Working an audience...it's elementary for Ben Langley (From Enfield Independent)

Working an audience...it's elementary for Ben Langley

1:53pm Wednesday 27th April 2011 in Theatre By George Nott

More than 17 years squeezing chortles and change from day-trippers in Covent Garden has made Ben Langley an expert in working an audience.

Now the professional street performer is stepping in from the elements, putting his command of the crowd to use in his self-penned show, Ha Ha Holmes – The Beast of the Blistervilles.

“Don’t expect to just sit in the dark and watch a story unfold,“ warns Ben. “We bring in the rough and readiness of the street – the speed and pace of the Ha Ha shows take a lot from street performance.“

A parody of Baker Street’s best-known detective, this comedy thriller is a high- energy romp by a close cast of three, plus a pianist. It is the third in a continuing series, following Edinburgh Festival debut Ha Ha Hamlet and Ha Ha Hitler, which has toured all over the UK.

Its success is thanks in no small part to Ben’s knack for maintaining an audience’s attention. A vital tool for the professional street performer, because without it, you could be going home hungry.

“There aren’t any gaps, it’s quick-fire. In Covent Garden you leave a gap and watch £50 walk away,“ says Ben. “It’s more than just having confidence. You have to always have an eye on the audience.“

"It’s more than just having confidence. You have to always have an eye on the audience."

Ben Langley

Ben began his al fresco acting career while at drama school. Through want of money, he learnt how to juggle and pounded the pavements with a “fairly shabby double act“.

“Soon I bought new props, a bag of tricks and went about writing a street show. I’ve worked out a really tight 40-minutes.

“But my God it can be demoralising, you have to get good at pulling in the crowd. Lots go out and die on their arse. Anybody can. I have. And you go home empty handed.

“It can rain, which is never good. But you get good at organising your money, putting some aside for a rainy day. Literally a rainy day.“

So how has it been adjusting to life under the spotlight, rather than the streetlights?

“I think for one you don’t have to shout all the time,“ explains Ben. “From my experience when you come indoors it tends to be more explosive, with more of an impact.“

Explosive is certainly the word, and the chemistry between the cast, which features Ben’s best friend Andrew Fettes (who is also the godfather to Ben’s son Elwood, born in December last year), is undeniable.

“It helps the comedy. We both know each other so well that we know what the other’s thinking,“ says Ben. “So we can go off and meet up again on the punchline. It’s nice to have that on stage, and have someone you know really well on stage.“

The punchlines come thick and fast with Holmes proving rich pickings for parody.

“The world has gone Holmes crazy recently. There’s just so many ideas and gimmicks. The smoking gun, pipe smoking, sideburns.

“It’s very Carry On, farcical, and, I hope, has a very British type of humour. It’s our funniest and tightest to date.

“And, of course, being in a theatre, it’s not so easy for people to walk away!“

Ha Ha Holmes – The Beast of the Blistervilles is at Millfield Arts Centre, Silver Street, Edmonton on Sunday, May 1 at 7pm. Details: 020 8807 6680