The Original Theatre Company and The Anthology Group in association with Peter Stickney and York Theatre Royal
Alan Bennett’s
The Habit of Art
TOURING SPRING 2020
Directed by Philip Franks
Starring Matthew Kelly and David Yelland
‘The result is a take on life, sexuality, death and everything, that is witty, moving, laugh-aloud funny and understatedly profound… the cast uniformly stunning’ The Guardian/Observer ☆☆☆☆☆
‘Kelly and Yelland are on top form heading an ensemble who highlight the way that art is both magical and mundane… ambitious, revealing and hugely entertaining.’ The Times ☆☆☆☆
‘It’s sharp, and often funny, teasing and important. The play holds up, even better, ten years on.’ Libby Purves ☆☆☆☆
‘Thought-provoking and expertly played, this is not a production to be missed.’ Broadway World ☆☆☆☆☆
‘The whole cast gave a performance that was both thought provoking and funny.’ Fairy Powered Productions ☆☆☆☆
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 WH Auden and the composer Benjamin Britten.
Exploring friendship, rivalry and heartache this multi layered masterpiece examines the joy, pain and emotional cost of creativity.
This production directed by Philip Franks marks the first ever revival of the play and stars the Olivier Award winning Matthew Kelly (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), Jessica Dennis (Henry Vand The Tempest, Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre) and Benjamin Chandler (Passing From The Third Floor Back).
Matthew Kelly
David Yelland
The Details
Show, reviews, cast and production details
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, Bennet gives us a play about a meeting between the poet WH Auden and the composer Benjamin Britten.
Exploring friendship, rivalry and heartache this multi layered masterpiece examines the joy, pain and emotional cost of creativity.
This production directed by Philip Franks marks the first ever revival of the play and stars the Olivier Award winning Matthew Kelly (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), Jessica Dennis (Henry Vand The Tempest, Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre) and Benjamin Chandler (Passing From The Third Floor Back).
‘The result is a take on life, sexuality, death and everything, that is witty, moving, laugh-aloud funny and understatedly profound… the cast uniformly stunning’ The Guardian/Observer ☆☆☆☆☆
‘Kelly and Yelland are on top form heading an ensemble who highlight the way that art is both magical and mundane… ambitious, revealing and hugely entertaining.’ The Times ☆☆☆☆
‘It’s sharp, and often funny, teasing and important. The play holds up, even better, ten years on.’ Libby Purves ☆☆☆☆
‘Thought-provoking and expertly played, this is not a production to be missed.’ Broadway World ☆☆☆☆☆
‘The whole cast gave a performance that was both thought provoking and funny.’ Fairy Powered Productions ☆☆☆☆
CAST
Matthew Kelly l WH Auden
David Yelland l Benjamin Britten
Veronica Roberts l Kay
Robert Mountford l Neil
John Wark l Donald
Jessica Dennis l George
Benjamin Chandler l Tim
CREATIVE TEAM
Director Philip Franks
Designer Adrian Linford
Lighting Johanna Town
Sound Max Pappenheim
Casting Joyce Nettles
18 – 21 March
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourn
23 – 28 March
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
31 March – 4 April
King’s Theatre, Edinburgh
6 – 11 April
Curve, Leicester
On sale soon
13 – 18 April
Royal & Derngate, Northampton
On sale November
27 April – 2 May
Theatre Royal Bath
On sale soon
4 – 9 May
Ashcroft Playhouse, Fairfield Halls, Croydon
On sale January
11 – 16 May
Theatr Clwyd, Mold
On sale soon
18 – 23 May
Exeter Northcott Theatre
On sale soon