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.