Aim

Help two first-time Fringers take their character comedy show to Edinburgh (and protest genAI while you're at it)!

What better way to protest poor AI usage than by supporting two devious character comedians in their quest to give audiences a good time?

We’re so excited to bring ‘Beth & Ben: Your Place to the Workplace’ to Edinburgh Fringe this year. Our mission is to use silly, irreverent comedy to highlight the threat AI poses to human labour in the creative industries. But we need your help to make it happen.

Who are Benth & Bethen?

Benth & Bethen was founded in 2026 by Ben Lonergan and Beth Beaden. Our previous work together at The Lambeth Fringe has been described by reviewers as 'electric', 'hilarious', and 'an hour of surreal madness', following a sold-out premier and extended run.

'Beth & Ben: Your Place in the Workplace' marks Benth & Bethen's first production as an emerging company, and (it goes without saying) our first at the Edinburgh Fringe. The project is a hopeful, collaborative, all-hands-on-deck affair, with production, writing, performance, and marketing roles being shared by the two founders. The team will work with multiple directors throughout the project, to ensure a range of perspectives and ideas are captured, whilst maintaining a core creative vision. The production will be tech heavy, and will be supported by Raye Lina, an experienced, skilled technician.

What’s the show?

Ever wanted to murder HR, assault a puppet, and sing a charming little workplace song?

Join Strategists Beth and Ben as they induct a cohort of new-starters into E.N.T.I.T.Y., a leading global superpower in all industries. When the introduction of a new AI colleague threatens to derail their workshop, they must hold the session together while proving the value of human labour.

However, plans turns awry when Ben is seduced by the AI's digital charm, while Beth is seduced by its unquestioning support for her "genius" project proposal, a deeply immoral plan to harness the raw sexual energy of criminals to solve climate change.

'Beth and Ben: Your Place in the Workplace' is an irreverent comedy on the absurdity of modern-day corporate culture, the goals overworked employees convince themselves they want to achieve, and the ever-looming fear of AI. 

Why are you going to Fringe?

Although our work has been storming London stages, Edinburgh Fringe is the true home for the kind of theatre we produce: silly, loud, immersive, character-comedy shows that prioritise giving audiences a good time.

Our piece is a tad experimental when it comes to multi-media. We’re integrating presentations, video calls, songs, audio- and video-only characters, audience participation, and some very questionable puppetry into our show. If there’s one place in the world where independent theatre makers can take creative risks, it’s Edinburgh.

Why do you need help?

We’ve been offered a slot in Braw Venue’s Hill Street Theatre (Dunedin) for a two-week run, and we can’t wait to bring our high-energy, multi-media, two-hander show to an Edinburgh audience.

Unfortunately making theatre is expensive. We’re independent artists, funding this show through a combination of personal expenses, and your generosity. 

All donations will go towards:

• Accommodation
• Venue hire
• Marketing
• Production costs

We’re incredibly grateful for any donations received. Your support goes towards making the show the best it can be, and sticking it to the man.*

*(AI. In this instance ‘the man’ is AI. And we’re kind of ‘sticking it to them’ by like, making fun of poor AI usage, and saying like, bad things about people who use AI wrongly. Which, I’m sure you’ll agree, is a necessary protest to support more jobs for creatives).

Wait… who even are you guys?

Ben Lonergan

Ben is an Irish director and actor who trained at MetFilm School in London. He has performed with the National Youth Theatre and Cork Arts Theatre. Most recently, he completed a run in the revival of What Fatima Did with Tara Theatre. Described by Beth as “devious.”

Beth Beaden

Beth is a playwright and actor from North London. After working as a screenwriter, Beth studied acting at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Most recently, her writing has been performed at The Golden Goose (Three Fiends Theatre), The Hen & Chickens (Upper Hand Theatre Company), and the Lion and Unicorn (Proforca Theatre) in London. Described by Ben as "devious".

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 30th August 2026 at 11:00pm