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Kenneth Williams: Born Brilliant: The Life of Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Williams was the stand-out comic actor of his generation. Beloved as the manic star of Carry On films and as a peerless raconteur on TV chat shows, he was also acclaimed for serious stage roles. Born Brilliant will include much previously unseen m
567 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
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140 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Stevens
69 books11 followersChristopher Stevens is a widely published writer and journalist. His biography of Kenneth Williams, Born Brilliant, was abridged as a Radio Four Book of the Week, and shortlisted for the Sheridan Morley Theatre Biography prize. His celebration of the fathers of classic sitcom, Galton & Simpson, was launched at the National Theatre on London's South Bank and led to the premiere performance of a lost comedy masterpiece, The Day Off, which he discovered.
His memoir, A Real Boy, was hailed as "incredibly moving" by the Sun. For the past 15 years, Christopher Stevens has been a senior sub-editor at the Observer, Britain's oldest and most respected Sunday newspaper. He has also written for newspapers and magazines from Hello! to the Telegraph, and been interviewed more than 50 times for television and radio about his books, including keynote appearances on NPR and CNN. - from book bio.
His memoir, A Real Boy, was hailed as "incredibly moving" by the Sun. For the past 15 years, Christopher Stevens has been a senior sub-editor at the Observer, Britain's oldest and most respected Sunday newspaper. He has also written for newspapers and magazines from Hello! to the Telegraph, and been interviewed more than 50 times for television and radio about his books, including keynote appearances on NPR and CNN. - from book bio.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 22, 2015
I found ‘The Kenneth Williams’ Diaries’ almost impossible to read. The volume – edited down from millions of words by Russell Davies (no, not the ‘Doctor Who’ one) – contains strong writing, witty and scurrilous anecdotes and really does decant the Williams personality. However, throughout the whole is a sense of such intense self-loathing, of desperate misery just a scratch below the surface, that it’s almost impossible to look forward to reading it. No matter how strong you imagine your mental well-being to be, your psyche will undoubtedly be worn down by the sheer desperate unhappiness on display.
But perhaps I should pause here to make sure we’re all up to speed. Kenneth Williams was an often brilliant actor, comic performer, raconteur, writer and general media personality. A camp and over the top entertainer, he made his name on ‘Hancock’s Half-Hour’ (the top British sitcom of the 1950s), the ‘Carry on’ films (ribald British comedy films of the Sixties) and various radio programmes such as ‘Just a Minute’ and ‘Round the Horne’. Even in the Eighties – when I was child – he was a regular on children’s TV, and a seemingly endless array of chat-shows and panel games. The phrase ‘British Institution’ is a tad over-used, but this entertaining outsider with a nasal, yet refined, cockney accent definitely fits the bill.
Having tried to read the diaries, I was immensely pleased to find this biography of Kenneth Williams, as it would surely offer an easier way to understand this often difficult and complicated man’s life. Christopher Stevens offers a sympathetic, if critical, view of him. Indeed it would be a challenge for any biographer to write a hagiography of such a subject, as Williams was frequently exasperatingly difficult, rude and inconsiderate to even his most loved friends and family. However it’s far from a hatchet job, with Stevens showing again and again how treasured Williams was, even when the text delves deep to work out why such a talented man – who did have a great deal of success – never made as much of his talent as he should have. Perhaps the writing is a little dry at points, but this is a considered and well worked biography of a thoroughly fascinating and quintessentially British entertainer.
But perhaps I should pause here to make sure we’re all up to speed. Kenneth Williams was an often brilliant actor, comic performer, raconteur, writer and general media personality. A camp and over the top entertainer, he made his name on ‘Hancock’s Half-Hour’ (the top British sitcom of the 1950s), the ‘Carry on’ films (ribald British comedy films of the Sixties) and various radio programmes such as ‘Just a Minute’ and ‘Round the Horne’. Even in the Eighties – when I was child – he was a regular on children’s TV, and a seemingly endless array of chat-shows and panel games. The phrase ‘British Institution’ is a tad over-used, but this entertaining outsider with a nasal, yet refined, cockney accent definitely fits the bill.
