A literary icon made human
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No one knows Charles Dickens quite like actor Simon
Callow, who has just published a biography of the author. As Kent –
the county Dickens called home – celebrates his 200th
birthday, Chris Price found out the real truth about the life of
the 19th century’s biggest celebrity.
Chatting in a taxi on his way to a rehearsal with the London
Philharmonic Orchestra, there is something very Dickensian about
Simon Callow.
In a week he describes as having been "particularly vicious,"
the prolific actor’s hectic schedule is much like that of the 19th
century icon, whose bicentenary is celebrated this week.
"Dickens was a man driven by the need to perform in every area
of his life," said Simon, who has starred in films like Four
Weddings and a Funeral, Shakespeare in Love and the Phantom of the
Opera.
"That is very unusual among novelists. He was always making
speeches or giving public performances. The book comes from my
understanding of him."
Simon has just released his biography of the Victorian author,
Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World, and will read
excerpts from it in a new show, which he is bringing to Kent this
week. During Simon’s career he has also written biographies of
actor Charles Laughton and director Orson Welles, with a recurring
theme appearing in his subject matter.
"Dickens was hugely energetic, creative and imaginative," he
said. "I am always attracted to people like that. People with very
high standards. They fascinate me.
"I’m interested to know what makes someone like that. I have
adapted my own temperament to theirs – living life with that
fullness. I love the idea of people making the most of themselves
and giving back as much as they can. Dickens was titanic. That is
the only word that comes to mind."
The 200th anniversary of Dickens’ birth is marked on Tuesday,
February 7. The novelist spent his early years in Chatham, wrote
some of his greatest works at Bleak House in Broadstairs and lived
out his days at Gads Hill Place in Higham.
Considered the greatest author of the Victorian era, Dickens is
responsible for novels like Oliver Twist, the Pickwick Papers,
Great Expectations and David Copperfield. Yet his legacy away from
the one as a literary icon has been called into question, something
which Simon talks heavily about in his book.
"For a while he was regarded as a god without flaws. Now with
our passion for picking people to pieces he has been portrayed as a
vile man who was hypocritical for supporting kindness in society
without being a good man at home.
"Undoubtedly, one black mark on his character was the way he
treated his wife. He became disinterested in her.
"He did not find her attractive or love her but because Dickens
was Dickens, rather than say we should depart, he sat on his
emotions and let them grow and grow until they had nearly driven
him insane.
"Being who he was, he felt he couldn’t say it was his fault so
he turned it into her fault and said things that were not true.
"Dickens said she was dull and lots of terrible things people
should say in a divorce court but unfortunately he felt obliged to
say them in public which was very wrong.
"He was also bad to her after they separated and never saw her
again, as if she had done something to him.
"Yet in his normal relations with people, his children and with
strangers to a large extent, he was extraordinarily generous and
positive. He was something of a control freak but did everything
with a deep compassion for disadvantaged people and victims of
injustice.
Simon added: "Dickens was socially active and involved in
setting up things to improve people’s lives, such as education and
rehabilitating prostitutes. He was creative and pro-active which is
very unusual for a writer."
'Everyone knows a Mr Micawber’
Simon Callow has appeared in numerous Dickens adaptations and
played the author himself in Doctor Who in 2005 and 2011. His
favourite role in a Dickens adaptation was as Mr Micawber in David
Copperfield for the BBC in 1986 as there was a “wonderful
gentleness” about the character.
“Mr Micawber is at fault in many ways but it is impossible not to
love him,” said Simon.
“Dickens works with stereotypes. Then he fills them in with such
colour and so many details they stand as figures on their own.
Everyone knows someone who is a Mr Micawber or a Uriah Heep. Each
has an overwhelming characteristic but in fact we all have seen
that in people. I challenge anyone who says Dickens’ characters are
exaggerated to say they have not seen people like that in real
life.”
Simon Callow reads from his biography, Charles Dickens and
the Great Theatre of the World, at Canterbury’s Gulbenkian Theatre
on Sunday, February 5. Tickets £14. Call 01227 769075. He is also
at the Trinity Theatre, Tunbridge Wells, on Saturday, February 18.
Tickets £13. Call 01892 678678. Book published by Harper Collins,
£16.99. Dickens’ bicentenary is on Tuesday, February 7.
Friday, February 03 2012
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