Perth Voice Interactive

HOORAY for Ben Target! That rhymes, by the way, if you speak its French pronunciation, “tar-jay” (like the department store).

Target is having the last laugh after years of correcting people—and copping jokes, especially during his UK school days—by touring the world with a show that pokes fun at his name.

“I’m fond of it now,” he says on the phone from chilly London, the sounds of breakfast in the background. But he did sound a bit weary of having to tell journalists, “no I didn’t make the name up”. Along with sending up his name Target says, “I like the word hooray”.

The show received rave reviews at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with The Guardian gushing Target, “is one of very few comics who manage to do something new with the art form while keeping an audience thoroughly entertained”. “[His] rare, gentle mind seems peculiarly open to the comic possibilities of the universe,” The Scotsman said.

While there’s plenty of R- and X-rated shows for the Perth Fringe this one is a family affair, aimed at kids, with plenty for adults too.

It’s based around time Target with his eccentric Australian grandfather who, “got into baking and building cork castles”.

Trapping possums in the roof cavity by attracting them with peanut butter sandwiches—and then setting them free in the bush—was a regular event: “It seemed exotic to me coming from London where it’s just people walking dogs.”

Granddad’s baking is part of the show with audiences asked to help bake an imaginary cake.

“The more imagination the better the cake,” Target says.

And he doesn’t mind if kids steal the show: “They are incredibly imaginative, and it feels like an absolute gift when kids want to give something to the show.”

Hooray for Ben Target is on at the Blue Room Theatre, James Street, Northbridge January 23–27. With the 2015 Perth Fringe Festival kicking off this week there’s a feast of theatre, arts and entertainment across Perth and Fremantle until February 22. And with prices ridiculously low there’s no excuse not to indulge.

by JENNY D’ANGER