Jackanory Story Writing Competition 1975 Kenneth Williams David Benson

[@aaropajari7058]

Absolutely wonderful. Mr William's could not have known what a legend that boy would become...or how the boys own stage play would later pay such immaculately beautiful homage to him. Superb!

[@DavidBensonActor]

I hadn't thought of it that way but yes, it is uncanny that in choosing my story, he found his future representative. Thank you!

[@aaropajari7058]

@@DavidBensonActor and what a representative! I would be fascinated to know his thoughts about the play...alas impossible. I imagine he would have a legion of emotional responses, but as you say in your play, he would likely have been shocked (but I hope happy) that afterall, he was loved so much and so deeply. I wish he could have understood what he meant to so many...and far more than just a laugh.

[@GrilloTheFlightless]

It’s such a shame the program was wiped. Do you still have the story? I’d love to hear a reading from it. Perhaps as Kenneth or perhaps with the voices you intended it to have.

[@DavidBensonActor]

Yes I do have the audio recording I made in 1975 - the tape still plays! Thanks for reminding me that it is time I put it up here on YT.

[@geraintthomas6842]

@@DavidBensonActor That would be very generous of you

[@bazsuperbi]

Hey David, Mart here. Did you actually meat Kenneth? From what I know about him, he was so scared, but also so lovely 😢 Anyhow, I've got his published diaries here. Kenneth Williams - Back Drops. I'm going to read it again now, maybe after a barclays, as he might say [being a cockney and all that] Good day 😉

[@splinterbyrd]

I saw KW when I was a kid at a recording of _Just A Minute._ Chairman Nicholas Parsons was doing the introductions when KW and the other contestants (Giles Brandreth, Clement Freud and I think Derek Nimmo) sidled onto the stage. KW had a certain stage presence but I would say no more so than the others. During the recording he turned to the audience for laughs far more than anyone else. At one point he cracked a lavatorial joke, and I heard one elderly cockney lady behind us say “I heard that one at school.” After the show a queue formed going up onto the stage and KW remained at his desk signing autographs (the other contestants had left fairly swiftly.) While doing so he was singing some ribald song at the top of his voice, yet he did not make eye contact with anyone. It's kinda like he wanted everyone’s attention but was frightened of it at the same time.