YOU wouldn't expect anything straight-forward from Miriam Margolyes.
Her 2024 Fringe show, which combines Dickensian storytelling with a sort of Saturday night TV chat show format, is therefore perfectly on brand.
The outspoken 82-year-old is presenting Margolyes & Dickens: The Best Bits at the EICC for a handful of dates, showcasing her untameable passion for the Victorian novelist - but also leaning into her ability to bag a viral moment with an unexpected, often inappropriate, anecdote.
Margolyes has split the 80-minute show into two halves. In the beginning she presents monologues from some of her favourite Dickens characters, lovingly explaining why they mean so much to her before recounting them from memory. Later, she sits down with an interviewer to discuss audience questions submitted through what she describes as the "miracle" of the QR code before the performance.
The audience have submitted questions on everything from her Dover home previously being a drug drop hotspot, to her "most memorable orgasm". This is Miriam Margolyes, after all.
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Those who know the actress from her memorable media appearances rather than her work on stage and screen may be alienated from the performance-driven first half - while those who love her acting might be surprised to hear about her explicit escapades with a soldier in the Meadows back in the day.
But as she points out herself at the start, as she enters the stage in a sparkling gown to huge cheers: "If you don't know who I am what the f*** are you doing?"
Margolyes's ability to embody a character is beyond doubt, as she cycles comfortably through Little Dorit, Miss Haversham and Scrooge. Her conclusion is a lengthy, slightly saucy, rendition of a conversation between Oliver Twist's Mr Bumble and Mrs Corney. She confidently jumps from role to role, her voice and mannerisms transformed every time. This is a performer with decades in the industry, and it's a privilege to hear these snapshots of her talents.
It's obvious by half way that the crowd is keen to hear some classic Miriam stories. As she's presented with audience questions, the lack of structure to the show begins to feel a little awkward. The crowd has asked questions about stories we've all heard before on podcasts or chat shows, and her energy is a little low as she's pushed to repeat these tales. Audience participation is a positive, but maybe more editing is required at production level to ensure we're all getting the best of this beloved actor.
By far the biggest laugh of the show comes as Margolyes is asked about the state of British politics. She first praises Nicola Sturgeon, describing her as "the best of the lot", and expressing disappointment over her resignation (something she recently addressed in an exclusive National interview). She turns her attention to Westminster.
"The English politicians are absolute crap from top to bottom," she says to a huge cheer. "No wonder the Queen died after meeting Liz Truss." The crowd is absolutely won over by this line.
She goes on to aim her anger towards Israel's bombardment of Gaza. Margolyes, who is Jewish, has been outspoken in calling on the Jewish community to demand a ceasefire.
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"I have to say how sad I am that I have to castigate Israel and that shit Netanyahu for what he's doing to the Palestinians," she says to further applause. "Be nice, be human," she continues, before also taking aim at Putin and the "orange turd" Trump.
As she speaks, a small group leave through the back. "I can see all the Jewish people are leaving very quickly," the actor notes. "Sorry about that but I have to tell it as I see it, and that's what I'm like."
By the end, Margoyles has won a standing ovation for her charm, humour and compassion. It's not hard to see why she's such a media mainstay.
Margolyes & Dickens: The Best Bits is on at Pleasance at the EICC, August 8-15, 4pm. Tickets available here.
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