David Benson

David Benson (born David Hodgson on 11 January 1962) is an English character actor, writer and comedian, most famous for his one-man show titled Think No Evil of Us: My Life with Kenneth Williams about the life and career of the late comedian, for which he won the Scotsman's Fringe First award in 1996, and for his television role as Noël Coward in the BBC comedy series Goodnight Sweetheart. His theatrical repertoire includes a wide range of Coward's best known songs, performed in-character as Coward. When not touring in the theatre he can be found on BBC radio, playing all the character parts in the science fiction comedy series The Scarifyers.

He was born in Oxford, England, and has a twin sister Miranda and an older brother Jonathan. He changed his surname in 1996 on joining Equity, the actors' trade union. He was educated at Park Hall Secondary Modern in Castle Bromwich, Warwickshire, and at Sutton Coldfield College of Further Education. He went on to gain a Degree in Drama and Theatre Studies at the Royal Holloway College, University of London. He lived in Edinburgh from 1985, and in New York from 1993 on-and-off for four years. In 2001 he moved permanently to London, where he now resides.

Presently represented by Seabright Productions, David Benson appeared at the Edinburgh Fringe during August 2010 in two new shows, previewed in Eastbourne, Highgate, London and Oxford during July. For Lockerbie: Unfinished Business he won the Scotsman's Fringe First Award 2010, and received notices in the New York Times and Hollywood trade press.

He has a dozen one-man shows in his current theatrical repertoire, with which he tours, and writes and directs professional stage productions for other performers. He also sings: performing a wide range of the songs of Noël Coward, amongst others, in a flamboyant cabaret style, performed in-character as Coward.

His theatrical, television and radio work has mainly revolved around comedy; and his most famous roles, impersonating comic actor Kenneth Williams, comedian Frankie Howerd, and playwright and composer Noël Coward, have featured his uncanny mimicry of well-known stars who share a common camp theme.

David Benson appeared in the National Theatre production of One Man, Two Guvnors, a comedy starring James Corden, adapted from Goldoni's Servant of Two Masters, which was presented at the Lyttelton Theatre on London's South Bank from 17 May to 26 July 2011, and which garnered glowing reviews. He also toured throughout September and October 2011 with the production.