My work. People. Making enough money to pay the rent. All the usual things: why are we here, eating, sex, honest communication with my fellow human beings, travelling.
Frank Ella Peggy Fred Judy Ethel Duke Basie and all that good jazz. Dino Mel Billie
Movies
Wizard of Oz (1939), Oh! Mr. Porter (1937), Duck Soup (1933), It's a Gift! (1934), The Ladykillers (1955), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Swing Time (1936), The Band Wagon (1953), Harold and Maude (1971), The Railway Children (1970), Night of the Hunter (1955), Singin' In the Rain (1952), The Innocents (1961), 42nd Street (1932), The Cameraman (1929), Way Out West (1936), Sudden Fear (1952), It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963), The Producers (1968), Adam's Rib (1950)
Television
Hardly ever watch UK telly unless there is a good documentary or archive material. Really like BBC4. Apart from that, I appreciate clever, witty stuff like the League of Gents, Nighty Night. But as a rule I am allergic to television, mainly because I am so seldom on it myself. I like what Quentin Crisp said: 'Television is for being on, not for watching.'
Books
Alice Through The Looking Glass, The Most of S.J. Perelman, Manners From Heaven (Quentin Crisp), Life's Rich Pageant (Arthur Marshall), The Art of Ruth Draper, Kenneth Williams Diaries, Boswell's Life of Johnson, Shakespeare, more...
Quentin Crisp Samuel Johnson Spike Milligan Barry Humphries Harpo Marx Groucho Marx Jack Benny Eric and Ernie, Gerard Hoffnung, Mel Brooks, James Cagney, Frankie Howerd, Kenneth Williams, Buster Keaton, Peggy Lee, Arthur Lowe, Spencer Tracy, W.C. Fields many others...
David Benson's Details
Status:
In a Relationship
Here for:
Networking, Friends
Hometown:
London
Ethnicity:
White / Caucasian
Zodiac Sign:
Capricorn
Smoke / Drink:
No / Yes
Children:
Love kids, but not for me
Education:
Grad / professional school
Occupation:
Actor/Writer/Singer
David Benson's Schools
Park Hall School
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Graduated: 1978
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Other
I write and perform my own work mostly but am always interested in diversifying and working with other groups/artists.
I have seven shows in my repertoire at present, the first and best-known of which is Think No Evil of Us: My Life With Kenneth Williams.
I first performed this show in Edinburgh in August 1996. It won me instant recognition, to my delight and surprise. The show went on to tour the UK through-out the remainder of 1996 and 1997 and played a three-week run at the Vaudeville Theatre in the West End of London in March 1998. I thought that would be the show's final resting place; however I still perform it regularly, alongside my others, on tour round the U.K.
My great wish is to take the show to new audiences outside the U.Ks as with all my work.
My other shows are:
Mourning Glory (1998) - a sardonic remembrance of the death and funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales
To Be Frank (2001) - a meditation on the life and career of Frankie Howerd
Star Struck (2003) - about the inadvisability of meeting your heroes; featuring a depiction of an all-star party thrown by Noel Coward with guests including Frank Sinatra, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Ethel Merman, Orson Welles, John le Mesurier, Eric Morecambe, Quentin Crisp, Groucho Marx and others.
Haunted Stage (2004) - what lies behind our fascination with ghosts and ghost stories
It's a Plot! David Benson's Conspiracy Cabaret (2005) with pianist/composer Alex Silverman - a musical look at how the world works, with special reference to the Evils of Fundamentalism (scientific, religious and political), String Theory, David Icke and the New World Order, 9/11 and the London Bombings, Iraq and my experiences working in a laundromat in Riverdale, the Bronx.
Why Pay More? (2006) - written and performed for the 2006 this show is about the whole experience of doing shows at Edinburgh and about my persoanl Fringe history going back to 1983 when I was in student production that got one star in the Scotsman.
David Benson's Christmas Party - Salisbury Playhouse (2006-7)
Who I'd like to meet: Anyone who wants to meet me, really.
hiya dave, cheers for the add great work in "Goodnight Sweetheart" hope you well and working hard. please have a listen to my songs if you get a chance. airplay on BBC WM/Smooth radio etc now looking at getting my songs in tv/films/adverts etc if you know anyone who may be interested please get in touch. Steve have a fab week
If you believe in what you are doing, then let nothing hold you up in your work. Much of the best work of the world has been done against seeming impossibilities. The thing is to get the work done.
How important is true friendship in your life? I find it is the one thing I would never want to be without. I have a busy and exciting week ahead, how about you? Have a fantastic week my friend.
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Ella
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Judy
Ethel 
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