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🌟 What a Week in Benny’s Life! 🌟
Well, it’s been another busy week — and what a week it’s been!
We kicked things off on Friday with the Nottingham Comedy Festival and our Disabled Cants showcase. Everyone smashed it! I’m so proud of what they’ve achieved over the past year — every single one of them. 💪🎤
Then over the weekend, me and Denzil hosted the very first Kids Comedy Festival for Nottingham! 🎉
It was such a joy seeing so many families laughing, learning, and joining in the fun.
Sure, a few shows had to be cancelled because of low numbers — and I get it, people don’t want to travel two hours for an empty room — but the shows that did go ahead were full of energy and heart.
Saturday night brought us Charlotte Reynolds and Alex Mitchell with their Work in Progress shows — both were absolutely on fire! 🔥
It was brilliant to watch and even better to promote their work.
Then on Sunday evening, we wrapped up the weekend with one last showcase of up-and-coming talent — everyone doing longer sets, and even with a small crowd, they gave it their all. 👏
💍 Sarah and Ian’s Wedding 💍
It made me so happy to share in the joy of two wonderful people getting married — Sarah and Ian.
As some of you know, August and September were really tough months for me. I struggled a lot with my mental health.
But I made myself go — and I’m so glad I did. I got to meet new friends, reconnect with old ones, and celebrate the love of two amazing people. It reminded me how important it is to get out there, even when things feel heavy. ❤️
💔 A Personal Reflection
Last night I struggled again. Someone I love and respect messaged me, telling me what I already knew — that she’s not looking for anyone right now. And I knew that, so why did she text me? I guess I’ll never really know.
Yes, I did break up with her, and yes, I did it the wrong way. My mental health can make me act before I think. But I truly hope Jess finds happiness, love, and respect — whether that’s in a few months or a few years.
I only want the best for her. We had some great years together, and I’ll always be grateful for that. 💙
🎭 Comedy Tip of the Week
If you’re going to apply for a spot in a comedy festival, make sure you’ve got a good show.
Don’t just go, “Oh, I’ll do a comedy show, I’ll be fine,” and then turn up saying you haven’t got enough material.
1️⃣ It makes you look bad.
2️⃣ It gives you a black mark on your comedy career.
We all want you to do well in comedy — and most promoters will book you again and again if you’ve got a great show.
I learnt quickly that you can’t just think, “I’ve got an hour, I’ll fill it with joke after joke.”
Sometimes that works — but with an hour-long show, audiences want more. They want to know why you’re doing it, what makes you you, and the highs and lows of your story. That’s what great comedy is built on.
Or, if you’re a character act, do sketches — that works brilliantly too!
And if you’re new, try teaming up with three other comedians to do a compilation show. That way, you only need to do a 20-minute set, and if you run out of material, your mates can pick up the slack.
I’m learning quickly that the people who stick around are the ones who truly respect you. They’re not there just because you pay them — they’re there because they care about you and want to see you succeed. ❤️
🎭 Back to Work
Today I was back performing Blue Badge Bunch at Heysen Green, and what a joy that was!
We had 20 amazing children, and the questions they came out with were hilarious — like, “Where do you think I’m from?” One said America, another said Scotland! 😂
Moments like that remind me why I love what I do.
Here are some photos below — and a special thank-you to my friend Sarah for sending me a few snaps from her camera. 📸
It’s been a whirlwind week full of laughs, lessons, and love — and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
#TheRealBenny #DisabledCants #BlueBadgeBunch #NottinghamComedyFestival #KidsComedyFestival #ComedyForAll #BennyShakes #MentalHealthAwareness #ComedyTips #InclusiveComedy #KeepGoing
Benny Shake 
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