Ben Miller takes over Benmiller with pair of comedy shows

By Scott Stephenson

On Friday night, people from all over Huron County made their way to the lovingly restored Benmiller Community Hall in Benmiller to take in the awkwardly charming comedy of New York-based comedian Ben Miller. Miller had chartered a trip to town the moment he learned of the delightful twist of nomenclature that brought the tiny Canadian hamlet to his attention. 

 

The evening was a perfect blend of fascinating science facts and off-beat humour that was frequently punctuated by moments of silence as the urban funnyman worked diligently to figure out exactly what kind of audience he was dealing with. 

 

The crowd was very responsive to his material dealing with the various ailments that have plagued his existence, but became rather resistant when it came to even the most preliminary of crowd work. People refused to engage with either Miller or his more-crass opening act, Mark Henley, when he asked them hard-hitting questions like “Where do you work?” and “Do you have siblings?” At one point, a woman in the audience grew chilly and began closing windows, and instructed Miller to do the same, which he kindly obliged before continuing with his routine, though he did point out that the earlier audience had been the ones to open them.

 

While the crowd may not have been forthcoming with the details of their personal lives, they were generous when it came to laughter. Miller impressed audiences with his knowledge of rocks and his overall success as a sickly kind of guy just trying to ply his trade in a harsh and unforgiving world. Hopefully, Ben Miller will someday return to Benmiller for another great night of shows.