Biography
Jon Bennett began his comedy career with successes in many comedy competitions around Australia including Triple J’s Raw Comedy, Green Faces and Laughing Gas.
“Delightful and enthralling” – Australian Comedy Review
In 2006 Jon wrote and acted for sketch television show The Ugly Stick. The Ugly Stick received a fantastic response from both the general public and the press receiving 8 nominations in the National Antenna Awards 2006, receiving 3 awards including Best Comedy. His Radio Show of the same name also won the SYN Award for Best Comedy.
“A refreshing change. Delightful stuff.” – Rip It Up Magazine
Bennett wrote, acted and hosted C31 TV’s Barnaby Flowers Comeback Special, A Time To Talk, and Bumper Bonanza. All three shows were incredibly popular, Comeback Special receiving the National Antenna Award for Best Live Show.
“You will be so comfortable laughing, you probably won’t notice.” – The Advertiser
In 2008/2009 Jon began hosting and performing for the popular weekly event, Northcote Storytelling. His performances were so well received, he was asked to become the resident host for the entire second season.
“Jon’s homespun tales will make you laugh out loud frequently and tear up, intermittently… a unique standup experience.” – Tom Richardson, Independent Weekly
Jon then took his talents around the world and created Internet photographic phenomenon: “Pretending Things Are a Cock” which has now spawned a successful book, exhibition and live performance. Bennett has toured all around Australia and Internationally with performances in Toronto, Montreal, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City (where he performed at the World renowned ‘Moth Storytelling’).
“Genius. Bennett combines comedy, pathos and autobiography in an act that is funny, poignant and original.” – Jemma Chapman, Network Ten
Jon Bennett returned to Australia in 2010 to perform sold out shows of “Pretending Things Are a Cock” and “Storytelling with Jon Bennett” for the Adelaide Fringe and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Bennett then headed back abroad for performances in New York, Chicago and for the Monreal Fringe, where he performed to more sell out audiences and his show received a Just For Laughs Award for Best Comedy nomination.
“Bennett is a natural storyteller and will have you completely engrossed” - Montreal Mirror
Stand-up Comedy & Storytelling:
“Pretending Things are a Cock” - Montreal Fringe Festival (2010) *Just For Laughs Nomination for Best Comedy*
Performances for Too Much!, Kick Ash Comedy, Couscous Comedy and Comedyworks – Montreal (2010)
Performances for The Edge Comedy, Please Enjoy Yourself and Entertaining Julia – Chicago (2010)
Performance for The Moth Storytelling – NYC (2010)
Performance for The New York Storytellers Society – NYC(2010)
Performance for Comedy as a Second Language – NYC (2010)
“Pretending Things are a Cock with Jon Bennett” - Melbourne International Comedy Festival (2010)
“Storytelling with Jon Bennett” - Adelaide Fringe Festival (2010)
Photographic Exhibition of “Pretending Things are a Cock” chosen to be displayed at The Urban Cow Studio for the Adelaide Fringe Festival (2010)
Performances for The Moth Storytelling and Speakeasy Storytelling in New York City (2009)
Performances for Comix Comedy Club, and Comedy as a Second Language in New York City (2009)
Performance for Wharf Room Comedy in San Francisco (2009)
Performance at the University of California, Los Angeles (2009)
Performances for HEEB Storytelling, Yuk Yuks International Stand up Comedy, AltDotComedy, Comedy Central, and Hotbox – Toronto (2009)
Performances for Too Much!, Ernie Butler’s Comedy Nest, and Comedyworks – Montreal. (2009)
Resident Host and Performer for 2 seasons of Northcote Storytellers (2008/09)
Stand-up Comedy for the 2006 Falls Festival Host and MC for the 2006 Falls Festival Main Stage (Introducing bands such as “Wolfmother”, “Modest Mouse”, “Eskimo Joe” and many others)
Host of the 2006 SYN Radio Awards
Performed at MS Comedy Gala (Televised) (2003)
Support for Tripod at Charles Sturt University (Canberra 2004)
Host and MC of Melbourne University’s ‘Funniest Student’ Competition (2006/2007/2008/2010)
Host and Stand-up for Melbourne University Annual Comedy Night (2007/2008)
National Green Faces Competition (2001/2002)
Laughing Gas Comedy – Competition Winner (2001)
Triple J’s Raw Comedy – State Finalist (2000/2002)
Television:
Writer, Actor and Host of Live TV Show “Barnaby Flower’s Bumper Bonanza” (2009)
Writer, Actor and Host of TV Show “Barnaby Flowers: A Time to Talk” (2008) http://www.barnabyflowers.com/
Writer, Actor and Host of Live TV Show “Barnaby Flower’s Comeback Special” (2007) *Awarded Best Live Comedy Show at 2007 National Antenna Awards & Selected to appear in 50 years of Television Exhibition*
Writer and Actor for TV comedy show “The Ugly Stick” (2007) *Awarded Six 2006 National Antenna Awards including Best Comedy* http://www.theuglystick.com/
Host of “Uplate for Melbourne City Mission Telethon” (2007)
Radio:
Radio Presenter for “The Ugly Stick” radio show (2007) *Syn Award for Best Radio Comedy*
Guest Presenter on ThreeThousand Radio for RRR (2008)
Guest Presenter on Stefan and Craig Morning Show (2008)
Corporate Events:
Stand-up performance for TREV/AACA Annual Conference (2008)
Host and MC of the “UFilm Festival Finals” (2005/2006/2007/2008)
Host and MC of the National Campus Band Competition (2006/2007/2008)
Host of Game Launch for Sega and Playstation 2 (2005)
Host of Playstation Eye Toy Competition (2005)
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image Annual Quiz – Host and Quizmaster (2005)
Stand-up for The Australian Centre for the Moving Image Christmas Party (2004/2005)
Hosted New Price Retail Awards Night (2004)
Shows for Pesel and Carr Event Management (2004)
Hosted the Australian Centre for the Moving Image Second Birthday (2004)
Writing, Comics and Exhibitions:
‘Pretending Things are a Cock the Book’ – Published Polyester Books(2010)
Creator of Photographic series. ‘Pretending Things are a Cock’ (2009)
Articles for ‘Self Cultivation’ Magazine (2010)
Bar Reviews for “The Age” Newspaper (2008)
“Captain Inappropriate” – Writer and Artwork
“Hammerboy (Part 2)”- Writer and Artwork
“Bollard Boy” – Writer and Artwork
“For Fuck’s Sake Freddy” – Writer and Artwork (Published in TwoFold Magazine)
“Hammerboy”- Writer and Artwork (Animated for TV Show – Barnaby Flower’s Comeback Special and Published in TwoFold Magazine)
“Good Manners Girl” – Writer and Artwork (Animated for TV Show – Barnaby Flower’s Comeback Special)
Articles for Exit Magazine (2003)