Having tried to read the diaries, I was immensely pleased to find this biography of Kenneth Williams, as it would surely offer an easier way to understand this often difficult and complicated man’s life. Christopher Stevens offers a sympathetic, if critical, view of him. Indeed it would be a challenge for any biographer to write a hagiography of such a subject, as Williams was frequently exasperatingly difficult, rude and inconsiderate to even his most loved friends and family. However it’s far from a hatchet job, with Stevens showing again and again how treasured Williams was, even when the text delves deep to work out why such a talented man – who did have a great deal of success – never made as much of his talent as he should have. Perhaps the writing is a little dry at points, but this is a considered and well worked biography of a thoroughly fascinating and quintessentially British entertainer.
June 1, 2022
Very well-written and -researched biography of Kenneth Williams, a man who was as enigmatic as he was brilliant. Most of us know Kenneth Williams in his comic guise in the Carry On! series of films, reading bedtime stories to children on Jackanory or on the radio in Round the Horn, and other shows. In fact, he was a brilliant actor, able to perform in Shakespeare plays as well as more modern shows, and had a reputation for being able to inhabit any part he was playing.
Hugely popular and in demand, tragically his personal challenges, fears and prejudices held him back. Eventually, he became so bitter he took his own life, probably accidentally.
The book covers Williams' life from childhood all the way through, and as it is the official biography the author had access to many of his friends and business partners/colleagues, including close friends Stanley Baxter and Gordon Jackson.
I enjoyed this book very much, with its combination of happy and sad stories about Kenneth's life. He was a complex man who could be incredibly kind and generous, and, on occasion, mean and spiteful of perceived rivals. In short, a human being with all the myriad of dimensions to his character. Fascinating and recommended.
Hugely popular and in demand, tragically his personal challenges, fears and prejudices held him back. Eventually, he became so bitter he took his own life, probably accidentally.
The book covers Williams' life from childhood all the way through, and as it is the official biography the author had access to many of his friends and business partners/colleagues, including close friends Stanley Baxter and Gordon Jackson.
I enjoyed this book very much, with its combination of happy and sad stories about Kenneth's life. He was a complex man who could be incredibly kind and generous, and, on occasion, mean and spiteful of perceived rivals. In short, a human being with all the myriad of dimensions to his character. Fascinating and recommended.
February 17, 2014
Not only a brilliant comedian, Kenneth Williams was a versatile actor in the theatre before becoming a "national treasure" in the Carry-On films. Despite having little or no training apart from years of repertory theatre and revues, he was also well-versed in radio voice-work and television. His admirers included Richard Burton, and Orson Welles though he notoriously was passed over in auditions for The Old Vic. Always uneasy in the company of "educated" people he was none the less erudite and extraordinarily quick witted. For all his success, he disliked travel and lived his entire adult life in a series of small apartments in a single area of north London. He never went to America despite many offers of work and frequently turned down high profile offers in favour of smaller less well-paid work. Openly gay in a time period when it was still illegal and highly socially unacceptable he became a renowned and well-loved public figure. His outward success belied a notoriously unsocial and lonely personal life. He was prickly and critical with friends and preferred to live alone. He was a compulsive diarist and a hypocondriac who was terrific with children and most happy in the company of a dedicated band of actors. Christopher Stevens has written a sympathetic biography of a complex and difficult character bringing out all aspects of both his talents and foibles and brings to life a figure that was often misunderstood and fiercely protected by his admirers. An engaging and revealing biography. - BH.
April 14, 2022
While no one would argue the author was indeed a brilliant comic, yet his life was very sad. British comedians were and are unusual even with a sense of the absurd that does not quite equal that of American humor...in some ways their comic timing surpasses our own. It is more low key. Slapstick is no longer really considered off-the-charts hilarious but when the British did it (during Williams's time) they did excel.
April 19, 2015
I adored The Diaries and The Letters and Acid Drops, Back Drops (and to a much lesser extent) Just Williams.
So a biography on the great man was unmissable.And it is! If you love Mr Williams as much Mr.Stevens and I, then you'll devour this as quickly as i did. In about 3 sittings.
So a biography on the great man was unmissable.And it is! If you love Mr Williams as much Mr.Stevens and I, then you'll devour this as quickly as i did. In about 3 sittings.
August 27, 2023
Outrageous, poignant, illuminating.
August 29, 2013
A fascinating read about a fascinating, troubled and very funny man. If you think of Kenneth William as only in the The Carry On Films, then read this book to find out that he was much more than 'Oh Matron' and 'Stop Messin About'.
