Exploring friendship, rivalry and heartache this multi layered masterpiece examines the joy, pain and emotional cost of creativity.
Alan Bennett is one our greatest and most celebrated playwrights, with a cavalcade of stage and screen blockbusters including The History Boys, The Madness of King George and Talking Heads. He is applauded as a genius for his sharp character observations and treasured for the way he beautifully balances wit, wistfulness and compassion.
In The Habit of Art, Bennett gives us a play about a meeting between the poet W H Auden and the composer Benjamin Britten.
This production directed by Philip Franks marks the first ever revival of the play and stars the Olivier Award winning Matthew Kelly (Twelfth Night at the Everyman, Of Mice and Men, Toast and Pride and Prejudice) and David Yelland (Chariots of Fire and The Crown) with Veronica Roberts (Tenko, Peak Practice), Robert Mountford (Anita and Me), John Wark (Dead Sheep), Alexandra Guelff (Witness for the Prosecution) and Benjamin Chandler (Passing From The Third Floor Back).
Presented by The Original Theatre Company and York Theatre Royal
Cast
Matthew Kelly
WH Auden
David Yelland
Benjamin Britten
Veronica Roberts
Kay
Robert Mountford
Neil
John Wark
Donald
Alexandra Guelff
George
Benjamin Chandler
Tim
Company
Writer Allan Bennett
Director Philip Franks
Designer Adrian Linford
Lighting Johanna Town
Reviews
The Habit of Art
★★★★
"Ambitious, revealing and hugely entertaining"
The Habit of Art
★★★★★
“Witty, moving, laugh-aloud funny and understatedly profound”
The Habit of Art
★★★★★
"Thought-provoking and expertly played, this is not a production to be missed"
