On a wedge created by crossroads in Southeast Exeter used to lie an oak memorial bench – until it was burnt to the ground and replaced with a new cedar bench reading “in loving memory of the bench.” That fateful day, a Big Tuesday to rub salt into the wound, shook the tight-knit community to its core. Which is why the Neighbourhood Association Committee, Mike Wozniak included, is on the hunt for the perpetrator. Flipping open his official citizen led enquiry notebook, Wozniak lists off some of the key hunches, from which we, amateur sleuths, get to work.
Sporting a brown corduroy suit and his signature moustache, Wozniak certainly looks the part – if the part is a detective from the 1970s. But the way he plays the part makes for a truly hilarious hour.
Wozniak reels off an endless stream of residents, including any “relevant” (always irrelevant) context, from Chris the “adolescent, heteronormative cocker spaniel” to Cliff Pipe’s continuous claim that anything bad is caused by lightning. It’s the intricate details of these life stories and relationships that make you feel as if you’re sat in a town meeting in the hall of a remote English village. Wozniak is the mayor of tangents and “just quickly” is his catchphrase. Though one liners and anecdotes leading up to punchlines are dotted throughout the show, the writing’s strength is that it doesn’t over rely on this, instead focusing on these wacky, but also relatable, characters and storylines. Dropping a “crumbs!” here or there, as well as offhand comments such as “if you’ve got a scandal, you ain’t getting best in bloom,” added to his country bumpkin Watson figure.
Though sticking to his persona throughout, snippets of conversations with the audience further demonstrated his tremendous and quick wit as he answered questions and speculations with further stories packed with humour.
Playing out rather like a live, one-man mockumentary, Mike Wozniak: The Bench oozes with personality and ridiculousness, making it a must see for any fans of absurd comedy.
Though finished at the Fringe, you can see Mike Wozniak: The Bench on tour in the UK from September 2026 to May 2027.
Find out more and buy tickets here.
Image provided by Assembly to The Student as press material.
