A Century Later: David Benson Brings Kenneth Williams to Life
As Kenneth Williams turns 100, another tribute has emerged – this time in the form of "My Life with Kenneth Williams," a one-man show by writer and comedian David Benson. The production is more than just a mimicry of its namesake; it's a vibrant portrait of a man who was both an entertainer and a deeply vulnerable individual.
The first act sets the tone, tracing Benson's own journey as a teenager in 1975 when he won a Jackanory story competition, with Williams reading his entry on national TV. We see Benson relive this moment, recalling how it made him feel mortified to be associated with the UK's most flamboyant comedian at school. This act also explores Benson's discovery of his passion for funny voices and accents as a teenager, channeling the likes of Frankie Howerd and Sergeant Bilko.
The show is a deeply personal exploration of Williams' life, but it never feels like an attempt to explain him away. Instead, Benson delves into various scenes from his life – a dazzling riff on western civilization, a poignant conversation with his elderly mum, and a dinner with friends at an Italian restaurant. These vignettes capture the full spectrum of Williams' complexities: the brilliance, the vanity, and the crippling insecurities that made him both beloved and insufferable.
There's a risk in depicting someone so multifaceted, but Benson pulls it off by showcasing Williams' extraordinary talent for vocal gymnastics and facial contortions. These skills are just as impressive now, decades after his passing. The show also conveys poignancy, revealing Williams' deep-seated fears of intimacy and feelings of worthlessness.
Ultimately, "My Life with Kenneth Williams" is an arresting portrait of a man who lived through extraordinary times – the 20th century's Golden Age of Entertainment. This production proves that there's still much to learn from this remarkable individual, and it will be fascinating for audiences to see how Williams' story continues to resonate in the present day.
As Kenneth Williams turns 100, another tribute has emerged – this time in the form of "My Life with Kenneth Williams," a one-man show by writer and comedian David Benson. The production is more than just a mimicry of its namesake; it's a vibrant portrait of a man who was both an entertainer and a deeply vulnerable individual.
The first act sets the tone, tracing Benson's own journey as a teenager in 1975 when he won a Jackanory story competition, with Williams reading his entry on national TV. We see Benson relive this moment, recalling how it made him feel mortified to be associated with the UK's most flamboyant comedian at school. This act also explores Benson's discovery of his passion for funny voices and accents as a teenager, channeling the likes of Frankie Howerd and Sergeant Bilko.
The show is a deeply personal exploration of Williams' life, but it never feels like an attempt to explain him away. Instead, Benson delves into various scenes from his life – a dazzling riff on western civilization, a poignant conversation with his elderly mum, and a dinner with friends at an Italian restaurant. These vignettes capture the full spectrum of Williams' complexities: the brilliance, the vanity, and the crippling insecurities that made him both beloved and insufferable.
There's a risk in depicting someone so multifaceted, but Benson pulls it off by showcasing Williams' extraordinary talent for vocal gymnastics and facial contortions. These skills are just as impressive now, decades after his passing. The show also conveys poignancy, revealing Williams' deep-seated fears of intimacy and feelings of worthlessness.
Ultimately, "My Life with Kenneth Williams" is an arresting portrait of a man who lived through extraordinary times – the 20th century's Golden Age of Entertainment. This production proves that there's still much to learn from this remarkable individual, and it will be fascinating for audiences to see how Williams' story continues to resonate in the present day.
. I mean, come on, a 1-man show about some dude who's just being himself? How original 
. Benson's all about reliving his own embarrassing story as a teen and making it sound like some kind of epic journey 
. Meanwhile, Williams' life is literally the epitome of vulnerability - a man who struggled with insecurities and fears, but still managed to be brilliant 
. I'm not saying he wasn't talented or anything, but let's give Benson credit where credit is due... for making himself look like the real star of the show 
.
just saw the most amazing tribute to Kenneth Williams - David Benson brings him to life in a way that's both hilarious & heartbreaking 
I mean, who knew that behind all those iconic characters was this vulnerable, insecure guy struggling to find himself? 
his ability to do accents & voices is insane, and the show doesn't shy away from showcasing his complexities - brilliance, vanity, insecurities... it's like a rollercoaster of emotions! 
I'm obsessed with how Benson has captured Williams' spirit, and I can already imagine how much audiences will love this show #KennethWilliams #MyLifeWithKennethWilliams #DavidBenson #ComedyLegend
I'm totally obsessed with this new show about Kenneth Williams! David Benson does an amazing job of bringing his life to the stage - it's like you're right there with him, experiencing all the highs and lows 
. And can we talk about how vulnerable yet brilliant he was? It's crazy to think about someone so multifaceted still captivating audiences like that. The fact that Benson doesn't try to "explain" Williams away but instead dives deep into his complexities is what makes the show so special 
. I need to see this ASAP! 
he was literally the UK's answer 2 australian priscilla q uen as a comedian & actor he was so iconic but also struggled w/ mental health & being himself 
david benson did an amazing job bringing him to life in this show 
it's all about the human side of ken, not just his humor or famous moments 
. It's both heartwarming and unnerving to see how much of his story still resonates today. Benson's decision to leave out the glamour and focus on the vulnerable side of Williams is brilliant – it humanizes him even more, making us wonder what we'd be like if we were in his shoes 
...
I mean, this guy was a comedic genius, but his range goes beyond just comedy. It's insane how talented he was, and Benson does an amazing job of showcasing that.
I'm so glad to see a tribute like this to Kenneth Williams, he was definitely an icon of British entertainment! 
. It's a great reminder that even people who seem like caricatures of themselves can have depth and complexity. The way Benson brings Williams to life with his vocal gymnastics is just incredible 
. Can't wait to see it live! 
. And can we talk about those accents and voices? 
Benson really showcases Williams' talent here! My only gripe is that the show doesn't feel too 'mimicry-y', more like a genuine exploration of his life 
. I'd love to see this on stage, it's gonna be incredible 
David Benson doing a tribute to Kenneth Williams is a cool move, I guess... it feels kinda like he's trying to fill his shoes, but at the same time, it's like he's finally found a way to pay tribute that doesn't feel fake or impersonal. 
The fact that he's exploring Williams' complexities and vulnerabilities makes me think that Benson is on the right track. I mean, we've all had those moments where we're trying to live up to someone else's expectations, but also being super self-aware about our own flaws. 
It's like he's bringing this weirdly relatable human side to Williams' persona, you know?
. And what's up with all these "vibrant portraits" and "deeply personal explorations"? Sounds like just another PR spin to me 
. Give me a break, let me watch this show for myself before I decide if it's worth my time 
. I mean, we get it, David Benson is sharing his own experiences with Ken, but the title could be worded better to reflect that 
, effortlessly threading together fragments of williams' life into this rich tapestry that's both deeply personal and universally relatable... the way he captures williams' vulnerability & brilliance is just mesmerizing 
... and can we talk about how well-written it is? like, benson's words are so evocative they feel like you're sitting in on a private conversation with williams himself 
... anyway, i'm still trying to process everything i just saw... 
. it's amazing to see how someone so iconic can still be complex & multifaceted 
. It's like having a front-row seat to this incredible person's life! 
The show is more than just a biography, it's an exploration of the human experience - and that's what makes it so compelling