THE STAGE: Reviews Aug 10, 2024 - Anya Ryan 10th August 2024
Delightful sit-down with a riotous national treasure “If you don’t know who I am, what the fuck are you doing here?” says Miriam Margolyes at the start of her show, which is a dialogue with the works of Charles Dickens. Margolyes has adored the great writer since childhood, and her affinity and passion for his literature shine through. But the truth is she could be performing just about anything and the audience would still watch with bated breath. They’re here to see Margolyes because she’s a national treasure and not much else. The first half of the show is dedicated to Margolyes acting out some of her favourite Dickens characters. He wrote 2,000 characters, she tells us, and tonight she plans “to perform them all”. Actually, she only does about 25 minutes of material. Considering this is a night sold as a Dickens and Margolyes double bill, it is slightly misleading. But luckily for Margolyes it is her ever-endearing personality, crashing wit and foul-mouthed stories that carry this night. She begins by reading sections from Dickens’ books, animating the likes of Oliver Twist (at a suitably squeaky pitch) and Miss Havisham (croaky and conniving) as she goes. Her reading makes Dickens sound as vibrant and booming as he could be – she is, in many ways, his perfect orator. Then we’re into the more chat show-style segment: questions from the audience are sent in, and Margolyes shares her thoughts on the state of the UK – “things are shite”, her views on her JPMorgan-working neighbours – “cunts” – and the revelation that she’s “quite well off, actually”. There are fumbles and mix-ups – would it be a Margolyes show without them? But somehow they make her seem all the more charming. “I probably shouldn’t say this,” she ponders occasionally before leading into another preposterous private anecdote. Maybe not. But God, do we love her for it.Posted : 10th August 2024