A new play at London's White Bear theatre examines why Benny Hill, once the most beloved man on British television, has been largely erased from the comedy canon. Mark Carey's 'What's Wrong With Benny Hill?' explores the comedian's legacy, but critics say it offers little new insight into his fall from grace.
The 100-minute play with songs flashes back through Hill's life, from his final days as a 'mad recluse' to his childhood with a father who sold 'rubber johnnies'. Performer Georgie Taylor plays all other roles, including a Ben Elton-style 80s comic who accuses Hill's critics of hypocrisy.
The production rehearses well-known criticisms of Hill's humour as sexist, racist, and sad, but struggles to mount a substantial defence. When it tries, the play falls back on arguments like 'a joke's either funny or it's not' and accusations of political correctness gone mad.
While the play offers a vivid reminder of what millions once found hilarious, it fails to dig deep into Hill's personal life. Carey's own performance keeps Hill elusive behind winks, smirks, and compulsive quips, leaving the central question of his cancellation largely unanswered.
