David Benson's Christmas Party, Salberg Studio, Salisbury Playhouse

JOKES, jests, jolly tunes, and a scary rendition of a 19th Century ghost story inspired by Charles Dickens.

These are only a glimpse into the pot pourri which is David Benson's Christmas Party, currently delighting patrons in the Salberg Studio.

This year's alternative to pantomime for those who prefer to leave the children at home, and take the grandparents out for a treat instead, is a variation on the recent theme of Christmas Crackers, in which a small company of pier-end troopers entertained with a miscellany of comic routines.

Mr Benson's programme represents a marked contrast and, with his remarkable versatility, offers guests a real taste of personal hospitality and a beano prepared, as it were, exclusively for the visitor and a few friends.

The Studio is home for the night, and, with the aid of the excellent Ben Stock, a young veteran of the Players' Theatre, formerly in Villiers Street, London, the cosy stage is set for a great celebratory night.

Clearly well versed in the art of the one-man show, David Benson moves easily from popular song to verse and to sketch.

Many of the more outgoing guests are encouraged to produce their own party pieces, a popular feature this, which resulted in a surprise taste of The Ballad of Sam Hall, from Salisbury's Peter Padwick and even an extract from The Green Eye, from this writer.

But the star of the show is David Benson, whether as crotchety old Birmingham schoolmaster, pantomime dame Foxy Trot, or splendid raconteur.

And tales of Christmas Day in the workhouse and The Signalman of Hugby Junction set the seal on a night of spine-chilling escapism, much of which began life in Charles Dickens' first-hand experience of a rail crash in June 1865.

- Kevin Catchpole

  • David Benson's Christmas Party runs at the Playhouse until Saturday, December 30.