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Dr Whom? My Search for Samuel Johnson

August 28, 2009

David BensonAssembly @ George St
22-31 Aug, 3.20pm

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As he reminds us, just in case we didn’t know, David Benson became a Fringe star in 1996 with his legendary show about his comedy hero, Kenneth Williams. He also shares a salutary tale about his envy of the actor Michael Sheen, who played Williams in the television play, Fantabulosa. Is this relevant to his new show about another of his heroes, Samuel Johnson, you may ask? Well, yes, because Johnson is eloquent, witty and wise on the subject of Envy, as on most subjects.

Benson clearly has a passion for Johnson, regards him as almost unknown, or at least unread, these days, and is hoping to inspire his audience to rush into the nearest Waterstone’s and buy up all the Johnson they can lay their hands on. He gives a part-performance, part-conversation, part-slide lecture about all things Johnsonian, without a wig or stockinged leg in sight.

We get a glimpse into some of the more controversial or popular definitions in Johnson’s famous dictionary, a facsimile of which lies open on a lectern stage right. Such definitions include “oats” – a grain fed to horses in England, and eaten by humans in Scotland; and “rant” – high-sounding language without the proportional dignity of thought.

He urges us to try Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia, an essay on the ‘choice of life’ composed to help Johnson’s dying mother and later pay for her funeral; he reads us extracts from Boswell; and, most tellingly, he recites some of Johnson’s own exquisite prose. He has two voices for Johnson – one the authentic Lichfield growl, and the other the beautifully modulated voice that he feels sure best expresses Johnson’s nobility of thought.

There are no vocal fireworks or facial contortions, there is no outrageous comedy, this is altogether a more low-key affair than his affectionate tributes to Williams and Frankie Howerd. But this 70-minute show conveys an admiration and affection just as profound. It’s a must not only for Johnson enthusiasts, but for anyone who enjoys the English language, and the sound of the English language, in all its variety.

- Giles Cole

Written by admin · Filed Under Fringe Reviews, Reviews 

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