Alan Bennett’s The Habit Of Art makes its North West debut at The Lowry
Following rave reviews and sell-out success, Alan Bennett’s new play The Habit
of Art makes its North West debut at The Lowry (Tue 5 – Sat 9 Oct).
Benjamin Britten, sailing uncomfortably close to the wind with his new opera, Death in Venice, seeks advice from his former collaborator and friend, W H Auden. During this imagined meeting, their first for twenty-five years, they are observed and interrupted by, amongst others, their future biographer and a young man from the local bus station.
Alan Bennett’s new play is as much about the theatre as it is about poetry or music. It looks at the unsettling desires of two difficult men, and at the ethics of biography. It reflects on growing old, on creativity and inspiration, and on persisting when all passion’s spent: ultimately, on the habit of art.
The Habit Of Art is Alan Bennett’s fifth play for the National Theatre. His last play, The History Boys, opened at the Lyttelton in 2004, toured nationally and internationally, and played for two seasons in the West End and on Broadway. Among its many awards were the Laurence Olivier, Tony and Critics Circle Awards for Best Play, and the South Bank Show Award for Theatre.
Desmond Barrit (as WH Auden), Selina Cadell (as Kay) and Malcolm Sinclair (as Benjamin Britten) lead the cast, which also includes Tom Attwood, Simon Bubb, Danny Burns, Martin Chamberlain, Philip Childs, Matthew Cottle, Barbara Kirby, Luke Norris, Leighton Pugh and Aaron Wetheridge. The production is designed by Bob Crowley, with lighting by Mark Henderson, music by Matthew Scott and sound by Paul Groothuis.
Desmond Barrit (WH Auden) played Hector in Alan Bennett’s The History Boys at the National, on tour and in the West End. His National Theatre work also includes Stuff Happens, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Alan Bennett’s version of The Wind in the Willows; other stage credits include Wicked (West End) and many leading roles for the RSC, including Falstaff in both The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV, Bottom and Malvolio.
Selina Cadell (Kay, the Stage Manager) appeared in Alan Bennett’s The Madness of George III at the National and on screen; she recently appeared in The Cherry Orchard with The Bridge Project in New York and at the Old Vic. Her many TV roles include Mrs Tishell in Doc Martin, the college dean in Lab Rats and Dorothy Crowther in The Amazing Mrs Pritchard, as well as appearances in Spooks, Midsomer Murders, Lewis, New Tricks and The Catherine Tate Show.
Malcolm Sinclair (Benjamin Britten) recently appeared in David Hare’s The Power of Yes at the National; his recent stage work includes the Headmaster in The History Boys on Broadway and international tour, and Ivanov (Donmar in the West End). His extensive work on television and film includes Midsomer Murders, Hustle, Judge John Deed, Pie in the Sky, The Young Victoria and Casino Royale.
Since he became Director of the National in April 2003, Nicholas Hytner has directed Henry V, His Dark Materials, The History Boys, Stuff Happens, Henry IV, Southwark Fair, The Alchemist, The Man of Mode, The Rose Tattoo (with Stephen Pimlott), Rafta, Rafta… , Much Ado About Nothing, Major Barbara, England People Very Nice, Phèdre and London Assurance.
Please note: THE HABIT OF ART contains strong language and sexual references.
‘Another absolute cracker, often wonderfully and sometime filthily funny, but also deeply and unexpectedly moving.’
Daily Telegraph *****
‘Alan Bennett the maestro returns with a multi-layered masterpiece.’
Independent *****
‘The glorious quality of the writing – brimming with humanity
and humour – and Nicholas Hytner’s flawless production carry you
along on a wave of pleasure.’
Mail on Sunday *****
Posted on Wednesday, 15 September 2010 under Theatre Press