Ben Verth: Local Boy Makes Good

Growing up, Ben Verth wanted to be "either a paleontologist or a conservationist." Studying British and European History at the University of Edinburgh, he has spent his twenties within the very city he now entertains. His background in studying history seems to have spanned to comedy now as he talks openly and enthusiastically about the birth of the Scottish comedy scene. 

"Undoubtedly, comedy proper in this country started with The Stand in the late 80's. There was a collective called 'The Funny Farm' with Fred MacAuley, whom I consider the granddaddies or the Woody Guthries of Scottish comedy. And The Stand is the Bob Dylan or the Joan Baez." Verth speaks affectionately of both The Stand and its many products over the years.

"There's a bit of a comedy explosion in Edinburgh started by them, making us the children of The Stand if you like. It’s really quite thriving". Verth is referring to the multitude of comedy nights thoughout the city; Beatnik at the Tron, Rick Molland's night at The Jekyll & Hyde, the We Happy Few nights (an Edinburgh collective he himself is a part of), The City Cafe, The Beehive and the recently opened nights at The Shack.

The Fringe has played a big part in establishing Edinburgh on the comedy map, and perhaps its most famous participants were the Beyond The Fringe team of Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Alan Bennett and Jonathan Miller. "And when it was in Edinburgh it was in The Lyceum Theatre, and these four guys who I hold up as comedy heroes and influences stayed locally on Cambridge Street. So, whenever I walk past the flat that they stayed in I pause and take a look at it and imagine what it would be like in those days."

The fondly-remembered sketch show Absolutely also holds a special place in Verth’s heart. “It was an Edinburgh sketch show as opposed to a Scottish one. They eventually made it to television through radio and it was a really great show, like an 80's Monty Python. The main thing that appealed to me was that it was the same kind of voice me and my dad spoke with, and they inhabited the same sort of places I did.

"One of the places they used to write and chat in was Bannermans pub. And I really liked doing what they did and using it as a place to sit and write ideas. It’s got that historical aspect, it's a pub settled in the rock of the south bridge. And like the Cambridge Street flat it is a symbol of attainment and the ability to take success to the next level.

"And also, it couldn't be considered a place but Paul Sneddon (aka Vladimir McTavish – one of the break away comedians of the Scottish comedy scene) is a great symbol of attainment for me. He has an established fanbase, still works and is just a wonderful man. He was one of the people I saw, whilst growing up, on television. And when I started writing sketches for 'Melting Pot' I almost shat when I saw he'd be one of the people performing it."

And what of the future? "I think there is a wonderful renaissance going on not just in Edinburgh but in Scottish comedy in general. More established acts are feeling the freedom to do something different. I'm really feeling I'm on the pulse of it and have a real sense of pride to be a part of the current scene."