Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! (TV 2006)

Martyn Hesford's comedy-drama about the life and times of tortured comic Kenneth Williams based on his diaries.

Director:

Andy De Emmony

Writers:

Martyn Hesford, Kenneth Williams (book)

Stars:

Michael Sheen, Cheryl Campbell, Peter Wight

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Sheen	...	Kenneth Williams
Cheryl Campbell	...	Lou Williams
Peter Wight	...	Charlie Williams
Beatie Edney	...	Joan Sims
Kenny Doughty	...	Joe Orton
Ron Cook	...	Peter Eade
Martin Trenaman	...	Tony Hancock
David Charles	...	Charles Hawtrey
Ewan Bailey	...	Kenneth Halliwell
Rachel Clarke	...	Barbara Windsor
Connor Garnet Comerford	...	Young Kenneth Williams
Beatrice Comins	...	St Joan / Actress
Timothy Davies	...	1st Doctor
Stephen Critchlow	...	Kenneth Horne
Guy Henry	...	Hugh Paddick

Storyline

Finicky,hygiene-obsessed comic actor Kenneth Williams,living in a flat block with mutually adoring mother Louie,looks back on his life. At loggerheads with his homophobic father over his career Kenny fulfils his dream of becoming a classical actor but is spun off into comedy,allowing full rein to his crowd-pleasing array of funny voices. A compulsive,often selfish performer off-screen,he becomes a national treasure following the radio show 'Round the Horne' and the successful series of film farces 'Carry On'... though he is disdainful of the latter,given that he once trod the boards with Orson Welles. Privately he is a tormented closet gay,sickened by his sexuality,unlike his friend,promiscuous playwright Joe Orton,and desperately asks his 'Carry On' co-star Joan Sims for a show marriage,which she refuses. Ultimately Louie's death,his own hypochondria,a down turn in work and a sense of his own isolation will result in a fatal encounter with a bottle of tablets in 1988.

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Plot Keywords:

homosexuality | carry on | diary | flasher | camp | 

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

BBC Four [uk]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 March 2006 (UK)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

79 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Roy Holder plays a cameo part as the older road worker who talks to Williams when he opens flat window. Holder was a main character in the movie Loot, by Joe Orton, Williams' close friend.

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Connections

Features Parkinson (1971)

User Reviews

Excellent dramatisation, but more tragic than comic

This is a "docu-drama" of (mostly) the later years of KW's life, with nearly all the parts played by actors (but spot which TV quartermaster plays himself!). It was made for the BBC4 arts channel but my guess is there will be syndication and DVD releases soon. KW is ably played by the excellent Michael Sheen, here repeating his previous stage role with great success. Most of the supporting cast are also very good, and a nice touch is the recreation of period TV appearances with the new actors. This is not, however, light viewing - anyone familiar with KW's diaries and general unhappy demeanour will already know how twisted he could be in later life - so don't expect 80 minutes of Carry On styled buffoonery, since the emphasis is decidedly downbeat throughout. Recommended, but it's tragi-comic, indeed.