David Benedict has been a daily columnist and theatre editor on the Independent and arts editor of the Observer. He is chief London critic of Variety, a regular guest on the BBC, and is currently writing the authorised biography of Stephen Sondheim. Read David's columns for The Stage every Wednesday.
Thanks to Arts Council England’s recently published analysis on opera and music theatre, ‘relevance’ is back on the agenda. But the report and its conclusions do not show true understanding of art and artists
Composers have proved rich pickings for dramatists over the years, including two plays about Benjamin Britten now running in London and Stratford. So what it is about the lives of maestros that has such dramatic appeal?
Noël Coward was a prolific master of satire and sentiment, yet it is the same few of his works that are revived again and again. Let’s give some different Coward plays an outing
Loud directorial approaches are often commended, but more recognition should be given to those directors who take a quieter and less intrusive approach, too
Successful plays start with a great idea, but it is dramatic tension and gripping delivery that make them a success, as proved by the BBC’s thrilling series The Traitors
Transfers between the West End and Broadway are flourishing, though they highlight some important differences, notably the steep disparity in ticket prices
As The Human Body prepares to open, it’s time to make sure the subtle, resonating Kirkwood is removed from the long list of under-appreciated playwrights