March 16, 2023
Kenneth Williams was a brilliant and extremely troubled man. For those of us brought up in the UK, he seemed to appear constantly on Sunday afternoon Carry On films, on Jackanory, on chat shows and from records my mother had of old radio shows, such as Hancock's Half Hour. I was thinking of reading his diaries, but a friend suggested I might find those just a tad too depressing, and suggested this biography.
Despite his rather upper-class tone, Williams was the son of a barber and was brought up in a poor part of London. His father was a hairdressser and a man who looked upon his son without any understanding - at one point implausibly buying him boxing gloves, which Kenneth looked upon with distain. Williams beloved mother had an illegitimate daughter before her marriage to Charlie, so when Kenneth came along she adored him. He was the child she did not have to hide away, or explain, and she spoilt him. However, Kenneth was not allowed to go to grammar school, due to the cost of the uniform, and his father insisted he, 'get a trade.'
Like so many of his generation, it was the war which meant he got into showbusiness. Not really suited for the infantry, he was sent to India, Ceylon and Singapore, where he had a fairly enjoyable time, having missed the worst of the war - not being called up until 1944. He joined the Combined Services Entertainments Unit and, when he came back to England, it was with a desire to stay in the theatre and not go back into a job. Years in rep, small parts on television and radio, and learning his trade, ensued until he finally had a breakthrough with Hancock's Half Hour. From that moment, Williams was really part of the country's consciousness.
Although success followed success, with Around the Horne, the Carry On films and theatre, Williams was a man full of insecurities. His class, and lack of education, made him wary of those theatre types who had been to university, with whom he felt out of his depth. Although virtually begged to take shows to Broadway or to do films in Hollywood, he was a man who felt safest in his own space. Usually that was a very spartan flat - he never owned a house - in London, with friends among whom he could behave badly and be forgiven. Never really coming to terms with his sexuality, he sadly never had any relationship beyond the odd pick up in Morocco, or a brief flirtation at home, from which he would run away if it ever became serious enough to suggest living together He felt safest as the third wheel and often attached himself to couples, once inviting himself on Barbara Windsor's honeymoon and relied heavily on his mother for adoration and approval.
Having read this, I now understand more about Williams which is always the point of a biography. It is sad that he never really felt at ease with who he was. He was a man who adored children, but had no family. Who seemed so constrained that he never really let himself live, unless he was on stage, or in front of a camera. His diaries, which sniped and bitched and where he allowed his resentments and hatred to pour forth, were his release from his inability to live his life without boundaries. This is an excellent biography and written with a great deal of affection for the mercurial, often badly behaved, subject, who made the nation laugh, even if he was deeply unhappy himself.
Despite his rather upper-class tone, Williams was the son of a barber and was brought up in a poor part of London. His father was a hairdressser and a man who looked upon his son without any understanding - at one point implausibly buying him boxing gloves, which Kenneth looked upon with distain. Williams beloved mother had an illegitimate daughter before her marriage to Charlie, so when Kenneth came along she adored him. He was the child she did not have to hide away, or explain, and she spoilt him. However, Kenneth was not allowed to go to grammar school, due to the cost of the uniform, and his father insisted he, 'get a trade.'
Like so many of his generation, it was the war which meant he got into showbusiness. Not really suited for the infantry, he was sent to India, Ceylon and Singapore, where he had a fairly enjoyable time, having missed the worst of the war - not being called up until 1944. He joined the Combined Services Entertainments Unit and, when he came back to England, it was with a desire to stay in the theatre and not go back into a job. Years in rep, small parts on television and radio, and learning his trade, ensued until he finally had a breakthrough with Hancock's Half Hour. From that moment, Williams was really part of the country's consciousness.
Although success followed success, with Around the Horne, the Carry On films and theatre, Williams was a man full of insecurities. His class, and lack of education, made him wary of those theatre types who had been to university, with whom he felt out of his depth. Although virtually begged to take shows to Broadway or to do films in Hollywood, he was a man who felt safest in his own space. Usually that was a very spartan flat - he never owned a house - in London, with friends among whom he could behave badly and be forgiven. Never really coming to terms with his sexuality, he sadly never had any relationship beyond the odd pick up in Morocco, or a brief flirtation at home, from which he would run away if it ever became serious enough to suggest living together He felt safest as the third wheel and often attached himself to couples, once inviting himself on Barbara Windsor's honeymoon and relied heavily on his mother for adoration and approval.
