The Habit of Art

Play :: show/work:S282497341, production/tour:T01632007810

Archive Listings

14 Jul 10 to 21 Sep 10

The Habit of Art Play :: listing:L0552535839, production:T01632007810, show:S282497341, venue: V374

Lyttelton (National Theatre) West End Greater London

Details

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. Running time: 2hrs 35mins inclu. interval.
Performers Tom Attwood (Tom), Desmond Barrit (Fitz/Auden), Simon Bubb (Neil), Danny Burns (George), Selina Cadell (Kay/May), Martin Chamberlain (Ralph), Philip Childs (Boyle), Matthew Cottle (Donald/Humphrey Carpenter), Barbara Kirby (Joan), Luke Norris (Tim/Stuart), Leighton Pugh (Matt), Malcolm Sinclair (Henry/Britten/Boyle). Author Alan Bennett. Producer National Theatre. Director Nicholas Hytner. Design Bob Crowley. Lighting Mark Henderson. Sound Paul Groothuis. Music Matthew Scott.