Seriously Funny

This unique production by Dreamshed Theatre is an insightful and humorous exploration of the tumultuous relationship enjoyed by Kenneth Williams and Tony Hancock.

Featuring a raft of sketches by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson to satisfy even the most ardent Hancock’s Half Hour fan, Seriously Funny is written with a depth and delicacy which throws the mental conflicts of both men into the spotlight.

The play is written by Wink Taylor and is a detour from his usual work writing for children’s shows Sooty and Basil Brush and acting as puppeteer to the popular Theo the Mouse – but it reveals Taylor’s versatility as a writer as he crafts together the humour of the sketches with an intimacy that empathetically bonds the audience with the characters.

Taylor also takes on the character of Kenneth Williams, perfectly encapsulating Williams’ Snide character while then shifting seamlessly into both the private, natural voice of Williams, complete with cockney twang and the rather affected ‘public’ voice of Williams in all its nasal glory.
He is complemented in this two-man show by Iain Barton in his subtly portrayed role of Hancock. Barton successfully meets the challenge of this tragic character who is destined to lose his battle to alcoholism as he strives to achieve his ambition to be taken seriously as a writer of intellectual comedy.
Taylor’s writing has been given the deft touch of Bill Cronshaw’s directorship. The material stays religiously true to the meticulous research that Taylor embarked upon – not for the project but out of sheer love of vintage comedy of the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s.
The play is a prism that reveals many aspects of Williams and Hancock’s personalities and leaves the audience contemplating what might have been if Williams had not followed the Carry On trajectory in his life.