Having read this, I now understand more about Williams which is always the point of a biography. It is sad that he never really felt at ease with who he was. He was a man who adored children, but had no family. Who seemed so constrained that he never really let himself live, unless he was on stage, or in front of a camera. His diaries, which sniped and bitched and where he allowed his resentments and hatred to pour forth, were his release from his inability to live his life without boundaries. This is an excellent biography and written with a great deal of affection for the mercurial, often badly behaved, subject, who made the nation laugh, even if he was deeply unhappy himself.
July 23, 2023
one of the top people to ever study
if you want to
look at
a thoroughly unhappy comedian
---
A fragment of his psyche
The Guardian
Kathryn Johnson, the library’s curator of theatrical archives and manuscripts, said people might be surprised by what they read. “If anyone was looking for smut, they would be disappointed,” she said.
“He is a chronicler.” He could be acerbic and unpleasant, she said, and there were a few lines of theatrical bitchiness, but he was often kind, reflective and poignant. “He could be deeply uncharitable about his fellow professionals but then a week later he’s forgotten about it,” said Johnson.
A case in point is a diary excerpt from 1969 when he fell out with Joan Sims on the set of Carry On Camping.
“Her patronage & assumption at times that she should tell me what to do, is intolerable. I shouted ‘You cow cunted mare’ and Hattie [Jacques] intervened and told me to stop it.”
He went on to say he loathed “her standards & her mouldy respectability” and liked nothing about her.
A week later Williams was recording a radio comedy with Sims who was “v buoyant and performed quite brilliantly in the show – her characterisations and singing are quite superb. There’s no doubt she’s an asset all right.”
....
At one stage Pinewood Studios was interested in buying them, a move Richardson blocked.
“He hated the Carry On films, he loathed them, he said the scripts were “crap … crap! I thought he’d be looking down on me thinking, what are you doing?” he explained.
....
Williams often used his diaries as a half-serious threat to his friends, – “you’ll be in my diary” was a favourite saying if someone had annoyed him – and the library will have to black out some references he makes about people still living.
But the vast majority of the material will become available to researchers from March 2016. Johnson said her overriding feeling reading them had been, “Oh Ken, get a sense of proportion,” as Williams sees the end of the world in the most trivial of situations.
Famously, on the last entry before his death, Williams wrote: “Oh, what’s the bloody point?”
The famous final words have fuelled speculation that he took his own life, but Johnson remained unconvinced.
“He says that so many times,” she said. “He would sink into despair. But it generally doesn’t last long.”
Throughout the diaries are Williams’s very direct, snap opinions about people, films and plays – and he is often wrong.
....
Caroline Dawnay, the literary agent who negotiated the sale, predicted people would look back and see Williams as a great diarist, rather than a famous actor or raconteur.
In one memorable entry, Williams recounts returning from a visit to his accountant in 1984:
“Walked home via Aldwych. Reflected that nothing really changes. I’m still walking about this city dragging my loneliness with me, putting on a front, whistling in the dark. It is getting darker all the time.
“Went to Tesco’s and got fish and ham and tomatoes and had that at 5.30. Tried doing a bit more writing but my heart, it isn’t in it. Think I’ll have to leave it for a bit. Feel more like weeping.”
if you want to
look at
a thoroughly unhappy comedian
---
A fragment of his psyche
The Guardian
Kathryn Johnson, the library’s curator of theatrical archives and manuscripts, said people might be surprised by what they read. “If anyone was looking for smut, they would be disappointed,” she said.
“He is a chronicler.” He could be acerbic and unpleasant, she said, and there were a few lines of theatrical bitchiness, but he was often kind, reflective and poignant. “He could be deeply uncharitable about his fellow professionals but then a week later he’s forgotten about it,” said Johnson.
A case in point is a diary excerpt from 1969 when he fell out with Joan Sims on the set of Carry On Camping.
“Her patronage & assumption at times that she should tell me what to do, is intolerable. I shouted ‘You cow cunted mare’ and Hattie [Jacques] intervened and told me to stop it.”
He went on to say he loathed “her standards & her mouldy respectability” and liked nothing about her.
A week later Williams was recording a radio comedy with Sims who was “v buoyant and performed quite brilliantly in the show – her characterisations and singing are quite superb. There’s no doubt she’s an asset all right.”
....
At one stage Pinewood Studios was interested in buying them, a move Richardson blocked.
