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David Benedict

David Benedict

David Benedict has been a daily columnist and theatre editor on the Independent, arts editor of the Observer and chief London critic of V...

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A new take on The Turn of the Screw shows the potential of mixing forms

A sad tale’s best for winter? Not in 2021

Annilese Miskimmon is a good choice to produce ‘bankers’ at ENO

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Exclusive: Rebecca Kane Burton leaves LW Theatres after five years

Exclusive: Rebecca Kane Burton leaves LW Theatres after five years

News by Matthew Hemley

The ‘English Elvis’: Tommy Steele’s 65 years in the spotlight

The ‘English Elvis’: Tommy Steele’s 65 years in the spotlight

Features by Michael Quinn

Hamlet starring Ian McKellen – review round-up

Hamlet starring Ian McKellen – review round-up

Review Round-Ups by Fergus Morgan

Stage Directions: James Purefoy – ‘I’ve missed moments in theatre when it feels like lightning is striking’

Stage Directions: James Purefoy – ‘I’ve missed moments in theatre when it feels like lightning is striking’

Features by Fergus Morgan

Opinion

Latest
Most Read

Without swift action it won’t just be Cinderella facing Closure Day

People are more important than art. Theatre must do more to protect them

What’s the secret to a great adaptation? Focus on form as well as content

Where is theatre’s promised insurance scheme?

The rules may be relaxing, but that doesn’t mean all theatre audiences are

‘Freedom’ for the fit, worry for disabled audiences – is this what theatre wants?

People are more important than art. Theatre must do more to protect them

How can we support freelancers? Give them salaries and a seat at the table

Theatre has become a money-making machine. We have a chance to change

I love theatre, but not its damaging long-hours culture – it’s no way to live

Covid passports are on their way, but will there be any theatre left to watch?

From Angela Lansbury’s Auntie Mame to Constellations of stars, casting is key

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Exclusive: Rebecca Kane Burton leaves LW Theatres after five years

Exclusive: Rebecca Kane Burton leaves LW Theatres after five years

News by Matthew Hemley

The ‘English Elvis’: Tommy Steele’s 65 years in the spotlight

The ‘English Elvis’: Tommy Steele’s 65 years in the spotlight

Features by Michael Quinn

Hamlet starring Ian McKellen – review round-up

Hamlet starring Ian McKellen – review round-up

Review Round-Ups by Fergus Morgan

Video Test

International Event Tabsby Rachel Scott

David Benedict

David Benedict

David Benedict has been a daily columnist and theatre editor on the Independent, arts editor of the Observer and chief London critic of Variety (2006-2014). He is currently writing the authorised biography of Stephen Sondheim and is a regular guest on the BBC. Read David's columns for The Stage every Wednesday.

More from this author

What’s the secret to a great adaptation? Focus on form as well as content

From The Sound of Music to Glee, the path to Schmigadoon! is paved with box-office gold

From Angela Lansbury’s Auntie Mame to Constellations of stars, casting is key

Opinion

Latest
Most Read

Without swift action it won’t just be Cinderella facing Closure Day

People are more important than art. Theatre must do more to protect them

What’s the secret to a great adaptation? Focus on form as well as content

Where is theatre’s promised insurance scheme?

The rules may be relaxing, but that doesn’t mean all theatre audiences are

‘Freedom’ for the fit, worry for disabled audiences – is this what theatre wants?

People are more important than art. Theatre must do more to protect them

The rules may be relaxing, but that doesn’t mean all theatre audiences are

What’s the secret to a great adaptation? Focus on form as well as content

Without swift action it won’t just be Cinderella facing Closure Day

Theatre has become a money-making machine. We have a chance to change

Where is theatre’s promised insurance scheme?

Advice

Amanda Stuart Fisher: 'We need to think about global challenges and theatre’s role in meeting them'

Amanda Stuart Fisher: 'We need to think about global challenges and theatre’s role in meeting them'

Kaysha Woollery: 'My first job came during the first lockdown. It was a godsend'

Kaysha Woollery: 'My first job came during the first lockdown. It was a godsend'

Sterre Maier: 'You never know where one job may lead'

Sterre Maier: 'You never know where one job may lead'

Lottie Walker: 'I wouldn’t be doing my current show without my first job'

Lottie Walker: 'I wouldn’t be doing my current show without my first job'

Most Commented

Exclusive: Rebecca Kane Burton leaves LW Theatres after five years

Exclusive: Rebecca Kane Burton leaves LW Theatres after five years

Kane Burton’s departure comes after LW Theatres unveiled the new Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which has been restored as part of a £60 million project

Most Shared

Exclusive: Rebecca Kane Burton leaves LW Theatres after five years

Exclusive: Rebecca Kane Burton leaves LW Theatres after five years

Kane Burton’s departure comes after LW Theatres unveiled the new Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which has been restored as part of a £60 million project

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More on this topic

Exclusive: Rebecca Kane Burton leaves LW Theatres after five years

Exclusive: Rebecca Kane Burton leaves LW Theatres after five years

News by Matthew Hemley

The ‘English Elvis’: Tommy Steele’s 65 years in the spotlight

The ‘English Elvis’: Tommy Steele’s 65 years in the spotlight

Features by Michael Quinn

Hamlet starring Ian McKellen – review round-up

Hamlet starring Ian McKellen – review round-up

Review Round-Ups by Fergus Morgan

Stage Directions: James Purefoy – ‘I’ve missed moments in theatre when it feels like lightning is striking’

Stage Directions: James Purefoy – ‘I’ve missed moments in theatre when it feels like lightning is striking’

Features by Fergus Morgan

Advice

Amanda Stuart Fisher: 'We need to think about global challenges and theatre’s role in meeting them'

Amanda Stuart Fisher: 'We need to think about global challenges and theatre’s role in meeting them'

Kaysha Woollery: 'My first job came during the first lockdown. It was a godsend'

Kaysha Woollery: 'My first job came during the first lockdown. It was a godsend'

Sterre Maier: 'You never know where one job may lead'

Sterre Maier: 'You never know where one job may lead'

Lottie Walker: 'I wouldn’t be doing my current show without my first job'

Lottie Walker: 'I wouldn’t be doing my current show without my first job'

Recommended for you

Exclusive: Rebecca Kane Burton leaves LW Theatres after five years

Exclusive: Rebecca Kane Burton leaves LW Theatres after five years

News by Matthew Hemley

The ‘English Elvis’: Tommy Steele’s 65 years in the spotlight

The ‘English Elvis’: Tommy Steele’s 65 years in the spotlight

Features by Michael Quinn

Hamlet starring Ian McKellen – review round-up

Hamlet starring Ian McKellen – review round-up

Review Round-Ups by Fergus Morgan

Stage Directions: James Purefoy – ‘I’ve missed moments in theatre when it feels like lightning is striking’

Stage Directions: James Purefoy – ‘I’ve missed moments in theatre when it feels like lightning is striking’

Features by Fergus Morgan

Most Read

Across The Stage this week

Lloyd Webber: Without government support now I could be forced to sell my theatres

Hamlet

‘Devastating’ 50% cuts to arts subjects in higher education confirmed

Fairfield Halls: how renovating the flagship venue turned into a £70 million fiasco

Lloyd Webber: My final plea to the government – scrap the isolation rules

People are more important than art. Theatre must do more to protect them

Opening of Lloyd Webber's Cinderella cancelled as 'Freedom Day turns into closure day'

Hamlet starring Ian McKellen – review round-up

Musical Theatre Academy to close citing financial difficulties

Lloyd Webber working with Equity to pay Cinderella cast during closure

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