What is the best thing that I love about my work? The people, always the people.
I have four jobs/passions. I teach ‘Fun exercise for people over 60’ which is my main job and passion. I love to encourage older people to dance and stay fit and active while doing so. I was once told I may never walk properly again let alone dance professionally again due to a dance injury. However here I am walking, running miles for charity and best of all dancing with my classes daily.
This has enabled me to win Community Coach of the Year with UK Coaching and Sport England. I entertain in care homes with my husband (on keyboards) we are called Singalongwithalice. This is another passion of mine. Especially working with people who have dementia. Music and singing makes people come alive and every time is like a big party. We work with blind people and people who have had a stroke with movement rehabilitation. I also love to run dance classes for children with Autism.
Here is an article I wrote about this.
I also work as a stand up comedian (Alice B) and cabaret performer (Sweet Fanny Addams) Winner of ITV’s Take the Mic. Performing on the London and UK comedy circuit includes Edinburgh Festival / Ruby Wax Show / Harry Hill Show/ The Comedy Store. Poetry. I write and perform poetry. Five books published under the name Alice Benson available on Amazon and Waterstones book shops. I am part of double act Words2Music performing at various festivals, arts centres, Edinburgh festival, National Trust historic houses. We address current social themes, with humour and a mindfulness message.
What is my idea of happiness? Being healthy / happy / spending as much time as I can with my husband and our two dogs and two cats and friends and family. Also, the privilege of doing what I love and trying to make a difference.
What is my greatest fear? Not being able to do the work I love
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? Sometimes I am way too easy going, a bit of a people pleaser. I can find it difficult to say no.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? Arlene Philips / Irene Estry / Joan Collins / Julia Lewis Drayfus
What is my greatest extravagance? Charlie our white German Shepherd who I bought 14 months ago he was very very expensive. And perfume, this one of my big vices. (expensive/ cheap I don’t mind as long as it is strong)
On what occasion would I lie? To make someone feel better. White lies. I am terrible at lying though.
I am a bit superstitious about lying I think it is bad luck so I very rarely if ever lie other
than to make someone feel better.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? I love everything I do. I think the only thing that I sometimes dislike with comedy, is that everyone is an expert. Complete strangers will come up to you afterwards and deconstruct your routine after a show sometimes. Believe it or not I don’t mind hecklers too much as I have plenty of prepared comeback jokes.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work? Number one – probably Winning the UK Coaching Award is up there. My class were all watching on live stream, my husband was in the audience. Number Two – Performing at the Comedy Store Manchester for the first time after I won a national competition. there was a signed picture of Robin Williams on the wall that was an incredibly happy wow moment for me. I genuinely think my very happiest moments are ‘every time’ a care home resident smiles or joins in. Residents who have had a stroke or who are generally unresponsive who begin finding themselves able to move again or start to speak again because of a connection I have made with them through music and songs. These moments are so special happy and very precious to me.
If I could, what would I change about myself? I suffer from an anxiety condition which I manage with exercise and mindfulness but at times can become debilitating.
What is my greatest achievement in work? Helping a resident in a care home to speak again for the first time in a very long time, move his hands to the music, and tell me funny stories about his youth in the army.
Where would I most like to live? New York / Munich but I do love London where I live
What is my most treasured possession? Does husband count? My animals . n enormous leather bound family Bible given to me by my Grandfather who was given it by his Grandmother and by her Grandmother. Paintings from my Grandfather
What is my most marked characteristic? Always laughing or smiling or looking for the funny. And my bright red lipstick and nails.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city? I love Camden by the lock, where my fellow Goths and alternative folk like to frequent. I love the West End generally.
What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? In London it has to be Chinatown and Soho. It is vibrant and so alive. I used to work in a drag club in Chinatown until 4am it was a fabulous place to be.
My other favourite place to go is Rockwater bar and restaurant on the beach in Brighton Hove.
What books influenced my life and how? My favourite book is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Having written several poetry books I would say my main influences and favourites are Edgar Allen Poe, Dorothy Parker, Elizabeth-Barrett-Browning Steven Spender and of course William Shakespeare.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? Margaret Lockwood in the film The Wicked Lady, Jane Russell Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Every strong female Shakespeare character – my favourite is Lady Percy from Henry the fourth part two
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My Mother – she was beautiful, so brave, kind, fun, gentle and loving. My Father – gentle, philosopher, funny, animal lover. Professor Mark Williams Oxford Mindfulness professor Oxford University
Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? Stepbrothers with Will Ferrell – it makes me laugh over and over and over again
What role play stories in my life and work? Storytelling plays a big part in the Words2Music shows we do.
I like to look for funny stories in every day life, stories are a great way to teach and to learn. I wrote a book called Funny and Uplifting Tales last year. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Funny-Uplifting-Tales-Alice-Benson/dp/B08WZJK61J
What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ mean to me? When life threw a huge curve ball at me, being able to adapt and change direction and finding something I love to do even more than being a dancer in the west end, it’s about never ever giving up.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My husband and Soulmate Marek
Which people or companies would I like to work with? I would love to meet Irene Estry, she is health and fitness instructor to the stars. I told her via Facebook regarding inviting her to tell her story here.
What project am I looking forward to work on? Words2Music Tour of music and Poetry and the release of my next book ‘War and Inner Peace’ by Alice Benson Training for and doing the Channel Swim of 22 miles for Cancer Research UK
Where can you see me or my work in 2023?
You can contact me via any of my websites
New book is called War and Inner Peace by Alice Benson
https://www.words2music.com/
http://www.exercisewithalice.co.uk/
https://www.singalongwithalice.com/
https://vi-the-cleaner.withalice.co.uk/index.html
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? Someone who loves what they do so much that they never Retire for example the amazing actress Judy Dench
Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?
Irene Estry https://www.instagram.com/irene_estry
Frances Aviva Blane http://www.avivablane.com (Artist)
How can you contact me?
alicemarektribedi@yahoo.co.uk
singalongwithalice@gmail.com
YouTube clips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaSJrwoXmsk
Poem for a disabled children’s charity in Ukraine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WMsRstAX1o
Mini Comedy Promo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlklZe8E6wk&t=5s
My class on Zoom during the pandemic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY5nr0sBrMU
Sweet Fanny Addams gig
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aox2ZQmsA-s
Baked Potato Dance Matt Lucas funny dance during lockdown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXMzCY-v3QI
Short class clip compass theatre dance studio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xfue2IBTak
Class dance with bells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSIkRxCQv8k
My class singing Sweet Caroline at a coffee morning for Macmillan where we
raised over £700
Poetry and short story books published links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Funny-Uplifting-Tales-Alice-Benson/dp/B08WZJK61J
Book funny and uplifting Tales Alice Benson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Smile-other-poems/dp/1523328061
First poetry book by Alice Benson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Mindful-Thinking-Alice-Benson/dp/1656629356
Mindfulness poems by Alice Benson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Connection-Alice-Benson/dp/B08P8QKG76
Poems by Alice and her class
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Light-Shade-Alice-Benson/dp/1547164174
Poems by Alice Benson
The Heroine's Journey 