“He hated the Carry On films, he loathed them, he said the scripts were “crap … crap! I thought he’d be looking down on me thinking, what are you doing?” he explained.
....
Williams often used his diaries as a half-serious threat to his friends, – “you’ll be in my diary” was a favourite saying if someone had annoyed him – and the library will have to black out some references he makes about people still living.
But the vast majority of the material will become available to researchers from March 2016. Johnson said her overriding feeling reading them had been, “Oh Ken, get a sense of proportion,” as Williams sees the end of the world in the most trivial of situations.
Famously, on the last entry before his death, Williams wrote: “Oh, what’s the bloody point?”
The famous final words have fuelled speculation that he took his own life, but Johnson remained unconvinced.
“He says that so many times,” she said. “He would sink into despair. But it generally doesn’t last long.”
Throughout the diaries are Williams’s very direct, snap opinions about people, films and plays – and he is often wrong.
....
Caroline Dawnay, the literary agent who negotiated the sale, predicted people would look back and see Williams as a great diarist, rather than a famous actor or raconteur.
In one memorable entry, Williams recounts returning from a visit to his accountant in 1984:
“Walked home via Aldwych. Reflected that nothing really changes. I’m still walking about this city dragging my loneliness with me, putting on a front, whistling in the dark. It is getting darker all the time.
“Went to Tesco’s and got fish and ham and tomatoes and had that at 5.30. Tried doing a bit more writing but my heart, it isn’t in it. Think I’ll have to leave it for a bit. Feel more like weeping.”
March 15, 2018
In public life, Williams was a brilliant raconteur, story-teller, wit, and engaging chat-show guest. Yet, to know him, as a friend, over a period of time, would have been exhausting. Risk-averse (to the point of constant personal and professional self-sabotage), hypersensitive to even the merest whiff of criticism, whether real or imagined, so self-absorbed to the point of exclusion of interest in anybody but his mother, emotionally infantile, frozen with fear at the mere thought of physical or sexual contact, a self-hating homosexual, he had the potential to be brilliant, but denied himself the possibility of achieving that.
An interesting portrait of man as a mess. The writing is nothing out of the ordinary, but serves its purpose, drawn mostly from Williams' diaries and reminiscences of those who knew and and worked with him.
An interesting portrait of man as a mess. The writing is nothing out of the ordinary, but serves its purpose, drawn mostly from Williams' diaries and reminiscences of those who knew and and worked with him.
June 18, 2020
I'm surprised at the high ratings for this book. It was very repetitive, mainly dealing with Williams' early life in theatre. It did mention his involvement with Hancock's Half Hour which was fleeting as was mention of his death (just half a page).
It is clear that the Christopher Stevens has done his homework on Williams but for me he has missed the main reason that Kenneth Williams was famous and that was his appearances in the Carry On films which I thought would have been the main context of the book and this is the biggest let down of all for me.
To be honest it had great potential but was severely lacking. Highly disappointed in this.
It is clear that the Christopher Stevens has done his homework on Williams but for me he has missed the main reason that Kenneth Williams was famous and that was his appearances in the Carry On films which I thought would have been the main context of the book and this is the biggest let down of all for me.
To be honest it had great potential but was severely lacking. Highly disappointed in this.
December 1, 2024
Kenneth Williams’ life deserves 5* alone; however, I’ve pegged this book down to 4* because I kept going “when are they going to discuss behind-the-scenes of the ‘Carry On’ franchise?”
Don’t get me wrong, the writing and the research are incredible - it’s just not what I was expecting and I think I kept flicking pages looking for things that just aren’t mentioned. It’s definitely incredible though to read this collection, I just could of done with more on the ‘Carry On’ front.
Don’t get me wrong, the writing and the research are incredible - it’s just not what I was expecting and I think I kept flicking pages looking for things that just aren’t mentioned. It’s definitely incredible though to read this collection, I just could of done with more on the ‘Carry On’ front.
August 17, 2019
From beginning to end I thoroughly enjoyed this book - I've always loved Kenneth Williams, but I didn't know a huge amount about his life - I feel I know him much better now! It's set me on a path of wanting to learn even more!
June 19, 2020
This was a surprising read since the book presents many aspects of William's personality that I knew nothing about - perhaps 99% of his personality. I had no idea of his great erudition including his knowledge of literature, philosophy, and classical music. But what a difficult person he would have been to deal with; I would have been on eggshells the whole time with him. One could never be quite sure how one might offend him. Yet so many people loved him.
