How to be a Superhero
James Bennison has been performing comedy for almost 6 years now. 4 of them as part of a musical comedy double act, Slap and Giggle and 1.5 years as himself (with half a year's break). Since going solo he has gone from strength to strength, selling out his Edinburgh Fringe show "Professor Bennison's: Life of Pi" about his love of mathematics and his failed occupation as a mathematics teacher.
@matthemagician Professor Bennison AKA @jamesbennison88 your maths course had me laughing to the Nth Degree (where N is painfully large)
@tinagandi1 @jamesbennison88 makes maths funny. No more mathematical nightmare for me!
@knobblykneez Life of Pi @jamesbennison88 No finer set of maths puns in Edinburgh. Maths music and irrational opinion on a certain professor!
@RoxyLD84 Back home after a five hour drive and still laughing at @jamesbennison88 life of pi
This year he is tackling his biggest love, superheroes. Over the last year he has done everything in his power to follow in comic book superheroes' footsteps and relive their origin stories to get superpowers. In Brighton, Camden and most of all Edinburgh he will be showcasing his experiences and, more importantly, his astonishing new powers.
Unfortunately, as anyone with no job and a love of the arts will know, going to three separate festivals is mighty expensive and the funds raised from contributers on Indiegogo will allow him to a) have a bed, b) advertise his show, c) get to Edinburgh and d) afford the many adventures he has undertaken to attain his superpowers.
What He Needs
He is aiming for exactly £1000. It has been his life dream to attain this amount. And not only his dream but the dream of his bank manager and many creditors.
£250 - £400 - Accommodation
He's only doing half a run and he is more than willing to share a bed with a strange man to get cheaper accommodation. Worst come to worst and he doesn't achieve this goal he will almost certainly have to get a hostel which won't be nice but will definitely be a bed.
£150 - Flyers and Posters
A crucial part to any Fringe experience. Simply put you need flyers and posters if you are going to get anyone to see your show. No matter how much he makes, James will be putting the first £100 into flyers for his show. The other £50 goes to the amazing designer who created the comic book cover image for the flyer.
£100 - Travel
At that time of year its expensive and James isn't old enough to have a young person's rail card or a car anymore (it drowned in the Thames).
£200 - Costume
To look the part James has made a professional superhero costume with extra long cape. Its something truly special.
The rest - Props and Research
This sounds trivial but over the year James has undergone a lot of research to get superpowers.
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Archery training
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Psychic School
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Aquatic communication (via Sea Life Centre)
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Alien hunting (including brand new tent)
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Space Ship building (including bicarbonate of soda)
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Nuclear Power Plant infiltration
Including travel this has been the single biggest cost. To recoup even a small amount of this would mean he can afford to eat for another day.
The Impact
This show may not make a huge impact or change the world but with the release of the new Avengers/Fantastic 4/Ant Man film and the Arrow/Flash/Daredevil TV Series, its as relevant and in the public spotlight as its ever going to be. There is a huge audience for this kind of show and will be written by someone who knows the source material through years of painstaking unpopularity.
Last year in his mathematical based show, he attracted sell out crowds and this year is in one of the most popular venues, The Voodoo Rooms which seats over 100 people. Attracting any fans from last year and any newcomers attracted to the superhero angle, he is sure to get huge amounts of people into the show.
Risks & Challenges
Of course the major challenge is to get the audience numbers in to see the show. This can only be combatted by huge amounts of promotion and flyering, something that James has 4 previous years worth of Edinburgh experience in. As well as that the show will sell itself by being a stand out concept from the countless other comedy shows.
The other risk of course is that it isn't funny! This is something James has been workshopping and perfecting through hundreds of stand up gigs. As well as that, before he gets to Edinburgh, he has over 15 previews of which to trial the show and make sure works as a whole. By the time he gets to Edinburgh the show will be perfected. Guaranteed
Other Ways You Can Help
Even if you can't contribute yourself you can still help! Here are just a few ideas how!
- Come and see the show
- Tell everyone you know about the show
- Go onto sites like Broadway Baby or other fringe sites and write reviews on the show
- Spread the indiegogo campaign and encourage others to enjoy
- Retweet! @jamesbennison88
