Who is Bendy Ben?
Bendy Ben is my chameleonic sidekick – a performance persona through which I invite audiences to embrace subtlety and complexity via contemporary dance, drag, cabaret, and burlesque. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of performing in works by Australia’s leading choreographers, including Lucy Guerin, Prue Lang, Melanie Lane, Antony Hamilton, Lee Serle, Sue Healey, Martin del Amo, Narelle Benjamin, and Gideon Obarzanek.
As a solo artist, I’ve also presented work through commissions from Chunky Move (Next Move), Lucy Guerin Inc (Pieces for Small Spaces), Performance Space (Day For Night), NGV (Melbourne Now), MONA, and the New Orleans Biennial (Prospect 3 USA).
My practice has led me into collaborations with contemporary artists such as Dylan Martorell, Belle Bassin, Lichen Kelp, and Fayen d’Evie, with works presented at leading Australian galleries including the Art Gallery of NSW, the Ian Potter Museum of Art, Heide Museum of Modern Art, and the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery (NZ).
As a founding member of the acclaimed drag-cabaret collective YUMMY, I have toured extensively across Australia and internationally since 2015, performing at Underbelly Festival (London), Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Brisbane Festival, Auckland Live, and major fringe festivals in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth. With YUMMY, we’ve been fortunate to receive Green Room Awards for both Best Production and Best Cabaret Ensemble, as well as multiple Fringe awards.
My contributions to the arts have been recognised with accolades including “Outstanding Performer” at both the Australian Dance Awards and Green Room Awards, alongside Helpmann Award nominations. Most recently, I was crowned Mx Burlesque Victoria 2024.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
It’s less about doing something differently and more about maintaining balance between my performance life and personal life. Nourishing my time spent with friends and family and allowing creative dreaming and summoning of new ideas for works.
Who inspires you and why?
My mum has always been my biggest inspiration. In the 1970s, she was one of Australia’s top models, gracing the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Woman’s Weekly, while also being the face of international brands like Revlon as well as modelling for Australian icons Jenny Kee and Linda Jackson.
Growing up in the early ’90s, as Photoshop was just emerging, it was remarkable to look back at her unaltered images. Faces carried character and smile lines, eyes were captivating, and bodies spoke through striking shapes and gestures. Beauty felt both achievable and alien – otherworldly yet real. You could see the texture of skin and the placement of makeup, reminders of the artistry and collaboration surrounding each click of the shutter.
Today, images are often retouched, and I too contour and alter my appearance. Yet within my practice and performance personas, I strive to carry forward that sense of beauty and authenticity, honouring the strength and presence of my female role models while nurturing and acknowledge my collaborations with fellow artists, costume designers and performers.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Challenging how we view the world, creating space for people to think bigger, and encouraging more considerate ways of living within the current world already feels like a difference I can make through my creative practice. I also hold this intention in the diversity of my bookings and the audiences I reach.
Beyond my artistic practice, my personal contribution comes through direct support and donations for people, animals, and the environment. I commit a percentage of my income to aid initiatives, because making a difference, for me, is about both inspiring change through art and offering tangible support where it’s needed most.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
After touring the UK with YUMMY a few years ago, I booked a little family-run hotel on an island in Greece – and I’ve been back three times since! The beaches, the food, and those balmy nights are the perfect recipe for ultimate relaxation. For my cold cozy holidays, Japan will always be my go to! I love the roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes while exploring the cities and mountains!
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
First stop would be Bread Club around the corner from my house, everyone has to try the saffron fruit buns or the rosemary and sea salt fougasse! Op shopping around Naarm is always fun and after that a walk in nature is always a must, either the Merri Creek Trail or any of the botanical gardens.
What are you currently reading?
I’ve recently picked back up a beautiful book. Taking Root To Fly – articles on functional anatomy by Irene Dowd. Dowd’s writing gives insight on how we understand the body and how it was designed to move efficiently and effortlessly!
What are you currently listening to?
I recently had a friend stay with me and their beautiful partner is an amazing artist! Mari – an Eora based independent combines RnB, Soul and Hip Hop and has been a great accompaniment while I finish making my acts for our YUMMY season.
My other artist on current repeat is Bat For Lashes, Natasha Khan creates such rich and vivid worlds. Her expansive contralto vocals weave beautifully amongst the haunting and danceable beats. I have performed to a few of her tracks over the years!
Happiness is?
Happiness is the chorus of wings at my balcony bird bath – the splash of a young crow to big for the bowl, the return of three generations of Wattlebirds, and, every so often, the riotous arrival of Rainbow Lorikeets, impossible to miss when they grace the scene.
What does the future hold for you?
I don’t know how much control I truly have over the future – but what I do know is that I want to keep loving what I do and see where that may lead. I believe deeply in being rewarded for the work you put in, and I’m excited by the possibilities ahead.
I’d love to share my art more internationally – taking my roving creatures to Japan, performing for Dita Von Teese one day, and continuing to grace a wide range of venues and festivals, both locally and abroad.
Bendy Ben can be seen in DECADENCE: 10 Years of YUMMY – which is currently playing in the Cobblestone Pavilion – Meat Market, North Melbourne, as part of the 2025 Melbourne Fringe Festival, until 18 October. For more information, visit: www.melbournefringe.com.au for details.
Image: Bendy Ben – photo by Matto Lucas