David Benson's Christmas Party
Dick Whittington - Newbury Corn Exchange
Why Pay More nominated for top award
David to star in classic comedy
Benson does the classics
THE SCARIFYERS return in a new adventure for
Christmas... The Yule Lads
Arthur Fright (David Benson), Dickens fan and octogenarian, is disturbed from his Christmas Eve mutterings by an unearthly moaning from his chimney. Why, if it isn't the Scarifyers, hot on the trail of some Icelandic trolls... Starring Nicholas Courtney, Terry Molloy and David Benson. Written by Simon Bernard
Download it now for FREE at Cosmic Hobo
David Benson's Christmas Party
Salisbury Playhouse Studio - 12th to 30th December
Celebrate Christmas the Benson way! Lucky Wiltshire dwellers get
David all to themselves this Christmas season in this specially-
commissioned festive show. David has put together a sumptuous package
of songs, skits, ghost stories plus hilarious panto finale. David
will be joined on stage by his new pianist Ben Stock, playing
material David has developed with his ollaborator from Conspiracy
Cabaret, the brilliant Alex Silverman.
More info - Salisbury Playhouse - the first review and a gallery of photos.
Dick Whittington
Newbury Corn Exchange - Friday 1st December
to Sunday 31st December
Further adding to seasonal cheer in the South West David has again
provided the script for Newbury Corn Exchange's pantomime offering
DICK WHITTINGTON. Featuring many of the same team who made my last
year's effort, Cinderella, a record-breaking smash for the Corn
Exchange, the cast includes comic favourites Mat Baynton and Richard
Thomson, with Cal McCrystal once again at the helm as director.
More information - Newbury Corn Exchange
"For the second year running, The Traverse Theatre and the Pleasance are ahead of the field with both venues receiving five nominations each for The Stage Awards for Acting Excellence at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe....Last year’s Best Actor winner Phil Nichol is again nominated, one of four stand-up comics that have made the crossover into fully scripted theatre. Lizzie Roper, Daniel Kitson and David Benson have also secured nominations.... " More from The Stage.
The first review - and others - for Why Pay More? - currently at the Edinburgh Fringe, at the Pleasance - can be read here:
David to star in classic comedy!
Same Time Next Year
David has been asked to star in Theatre Royal Winchester's production
of the classic Broadway comedy Same Time Next Year by Bernard Slade.
Rehearsals start soon after the Edinburgh Fringe and the production
runs from 3-7 October. For more details see:
Theatre Royal
David as Superman?
July 2006 - BBC Radio One listeners were recently treated to David
vocal skills on a half-hour documentary about Superman, Waiting For Superman.
Click here to hear David's narration - and his turn as Superman himself!
More info
David Benson's Christmas Party!
A brand new festive entertainment for Salisbury Playhouse David has been invited to put together a special Christmas entertainment for Salisbury Playhouse's Salberg Studio. David promises a brilliantly entertaining mixture of music, comedy and drama - with specially-invitedlocal guests!
More here - Salisbury Playhouse
Don't forget David's other contribution to the region's festive fun - his new original script for Newbury Corn Exchange's annual panto. This year it's Dick Whittington. Details to be announced later in the year.
David is performing three previews of his new show, Why Pay More? in July. He has this to say about the show: "Why Pay More? is going to be a semi-scripted hour with me. I'll do some songs and invite guest performers, as the whim takes me. It's going to be that kind of show."
I shall also be doing a tenth anniversary run of Think No Evil of Us - My Life With Kenneth Williams
Both shows will be on at The Pleasance in Edinburgh throughout August.
Wednesday 19 July 7.30pm
Tower Arts Centre
Winchester
Tower Arts Centre
01962 867986
Thursday 20 July 8pm
Ustinov Studio
Theatre Royal, Bath
Double Bill with Lizzie Roper in Peccadillo Circus
Theatre Royal
01225 448844
Saturday 29 July 7.30pm
Etcetera Theatre
Camden, London
Double Bill with my panto son Richard Thomson in Rebus McTaggart
Etcetera Theatre
020 7482 4857
The Scarifyers -
new audio drama out on CD
Starring Nicholas Courtney, Terry Molloy and including David Benson as General Warlock, Aleister Crowley and others.
For more information plus photos: Cosmic Hobo
Hear a clip (.mp3 1,055kb)
~~~~~
2006 sees David Benson attacking the Fringe with TWO shows!
David Benson - Why Pay More?
No theme this year, just an hour with one of the most charming, witty and original performers on the fringe. David will talk to you about whatever comes into his head and will sing, as ever, like a bird (the yellow-bellied sapsucker) .
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Think No Evil of Us - My Life With Kenneth Williams
Yes, it's back! Celebrating the tenth birthday of this now-legendary show, David returns to Edinburgh where it all began. In constant demand on the U.K. touring circuit, the show has lost none of its power to enthrall. In fact, it's better than ever!
Edinburgh Festival Fringe
~~~~~
Watch this space...
For news of David's September appearance at Winchester Theatre Royal in the brilliant comedy Same Time Next Year.
A special and unusual event in the Benson schedule. David will be performing as Narrator and Vocalist in this one-off performance at Millfield Theatre in north London.
How it came about:
After a July 2005 preview of Conspiracy Cabaret at Chelsea Theatre, David was approached by audience member Professor Norbert Meyn who complimented him on his singing - and subsequently invited him to take part in this special performance. Professor Meyn’s particular interest is in using the techniques of acting in the performance of music, particularly the ‘lieder’ form, in which a more restrained and detached style has become customary.
David’s narration will help to put the songs in context. He will also perform in some of the more modern pieces both as actor and singer. Expect to hear him in full Merman mode for You’re Just In Love. Can David’s voice stand up against a renowned classical singer? Find out at this exciting event!
Starring Norbert Meyn, Jeanette Ager (Soprano) and Christopher Gould (piano)
Cinderella
Newbury Corn Exchange's Christmas Show
Written by
David Benson
With songs by
Barb Jungr and Adrian Yorke
Directed by
Cal McCrystal
Last year David made his triumphant panto
debut in the Corn Exchange's Jack and the Beanstalk, playing Dame Foxy Trot.
Now the Corn Exchange has commissioned him to write the script for this year's
show - a lavish, original pantomime with lots of laughs and plenty of heart.
Everything you would expect from a Benson show!
Directed by comic whiz Cal
McCrystal who directed David in Loot (2003) and last year's panto at Newbury.
Come and enjoy the fun - and though you won't see David on stage you may
spot him in the audience, making sure there are some of his lines left in
the show!
Newbury Corn Exchange