Kenneth Williams: A Celebration

Kenneth Williams was one of Britain’s most distinctive and beloved performers, in a career spanning over forty years. To celebrate his legacy, join Russell Davies, Mark Farrelly and Madeline Smith for an unforgettable journey through Kenneth’s extraordinary life. The performance showcases readings of scenes and sketches from his most iconic work, alongside moving and revealing extracts from his private diaries which will be shared onstage for the very first time. By turns hilarious and deeply poignant, this celebration pays tribute to the wit and brilliance of a true national treasure. There will also be a Q and A with the cast, and a chance to share your memories of Kenneth.

The readings are drawn from such eclectic sources as Round the Horne, Gogol’s Diary of a Madman, the Carry On films, The Bible and Jackanory, as well as the diaries and letters of Kenneth Williams and Joe Orton. The performance also showcases a host of rarely seen images of Kenneth.

Russell Davies edited The Kenneth Williams Diaries (1993) and The Kenneth Williams Letters (1994), and Madeline Smith worked with Kenneth in Carry On Matron. Mark Farrelly never met the great man but is, like so many of us, a lifelong fan.



Written, produced and directed by Mark Farrelly
Performed by Russell Davies, Mark Farrelly, and Madeline Smith
Sound by Karl Swinyard / Jack Studio Theatre, Brockley
Images courtesy of Adam Endacott