A new play in London is tackling the complicated legacy of one of Britain's most famous yet now controversial comedians. 'What's Wrong With Benny Hill?', written by Mark Carey, is running at the White Bear theatre in London until 24 January.
A Flashback Through a Troubled Career
The production seeks to understand why Benny Hill, once celebrated as the nation's best-loved TV star, has been effectively erased from the modern comedy canon. The play uses a flashback structure, starting from Hill's final days as a recluse discussing his will with a solicitor.
Through a series of scenes, the audience encounters key figures from Hill's life, all played with energetic versatility by Georgie Taylor. These include his father, known as 'the Captain', who had an unusual trade selling condoms. We also see Hill's time in France, where he wrote frequent letters to his aunt from local cafes.
Interspersed with these biographical moments is a cacophony of modern online commentary, debating Hill's problematic legacy. Taylor also takes on the role of a narrator, reminiscent of 1980s comic Ben Elton, representing the generation that is accused of hypocritically casting Hill into the wilderness.
Rehearsing Known Arguments Without New Insight
The central question the play poses is why Hill has not received the biographical treatment afforded to other golden-age comedians. It promptly acknowledges the well-known reasons: his humour is widely viewed today as sexist, racist, and sadistic.
However, despite its 100-minute runtime, the production struggles to move beyond these established critiques. It offers a vivid reminder of the sketches that once captivated millions, but provides little fresh analysis. Mark Carey himself takes on the role of Benny Hill, portraying him as a figure who remains elusive behind a facade of winks, smirks, and relentless jokes.
A Defence That Falls Short
The play makes some gestures towards defending Hill's work. One sketch deliberately toys with a racist East Asian caricature, simultaneously listing other now-respected comedians who used similar material. Yet, when it comes to mounting a substantive defence, the argument doesn't progress much further than the simplistic notion that 'a joke's either funny or it's not' and accusations of political correctness run amok.
Ultimately, the narrative seems to agree that Hill's particular brand of comedy—centred on older men leering at voluptuous women—had simply reached its expiration date. The play also chooses not to delve deeply into the personal life of the 'saucy boy who never grew up', keeping its focus primarily on his professional persona and public reception.
While it successfully evokes the energy of what audiences once found uproariously funny, 'What's Wrong With Benny Hill?' leaves the deeper questions about cultural change, censorship, and comic redemption largely unanswered.
