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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: Beauty and the Beast director steps down after leaked email reveals support for Scott Rudin

Exclusive: Beauty and the Beast director steps down after leaked email reveals support for Scott Rudin

News by Matthew Hemley

Scott Rudin to step down from UK productions, Sonia Friedman confirms

Scott Rudin to step down from UK productions, Sonia Friedman confirms

News by Giverny Masso

Iris Theatre reveals line-up for Covent Garden summer festival

Iris Theatre reveals line-up for Covent Garden summer festival

Production News by Giverny Masso

Almeida to collaborate with Ontroerend Goed on interactive digital show

Almeida to collaborate with Ontroerend Goed on interactive digital show

Production News by Georgia Snow

Opinion

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In 2021, theatre has a chance to cement the revolution begun in the 1960s

Could cinema and theatre regain lost audiences with local collaboration?

It’s time to champion disabled theatre talent with an inclusive recovery

Scott Rudin claims pose major test for West End

Cutting Phantom’s orchestra to save money dilutes the sumptuous original

As theatre returns to normal(ish), freelancers deserve better working conditions

Don’t give us a break – intervals are an outmoded, unnecessary theatre convention

In the best retellings of Cinderella, the element of surprise stands out

Scott Rudin claims pose major test for West End

Cutting Phantom’s orchestra to save money dilutes the sumptuous original

The play’s the thing: why Ian McKellen’s age-blind Hamlet is no gimmick

It is time to bring theatre out of the Victorian era – our outdated models do not support freelancers

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Exclusive: Beauty and the Beast director steps down after leaked email reveals support for Scott Rudin

Exclusive: Beauty and the Beast director steps down after leaked email reveals support for Scott Rudin

News by Matthew Hemley

Scott Rudin to step down from UK productions, Sonia Friedman confirms

Scott Rudin to step down from UK productions, Sonia Friedman confirms

News by Giverny Masso

Iris Theatre reveals line-up for Covent Garden summer festival

Iris Theatre reveals line-up for Covent Garden summer festival

Production News by Giverny Masso

Almeida to collaborate with Ontroerend Goed on interactive digital show

Almeida to collaborate with Ontroerend Goed on interactive digital show

Production News by Georgia Snow

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

Cutting Phantom’s orchestra to save money dilutes the sumptuous original

In the best retellings of Cinderella, the element of surprise stands out

Why do so many newspaper columnists love to hate theatre?

Opinion

Latest
Most Read

In 2021, theatre has a chance to cement the revolution begun in the 1960s

Could cinema and theatre regain lost audiences with local collaboration?

It’s time to champion disabled theatre talent with an inclusive recovery

Scott Rudin claims pose major test for West End

Cutting Phantom’s orchestra to save money dilutes the sumptuous original

As theatre returns to normal(ish), freelancers deserve better working conditions

Scott Rudin claims pose major test for West End

Cutting Phantom’s orchestra to save money dilutes the sumptuous original

In 2021, theatre has a chance to cement the revolution begun in the 1960s

It’s time to champion disabled theatre talent with an inclusive recovery

As theatre returns to normal(ish), freelancers deserve better working conditions

Could cinema and theatre regain lost audiences with local collaboration?

Advice

Actor Kashelle Taylor: 'Whatever set you are on, take time out to meet the crew'

Actor Kashelle Taylor: 'Whatever set you are on, take time out to meet the crew'

How will drama schools operate summer courses in 2021?

How will drama schools operate summer courses in 2021?

by Samantha Marsden

Fight director Kate Waters: 'My first minute in a rehearsal room is the most important part of my day'

Fight director Kate Waters: 'My first minute in a rehearsal room is the most important part of my day'

Actor Oliver Dimsdale: ‘I loved every second of my first job’

Actor Oliver Dimsdale: ‘I loved every second of my first job’

Most Commented

Bristol Old Vic to reopen with Touching the Void revival

Bristol Old Vic to reopen with Touching the Void revival

Bristol Old Vic’s stage adaptation of Touching the Void will reopen the theatre next month, the organisation has announced.

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Bristol Old Vic to reopen with Touching the Void revival

Bristol Old Vic to reopen with Touching the Void revival

Bristol Old Vic’s stage adaptation of Touching the Void will reopen the theatre next month, the organisation has announced.

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More on this topic

Exclusive: Beauty and the Beast director steps down after leaked email reveals support for Scott Rudin

Exclusive: Beauty and the Beast director steps down after leaked email reveals support for Scott Rudin

News by Matthew Hemley

Scott Rudin to step down from UK productions, Sonia Friedman confirms

Scott Rudin to step down from UK productions, Sonia Friedman confirms

News by Giverny Masso

Iris Theatre reveals line-up for Covent Garden summer festival

Iris Theatre reveals line-up for Covent Garden summer festival

Production News by Giverny Masso

Almeida to collaborate with Ontroerend Goed on interactive digital show

Almeida to collaborate with Ontroerend Goed on interactive digital show

Production News by Georgia Snow

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Conor McPherson

Big Interviews by Tim Bano

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Advice

Actor Kashelle Taylor: 'Whatever set you are on, take time out to meet the crew'

Actor Kashelle Taylor: 'Whatever set you are on, take time out to meet the crew'

How will drama schools operate summer courses in 2021?

How will drama schools operate summer courses in 2021?

by Samantha Marsden

Fight director Kate Waters: 'My first minute in a rehearsal room is the most important part of my day'

Fight director Kate Waters: 'My first minute in a rehearsal room is the most important part of my day'

Actor Oliver Dimsdale: ‘I loved every second of my first job’

Actor Oliver Dimsdale: ‘I loved every second of my first job’

Recommended for you

Exclusive: Beauty and the Beast director steps down after leaked email reveals support for Scott Rudin

Exclusive: Beauty and the Beast director steps down after leaked email reveals support for Scott Rudin

News by Matthew Hemley

Scott Rudin to step down from UK productions, Sonia Friedman confirms

Scott Rudin to step down from UK productions, Sonia Friedman confirms

News by Giverny Masso

Iris Theatre reveals line-up for Covent Garden summer festival

Iris Theatre reveals line-up for Covent Garden summer festival

Production News by Giverny Masso

Almeida to collaborate with Ontroerend Goed on interactive digital show

Almeida to collaborate with Ontroerend Goed on interactive digital show

Production News by Georgia Snow

Most Read

Across The Stage this week

Phantom 'will not return in original form', investors told in November 2020

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Scott Rudin to step down from UK productions, Sonia Friedman confirms

No intervals, early starts and mask checks: how theatres are preparing to reopen

Helen McCrory

Choreographer Liam Scarlett dies aged 35

Liam Scarlett: ‘I am a bit of a control freak’

Scott Rudin claims pose major test for West End

Cutting Phantom’s orchestra to save money dilutes the sumptuous original

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