. If you’ve seen Trevor Lock‘s shows in recent years, you might get a hint of what Bennett is going for here, but ‘Emotional Daredevil’ is more specific in its focus. It’s easy to be moved by just how willing Bennett is to push the boundary of his message.

As with any experimental show, not all of it entirely works. It remains unclear how the impressively ambitious structure pulls together from a comedic perspective. It garners a smile of appreciation for sure, but some of the places it delves into would make Howard Carter pause before excavating. There is also one moment where Bennett launches into an impassioned polemic; well-intentioned certainly, but a little jarring in its vociferousness, and also to no comic end.

Alexander Bennett should be applauded for a show that’s truly distinctive, daring, and empathetic. Given the whole hour is about stepping out of one’s comfort zone, it’s fitting that the show itself does the same. It isn’t a gut-busting hour of comedy, but it is an experience well worth anyone’s time. And if one doesn’t leave faint from laughter, then it’s likely they’ll be uplifted in other ways.

‘Emotional Daredevil‘ is at Gilded Balloon Patter House – Coorie until Mon 26 Aug 2024 (except Tue 13) at 18:20