Ben Breen

Ben Breen

Ben Breen is a teacher of Physics and Mathematics with a passion for theatre. He particularly enjoys chamber plays, drama, and comedy. His "happy place" is the National Theatre atrium.
  • Joined: November 5, 2023
  • Articles: 108

REVIEW: The Plot @ Summerhall Academy

Reading Time: 2 minutesGunpowder, treason and plot. This is what Guy Fawkes’ attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 is best known for, yet two of the three are bafflingly missing from Emma Howlett’s The Plot. Fawkes is the subject of not one, but two shows at this year’s Fringe. Remember, Remember is a musical fizzing with camp energy and catchy songs; in stark contrast, The Plot is a straight-faced, humourless exploration of truth and the power of propaganda.

REVIEW: Matt Forde: Project Holy Moly @ Pleasance Courtyard, Beyond

Reading Time: 2 minutesMatt Forde is one of the UK’s foremost political satirists, with his podcast recording live throughout the Edinburgh festival. This latest stand-up hour taking in the state of British politics has plenty to get its teeth into: yet another new prime minister; Nigel Farage on the ropes; and Trump continuing to make headlines that seemed unimaginable only a decade ago. With his characteristic intelligence and ability to see the bigger picture, Forde skewers today's political news, asking: what planet are these politicians from?

REVIEW: Shrink Wrapped: A Psychologist Analyses Comedians Live @ Hoots

Reading Time: 2 minutesYou don’t need to have seen much stand-up before thinking that a lot of comics could benefit from therapy. Shrink Wrapped goes one step further and builds a whole show around it - three comics and a real-life clinical psychologist get together onstage, perform some routines, and sit down together to analyse them.

REVIEW: Age

Reading Time: 2 minutesTwo former best friends run into each other at the airport. One, off on a family holiday, is perpetually tired and “smelling faintly of vomit”; the other is headed on an all-expenses-paid business trip to Amsterdam.