It is a great pity that he experimented with his "stand-by" medication. I shall go no further than that.
It is a great pity that he experimented with his "stand-by" medication. I shall go no further than that.
June 5, 2020
THE BOOK WAS WELL SPACED AND GAVE QUITE A INSIGHT ABOUT KENNETH WILLIAMS. THERE'S NO DOUGHT ABOUT HIS TALLENT AND I REALLY ENJOY HIS RADIO SHOWS AND HIS HUMOUR. I USED TO SEE HIM WALKING SOMETIMES ON MY WAY TO WORK NEAR HIS FLAT. HE ALLWAYS LOOKED DOWN AT THE FLOOR AVOIDING EYE CONTACT AND FAR FROM THE CHARACTERS HE PLAYED ON FILM AND TV. I NEVER MADE ANY VERBAL CONTACT BECAUSE HE LOOKED SO THAT HE WOULD NOT ACKWOLEDGE YOU. I HAVE ALSO SEEN HIM ON OTHER FEW OCCATIONS AROUND MY JOURNEY'S IN THE WEST END AND HE WAS TOTALY DIFFERANT WHEN HE WAS WITH COMPANY. HE DID VISIT HERE IN MILTON KEYNES IN I THINK 1985 BECAUSE HE WAS SIGHNING HIS BOOK IN THE LOCAL BOOKSHOP AND DONE A STANDUP PERFORMANCE IN THE STAGE NEAR THE SHOP. FANTASTIC JUST TO WATCH A TRUE PROFFETIONAL. THE BOOK I THINK SUMS UP HIS CHARACTER AS FAR AS I HAVE SEEN HIM. BUT UNLESS YOU KNOW HIM PERSONALLY WHO KNOWS WHAT IS TRUE OF HIM OR NOT. THE BOOK IS THE BEST I HAVE READ ABOUT HIM.
March 20, 2014
Born Brilliant is the 2010 authorised biography of that fantastic comedy performer Kenneth Williams. Christopher Stevens has produced a thoroughly readable and balanced account of Williams's life and career, having had open access to his subject's numerous journals and other private papers. This book goes some way to challenging the previously over-simplistic image of the 'laughing outside-crying inside' comic, which was never the whole story. Kenneth Williams had a highly complex personality, much of which was at odds with the public persona, and it was fascinating to go beyond the well known set pieces and re-rehearsed public incidents.
Stevens makes the most of the diaries, but they are not excessively quoted, and there's a sound analysis and exploration of motivations and context. I loved reading about the back stage machinations of his theatre productions and radio work, which was brought alive by rich and well-rounded descriptions. For the first time I got a sense of why Williams seemed to be trapped in a relatively narrow range of performance activities, and the deep emotional turmoil that ensued every time he was asked to attempt something different. At heart he lacked confidence, and never felt able to overcome this deep-seated anxiety and dread of failure; this central fear meant that he created psychological 'distractions', whereby his world became very small and he rejected intimacy and love from others.
Here is a highly readable account if the way in which ego defence mechanisms can strangle creative potential. He never seemed to have enough confidence to tackle work that was out of his comfort zone, and when he did take the risk, the paradox of self-sabotage (for example, by frequently generating conflict with co-stars and directors) usually resulted in failure or an inability to cope with these underlying conflicts for long.
Very readable, well researched, balanced and insightful account of one of Britain's great and much-missed comedy performers. Recommended.
© Koplowitz 2014
Stevens makes the most of the diaries, but they are not excessively quoted, and there's a sound analysis and exploration of motivations and context. I loved reading about the back stage machinations of his theatre productions and radio work, which was brought alive by rich and well-rounded descriptions. For the first time I got a sense of why Williams seemed to be trapped in a relatively narrow range of performance activities, and the deep emotional turmoil that ensued every time he was asked to attempt something different. At heart he lacked confidence, and never felt able to overcome this deep-seated anxiety and dread of failure; this central fear meant that he created psychological 'distractions', whereby his world became very small and he rejected intimacy and love from others.
Here is a highly readable account if the way in which ego defence mechanisms can strangle creative potential. He never seemed to have enough confidence to tackle work that was out of his comfort zone, and when he did take the risk, the paradox of self-sabotage (for example, by frequently generating conflict with co-stars and directors) usually resulted in failure or an inability to cope with these underlying conflicts for long.
