A councillor turned comedian is to lift the lid on his trip from committee rooms to comedy clubs.
Former St Paul’s ward councillor Ben Powell (Lab) who, until stepping down in May to concentrate on his comedy career, was the youngest councillor on Cheshire West and Chester Council, is performing a new show at the Liverpool Comedy Festival on September 21. The 9pm gig is titled Ex-Politician.
Ben, already tipped for the top as a comedian by the Pioneer’s sister paper the Liverpool Echo, held a number of senior positions on the council including shadow cabinet member for finance.
He was also tipped for the top in politics before deciding to step back in May this year.
Since taking up comedy Ben has toured the country with Josie Long, performed at the Glastonbury and the Edinburgh Fringe festivals and has appeared on the bill with top comedians including Holly Walsh and Patrick Monahan.
In 2014 he was named Live at the Pilgrim Comedian of the Year in Liverpool and earlier this year his comedy was featured on the Sunday Politics Show on BBC1.
In his show Ben will tell all about his time on the council and what it feels like to be a ‘washed up ex-politician’ at the age of 28.
Speaking ahead of the gig he promised not to hold anything back during his performance.
“As far as I’m aware, I am the only former councillor on the comedy circuit and I think that gives me a unique perspective to offer,” he suggested.
“For example I bet people have always wanted to know what politicians really want to say to each other when they’re arguing in a debate.
“While I wasn’t known for holding back in the chamber there were certainly times that I came close to going further and now I can finally say what I was thinking.”
He added, however: “I’m not going to take up all of the show with politics though.
“This will also be a brutally honest and personal show about my journey from committee rooms to comedy clubs and the strange life that I have led with plenty of funny stories along the way.
“I can promise that you will not have the chance to see a similar show this year. I hope to see as many people as possible coming along.”
Tickets are available from the Liverpool Comedy Festival website or 0151 709 4321.
