Ben Russell: The Pilot (MICF)

Since the runaway success and podcast spinoff of his 2015 show Tokyo Hotel, Ben Russell has become the man to watch for theatrical sketch comedy. With his training at Chicago's famous Second City, the improv and character king can mime his way into an enthralling story that takes the audience on a wild ride of crazy personas and clever gags.

The Pilot sees Russell embody a slew of interesting and hilarious characters. From the plastic and saccharine flight attendants to the eccentrics in first class, Russell demands total attention and completely transports his audience to his weird and wonderful world of make-believe.

The Pilot is a solid hour of sketch work, but the curse that Russell holds is that of having to rise to his own prior successes. His new work, when compared to that of Tokyo Hotel, lacks a certain sense of depth and emotion that Russell is so clearly capable of. The Pilot relies heavily on more stereotypes than purely unique characters (which Russell is incredibly adept at doing) and the result doesn't quite hit the mark in the way that other Russell shows have done in the past.

Returning fans may find The Pilot a little lacking in that special spark that the comic can put into his shows, but newbies to Russell's work will find in him an enthralling and charming master of creating characters. It's another incredibly unique piece from Russell, and enough to garner plenty of anticipation as to what he'll do next.

Ben Russell presents The Pilot till 23 Apr at Melbourne Town Hall, part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.