Think no evil of us: My life with Kenneth Williams

Article by Joe Lewis | 14 Aug 2006
This is a quite unique production. For the first half an hour you are confronted by a slightly mad, occasionally funny and generally uncomfortable impression of the late great Kenneth Williams. Your thirst for the now infamous catchphrase, "Ooh Matron" is quenched after ten minuets, and 'Kenneth' fills the remainder of the first third of the show with an increasingly schizophrenic performance. Just as you begin to feel as if you can't take much more of these ramblings (conversations with his mother, with builders and friends, all of whom are left up to you to imagine), the solo actor switches to his own persona, and begins to explain his relationship with Williams. It's difficult to know what to make of this. Whilst his story is certainly an interesting one, it fails to explain itself fully, leaving you sufficiently entertained if a little confused. The actor is certainly a talent, pulling off convincing impressions of many of the old-school comedy greats. From Noel Coward, to most of the cast of Dad's Army, and even a little snippet of Eric Morecombe (he doesn't bother with Ernie). For a fan of this era of British comedy, the show will provide a welcome trip down memory lane. But at an hour and a half long you may begin to feel a little restless, worn out by Williams and his incessant chatting and innuendos. This is a clever if a little mad bit of theatre, aimed a particular generation, which could have done with being half an hour shorter.
Plesance Courtyard (one), £9 (8), 12:00