EdFringe Talk: Benjamin Alborough: Absolute Monopoly

Posted in EdFestivals 2023, Written Interviews by

“2024 will be the year of Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion (you can play as the Aztecs).”

WHO: Benjamin Alborough

WHAT: “Monopoly is a terrible game. It ruins friendships and destroys families. This interactive extravaganza will update it for the modern world to make a game that’s more competitive, more aggressive and will destroy even more families. Join comedian Benjamin Alborough as he attempts to improve Monopoly in this chaotic, interactive gameshow where audience members compete against each other and the host, with the audience physically becoming the game board. The show combines role playing, physical challenges and psychological intimidation to make something that, if not the best board game in the world, is at least short.”

WHERE: Assembly George Square – The Crate (Venue 8) 

WHEN: 17:50 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I have been to Edinburgh more times than I can count (10). I keep coming back because it allows me to divide my year up consistently with the academic calendar. For the first 18 years of my life the year ends on Aug 31st and starts on Sept 1st and I have no desire to disrupt this system, regardless of how poorly it works for me.

I love Edinburgh and I love the Edinburgh Fringe. For me it is a great excuse to get an LNER train up the East Coast.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

2022 was the year of TikTok. Proud to announce that 2023 will be the year of Age of Empires II. Discover all the latest talent from the comfort of your own LAN party setup. Crusaders are attacking your trade routes? A great opportunity to hand out some flyers.

2024 will be the year of Age of Empires II: The Conquerors Expansion (you can play as the Aztecs).

Tell us about your show.

My show is called Absolute Monopoly and it is the end result of a lifetime of frustration and anger with other players, all of whom have become my greatest enemies. I set about to rectify this through the only medium I know how; live comedy. Also there are psychological challenges and milk.
The show has toured for the past 18 months; it’s played the Brighton Spiegeltent, at the Weirdos Weekend in Leicester, Cambridge Fringe, 2Northdown, Museum of Comedy – and with the hand of incredible director Cara Compass we’ve really shaped it into something good, which must be reassuring if you’re reading this.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

I’m promoting a series of Alternative Lates at Bedlam with Ellie BW this year and we’ve had the great privilege of being able to book some of our favourite comedians in the world.

All of these shows are at 00:30 – Fringe days end at 4am so when a show says it’s on on the 4th Aug that’s on the calendar date 5th Aug. They’re listed in the programme under the umbrella “Bedlam Late”.

4th Aug – Mystika Glamoor’s Birthday Bonanza (Celebratory drag cabaret)
5th Aug – Late Night with Terry Wogan (Chat show hosted by Ol’ Tel interviewing fake celebrities)
10th Aug – Midlands Child Syndrome (Midlands themed comedy night by Lorna Rose Treen)
11th Aug – The Glang Show (Sean Morley hosts the world’s most prestigious anti-competition)
12th Aug – Hot Rubber (Scalextric themed comedy night)
15th Aug – Sam Nicoresti: Cancel Anti Wokeflake Snow Culture (2022 Fringe hit show)
16th Aug – Sam Nicoresti’s Bedtime (Sam’s sleepy show)
17th Aug – Fools Moon (Clowning cabaret)
18th Aug – Comedy Done Quick (World’s premiere speedrunning themed comedy night)
19th Aug – Boyz Nite (Trans masc cabaret hosted by Cerys Bradley)
27th Aug – Liebenspiel’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards Show

Bedlam Theatre, 11B Bristo Pl. Come check them out!

Shows that I don’t have a hand in that I’m really excited about:

Luke McQueen and Mark Silcox: Songs With My Father: I saw a work in progress of this at Machynlleth festival and it had me in tears. Mark Silcox is a genius and I can’t wait to see how they’ve changed it since then.

How To Radiate Sexual Allure: Two of the most incredible unique performers in the UK, Phil Jarvis and Barnaby J Thompson, unite to tell the story of a cannibalistic murderer who has a foot for a face. It’s a comedy. This is probably the most “something different” show on at the Fringe this year.

Batsu!: I’m a big fan of Japanese gameshows and this two hour long late night epic promises to bring them all to life. Really interested to see how they do it.

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