Very readable, well researched, balanced and insightful account of one of Britain's great and much-missed comedy performers. Recommended.
© Koplowitz 2014
March 6, 2014
Christopher Stevens = adept = 3*
Kenneth Williams = born git = 1* room 101
BBC blurb - Kenneth Williams was the stand-out comic actor of his generation. Beloved as the manic star of Carry On films and as a peerless raconteur on TV chat shows and radio comedies, he was also acclaimed for serious stage roles.
But he was a complicated character which often showed in his erratic behaviour - he could be affectionate one minute then spiteful the next, ever the extrovert in public he would return to his tiny sparsely decorated flat alone and he turned down more than his fair share of professional opportunities.
Since the publication of edited extracts from his diaries, much controversy has surrounded Williams's personal and professional lives. But journalist and author Christopher Stevens has been granted access by the estate to Williams's complete archive - the forty-three volumes of diaries and hundreds of unseen letters to and from the star. He has also interviewed many of Williams's friends and colleagues (some who have never spoken publicly before about their time with Kenneth).
Born Brilliant: The Life of Kenneth Williams (the first full-length authorised biography) traces the complex contradictions that characterised an extraordinary life.
Abridged by Libby Spurrier Read by Nicholas Boulton
Producer: Joanna Green A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
Kenneth Williams = born git = 1* room 101
BBC blurb - Kenneth Williams was the stand-out comic actor of his generation. Beloved as the manic star of Carry On films and as a peerless raconteur on TV chat shows and radio comedies, he was also acclaimed for serious stage roles.
But he was a complicated character which often showed in his erratic behaviour - he could be affectionate one minute then spiteful the next, ever the extrovert in public he would return to his tiny sparsely decorated flat alone and he turned down more than his fair share of professional opportunities.
Since the publication of edited extracts from his diaries, much controversy has surrounded Williams's personal and professional lives. But journalist and author Christopher Stevens has been granted access by the estate to Williams's complete archive - the forty-three volumes of diaries and hundreds of unseen letters to and from the star. He has also interviewed many of Williams's friends and colleagues (some who have never spoken publicly before about their time with Kenneth).
Born Brilliant: The Life of Kenneth Williams (the first full-length authorised biography) traces the complex contradictions that characterised an extraordinary life.
Abridged by Libby Spurrier Read by Nicholas Boulton
Producer: Joanna Green A Pier production for BBC Radio 4.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2014
I suppose the trick to writing a good biography is to leave the reader with new appreciation of the subject, whilst not making the whole process a didactic procession of dates. Extra points can be added for providing insights from new sources and deducted for embroidering the facts with their own interpretations of events, a sin which is usually accompanied by a 'quote' in the tone of voice of the subject, along with numerous exclamation marks!!!!
Stevens does all this and more in a quite revealing study of Williams that is an utter pleasure to read. This is more impressive given Williams' status as a much-loved national treasure and consequent breadth and detail already in the public domain.
What sets Born Brilliant aside is Stevens' extensive use of the massive collection of Williams' diaries, plus his obvious charm in getting close friends to offer up stories, letters and quotes, to give a real depth and insight to his subject.
Not only that Stevens has a really light touch to his writing that allows Williams' numerous personalities, moods, and characters to come through, and particularly revealing his own understanding of his flaws and limits. The whole leaves you with a greater appreciation of the Williams' behind the big nose and braying laugh, and a desire to immediately go out and watch a bunch of Carry Ons.../Listen to Round the Horne to see this genius in action.
Stevens does all this and more in a quite revealing study of Williams that is an utter pleasure to read. This is more impressive given Williams' status as a much-loved national treasure and consequent breadth and detail already in the public domain.
What sets Born Brilliant aside is Stevens' extensive use of the massive collection of Williams' diaries, plus his obvious charm in getting close friends to offer up stories, letters and quotes, to give a real depth and insight to his subject.
Not only that Stevens has a really light touch to his writing that allows Williams' numerous personalities, moods, and characters to come through, and particularly revealing his own understanding of his flaws and limits. The whole leaves you with a greater appreciation of the Williams' behind the big nose and braying laugh, and a desire to immediately go out and watch a bunch of Carry Ons.../Listen to Round the Horne to see this genius in action.
