The Best Bits Review: Nation’s Favorite Foul Mouth

“Guaranteed to offend and delight,” claims the publicity. In today’s landscape, it’s almost impossible to hear the name Miriam Margolyes without the accompanying “national treasure” label. This honorific implies that few, if any, would take offense at her colorful language on stage. True to form, Margolyes delivers with panache, sharing vivid anecdotes about outdoor self-gratification and unexpected drug busts.

However, these raucous stories are preceded by a different kind of performance. In the first half of her show, Margolyes dedicates herself to delivering a selection of excerpts from Charles Dickens, reflecting her deep admiration for the author and showcasing her versatile talent.

Margolyes points out that Dickens created an astonishing 2,000 characters. “And I’m going to perform them all for you now!” she exclaims. While she aims high, some audiences might feel shortchanged, given that she only performs Dickens material for 25 minutes, followed by a Q&A session exceeding half an hour. It’s a pity, considering the evident kinship between Margolyes’ flamboyant persona and Dickens’s vivid world view.

Margolyes presents her renditions of iconic characters like Mrs. Gamp, Flora Finching, and Fagin, complete with an eloquently throaty cackle. She reads the closing passages of “A Christmas Carol,” bringing to mind her unforgettable role in the “Blackadder” adaptation, although it’s not mentioned during her performance.

Her enactment of the courtship between Mr. Bumble and Mrs. Corney is particularly striking. When Dickens writes, “if ever a beadle looked tender,” Margolyes injects life into the jest with her impeccable timing and character work. It’s a dazzling showcase of her range.

But soon enough, Margolyes returns to the character for which she is most famous—herself. A helper comes on stage to present her with questions from the audience, setting her up to recount familiar stories previously shared on Graham Norton’s talk show.

There’s a tale about a late-night encounter with an amorous man in an Edinburgh park, and another involving her seaside cottage being unwittingly used by drug runners. Each story is met with uproarious laughter and adoration from the audience, even if the material feels a bit recycled. The crowd even chuckles at her well-worn quip about the Queen’s passing after meeting Liz Truss.

“Offends and delights?” Margolyes undoubtedly delivers more delight than discomfort. Audiences discover that this beloved television personality is just as enchanting in person as she is on the small screen.