An Interview with Bennett Arron

If you could perform at any event, past or future, what would it be?

A future event would be to host the BAFTA’S (might as well aim high) and an event in the past would to have been the closing act at the Nuremberg Rally. I like a challenge.

How did working in the corporate sector start?

I have performed as a comedian at corporate events ever since I was a finalist at the BBC Comedy Awards fourteen years ago – where I was runner-up alongside Peter Kay. I wonder what happened to him...?? Over the years, as well as performing as a comedian and after dinner speaker I have hosted Awards Dinners, run auctions and even MC’d the odd wedding and Bar Mitzvah (and the term ‘odd’ is quite apt). Of late I have been working a great deal in the Security/Banking/Cyber crime industry as a result of the BAFTA shortlisted documentary I made for Channel 4.

Can you remember your first speaking engagement?

Oh yes. And will never forget it. It was actually before I had started working as a comedian. I had been living in London and writing comedy scripts for television. I had been asked to speak at my parents’ synagogue in Wales as part of a 50 year celebration. I had written 10 minutes of stand-up comedy and I thought this would be an excellent opportunity to try it out. So I went to Wales, where I arrived late due to a train delay, and was told as I arrived that I would go on immediately. I then went onto the stage and performed this ten minute routine to absolute silence. I walked off to the sound of my own footsteps – and an embarrassing cough. The Chairman of the synagogue then quickly came over to me and apologised, explaining that they weren’t expecting me to do comedy and that, unbeknown to me, I had actually gone on stage between a holocaust survivor and the Chief Rabbi. I realised then that no gig would ever go as badly. So far, so good...

Which event has been your favourite and why?

I’ve enjoyed almost every event. Two that particularly stand out are the the Fraud Conventions I spoke at in Poland and Italy.