April 1, 2011
Having previously read the (edited) diaries, it was fascinating to see filled in the facts that the diaries left assumed (e.g. what it was that Fenella Fielding did that so offended Williams). But the most fascinating aspect of the book has to be the insight it gives into Williams' psychology. So we see the portrait of an amazingly gifted actor who was subject to bouts of often totally irrational behaviour that did damage to him (eventually destroying his stage career) and others (at one point he managed to turn a massive hit play into a flop by sheer force of will and extreme obnoxiousness to his fellow-actors).
The author, I think wisely, makes little effort to theorise about why this behaviour occurred, seing his job as being more to present facts without trying to create a theory, or even worse a caricature (as happened in the dreadful 'Fantabulosa'). I have my own view, coloured by my fondness for Jungian psychology, but I think that the strength of the book lies in the fact that it tells you enough to let you make your own judgement, and, instead of just rehashing the diaries, goes behind them and gives us more.
So, highly recommended.
The author, I think wisely, makes little effort to theorise about why this behaviour occurred, seing his job as being more to present facts without trying to create a theory, or even worse a caricature (as happened in the dreadful 'Fantabulosa'). I have my own view, coloured by my fondness for Jungian psychology, but I think that the strength of the book lies in the fact that it tells you enough to let you make your own judgement, and, instead of just rehashing the diaries, goes behind them and gives us more.
So, highly recommended.
January 16, 2011
Its very rare I give any book five stars but this latest biography of Kenneth Williams is so good that it would be unfair to give it any less. This an authorised biography of williams who will be best known for the Carry On films. he also was a regular on Just a Minute on Radio 4 and did many stories for children on Jackanory. To say he was a complex man would be an a massive under statement. He was effected by his sexuality to the extent that he could never form proper relationships with either men or women. He could be charming and funny one minute and bitter and rude the next. What I liked about this biography was that it didn't try to portray Williams in any different light to what he was really like. I once heard some friend of Williams claim that Williams wasn't really camp which clearly is not true so this book is a very refreshing and new appraisal of this talented man
February 24, 2011
I've read quite a lot about actor Kenneth Williams life but this biography by Christopher Stevens is the most comprehensive of them all. But even with all the research and details the author has unveiled or discovered, the character of Williams still remains an enigma. No fault of the author. Williams is almost impossible to pin down and the result is a study in human behaviour, doubts, insecurities, ego and love (whether fulfilled or unobtainable). There is much humour; how could there not be with Williams as the subject. As an outsider is is easy to view Williams life and make a judgment but the complexities of the man's character make that judgment invalid. Well written by Stevens and a fascinating read.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
October 28, 2020
An well researched insight
Kenneth Williams is of legendary status and a unique character that will be rarely seen ever again. This book looks at the negative attributes of his character but also looks at his many qualities. It is clear Christopher Stevens has done his homework and thus from studying Kenneth's many diaries, interviews and back catalogue of work is able to put this well researched book together. If you're a fan of Kenneth Williams then read on but do not expect it all to be a glowing look into his life. This is an honest and frank read. It is intriguing and has lead me to read it twice already.
Enjoy.
Kenneth Williams is of legendary status and a unique character that will be rarely seen ever again. This book looks at the negative attributes of his character but also looks at his many qualities. It is clear Christopher Stevens has done his homework and thus from studying Kenneth's many diaries, interviews and back catalogue of work is able to put this well researched book together. If you're a fan of Kenneth Williams then read on but do not expect it all to be a glowing look into his life. This is an honest and frank read. It is intriguing and has lead me to read it twice already.
Enjoy.
May 24, 2012
Interesting rounded description of his life. Many of his friends and colleagues were interviewed, so it gives a much more complete picture of Mr Williams than his diaries or autobiography, as you don't know a person just through listening to them, but also through the experiences of those around them. Some interesting photographs too.
December 12, 2012
Interesting insight into a bloke I enjoyed watching and listening to. But could be completely mean and irrational to those closest to him, a side I never realised existed. Enjoyable read for any Carry On fan.
December 10, 2010
Against my better judgement I have got into his, actually, rather boring life. Nothing of real interest here at all.
October 24, 2015
Fascinating, funny and fabulous. What a man. Oh Kenny - if only you'd liked yourself.
July 4, 2012
This was well written and interesting for its ancedotes and glimpses of a different era. Kenneth Williams was obviously intlligent but tortured and doesn't come across well at all.
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