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The Habit of Art

A new play by Alan Bennett

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. Read more …

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.


The critical consensus

It comes across as if Bennett was afraid to commit to anything for long...it also comes acrosss as one big inside joke.

Michael Cox, Onstage Scotland, 24/11/2010

I am just disappointed that a show featuring two major artists, and written by a third, lacked so little relevance.

Gareth K Vile, The Skinny, 24/11/2010

Another exasperating case of a writer of undeniable ability taking to his theatrical easy chair.

Mark Brown, The Herald, 22/11/2010

Bennett has created a frank and sometimes filthy affair that manages to be both homage to Auden and Britten and knowingly funny treatise on the state of art, with both states hinting at some personal undertones.

****(*)Neil Cooper, The Herald, 25/11/2010

The Habit Of Art represents an outstanding example of how to focus a series of complex themes into a two-and-a-half-hour main-stage play.

****(*)Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman, 26/11/2010


Features about The Habit of Art

National Theatre hit The Habit of Art set for Glasgow Theatre Royal

Steve Cramer, The List, 15/11/2010

Stage: Imaginary encounter

Brian Beacom, Evening Times, 18/11/2010

Theatre preview: Alan Bennett's The Habit of Art

Mark Fisher, The Scotsman, 23/11/2010

Keeping it in the family

Neil Cooper, The Herald, 23/11/2010

Where and when?

Theatre Royal, Glasgow from Tuesday November 23, 2010, until Saturday November 27, 2010. More info: www.theambassadors.com/theatreroyalglasgow/

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