Reviews David Benson Sings Noel Coward
Vivien Devlin
Edinburgh Guide
5 August 2008
4 stars
In David Benson's 1996 Fringe First award winning show Think No Evil of Us: My Life with Kenneth Williams, Noel Coward appears in a tiny cameo role, a brilliant impersonation which led him to be cast as Coward in the BBC series, Goodnight Sweetheart. In Star Struck, (Fringe 2003) Benson hosts a fantasy dinner party where the guests include Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Groucho Marx - and the irrepressible Noel Coward. A ghostly shadowy presence, breathing over Benson's shoulder, it was high time Coward was given his own Fringe show.
Dressed immaculately in black dinner suit, bow tie and polished patent shoes, this year the all round entertainer David Benson offers a musical tribute to Noel Coward with his own inimitable, comedic style. At the piano is Stewart Nicholls (a member of the Noel Coward Society), and together they have trawled the Master's archive for both favourite and long lost songs.
In this gentle afternoon cabaret show, Benson relates a biographical snapshot of Coward with stories and anecdotes in between the numbers. This is not impersonation per se, but, here and there, he captures his unique, cool, sophisticated manner with perfect vocal intonation. The songs - with extraordinary complex rhymes at a frenetic pace - blend Gilbert and Sullivan poetic wit with 1920s/1930s American blues, moving between the comical and sentimental. Benson has taken Coward's classics but wisely gives them a fresh, personal and contemporary performance. The lights dim and he sings the beautiful bittersweet, "I am no good at love" and the heartbreaking ballad "Mad about the Boy" with a rich, romantic Sinatra air.
With a theatre trunk of feather boas, hats and jackets, Benson sings, acts and amuses his way through this delightfully entertaining and enlightening show. As well as a smooth, multi-layered voice, his imaginative talent for mime and mannerism is quite brilliant. After 12 successful years at the Fringe, David Benson once more undoubtedly proves that he has a Coward-style Talent to Amuse.
Dominic Cavendish
The Telegraph
7 August 2008
There's a chill in the air. In Edinburgh, judging from what I've seen so far, our playwrights have got a sorry case of the glums; the 2008 Fringe Festival catches the mood of an era winding up; it's fascinating how it mirrors the national sense of political drift and dread.
Relief is at hand, though. If we're all going to hell in a handcart, if we're going to be reduced to beggary, we can at least go down singing, dancing and rushing to embrace the dark side. Cabaret is back.
David Benson, one of the best Kenneth Williams impersonators, has struck gold again, this time raiding Noël Coward's songbook. He becomes the Master as he sings: dapper in tuxedo, he flutters his eyelids and delivers that clipped repartee to perfection.
There's plenty of what you'd expect - Parisian Pierrot, Mad About the Boy - and much you wouldn't. He opens with There are Bad Times Just Around the Corner: "Hurray, hurray, hurray! Misery's here to stay!" he trills. Kinda put his finger on it, there.
Audience comments
Must see!!! 06 Aug 2008
reviewer: Annie, UK
David Benson brings humour, wit and life to a string of Coward's songs, balancing famous numbers with rare gems! A feel good afternoon. A treat for lovers of evocative melody and classy lyrics. A must see!!
Recommended :) 05 Aug 2008
reviewer: Jenny, Glasgow
We've been to see David Benson every fringe for the last 4 or so years and every time his show is different from before, he's an accomplished actor, comic and a great singer and he's joined on stage this time by an excellent pianist. The show is wonderful, a perfect mix of comic banter and songs and you don't need to know Noel Coward’s music beforehand to enjoy it, personally I preferred previous shows where he talks to the audience more but that’s only because he's so good at storytelling, would definitely recommend this show!
The fringe at its best 03 Aug 2008
reviewer: Susan , Scotland
This is a show that you must see. David Benson gives a marvellous performance as Noel Coward and had the audience in the palm of his hand from the beginning to the end. Miss this at your peril.
11 Aug 2008
reviewer: GB, UK
If he weren't such an affable and well-balanced chap, David Benson would be a worry. So totally does he inhabit his characters (Kenneth Williams, Frankie Howerd and now Noel Coward) that it must be difficult for him to divorce himself from their personalities. Here he delivers another peerless performance, less drama-driven than the Williams and Howerd shows but sparkling entertainment nonetheless. Year after year he graces the Fringe with razor-sharp characterisations in literate and witty shows. Whether it be Benson as Williams or Howerd or Coward - or just Benson as Benson - you'll be in great company.