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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

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

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

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Jodie Prenger to star in UK tour of Tell Me on a Sunday

Jodie Prenger to star in UK tour of Tell Me on a Sunday

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West End actor Natasha Mould’s new musical of pandemic stories to tour in May

West End actor Natasha Mould’s new musical of pandemic stories to tour in May

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Iris Theatre reveals line-up for Covent Garden summer festival

Iris Theatre reveals line-up for Covent Garden summer festival

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It is time to bring theatre out of the Victorian era – our outdated models do not support freelancers

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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

Jodie Prenger to star in UK tour of Tell Me on a Sunday

Jodie Prenger to star in UK tour of Tell Me on a Sunday

Production News by Matthew Hemley

West End actor Natasha Mould’s new musical of pandemic stories to tour in May

West End actor Natasha Mould’s new musical of pandemic stories to tour in May

Production 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

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.

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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

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

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

Data can help theatre tackle inequality, but beware over-optimistic claims

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

One More Edit

One More Edit

Collection of short dance films from Bristol Old Vic Digital Stage features work from Karni and Saul, and Marisa Zanotti and Lea Anderson

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Morag Deyes to step down as artistic director of Edinburgh's Dance Base

Morag Deyes to step down as artistic director of Edinburgh's Dance Base

Morag Deyes is to step down as artistic director of Dance Base in September, after 27 years at the head of the company

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More on this topic

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

Jodie Prenger to star in UK tour of Tell Me on a Sunday

Jodie Prenger to star in UK tour of Tell Me on a Sunday

Production News by Matthew Hemley

West End actor Natasha Mould’s new musical of pandemic stories to tour in May

West End actor Natasha Mould’s new musical of pandemic stories to tour in May

Production 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

More about this person

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures to launch free YouTube dance classes

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures to launch free YouTube dance classes

News by Matthew Hemley

New Adventures announces emerging dance artists for 2020 development scheme

New Adventures announces emerging dance artists for 2020 development scheme

Appointments by Georgia Snow

Coronavirus: Matthew Bourne reveals ‘devastating impact’ of virus on his company

News by Matthew Hemley

Coronavirus: Matthew Bourne productions to be broadcast on TV

Coronavirus: Matthew Bourne productions to be broadcast on TV

News by Georgia Snow

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’

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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

Jodie Prenger to star in UK tour of Tell Me on a Sunday

Jodie Prenger to star in UK tour of Tell Me on a Sunday

Production News by Matthew Hemley

West End actor Natasha Mould’s new musical of pandemic stories to tour in May

West End actor Natasha Mould’s new musical of pandemic stories to tour in May

Production 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

Most Read

Across The Stage this week

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

Phantom of the Opera orchestra to be cut by 50% when it returns to West End

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

Edinburgh International Festival 2021 to go ahead with Covid-secure outdoor venues

Scott Rudin claims pose major test for West End

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

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

Choreographer Liam Scarlett dies aged 35

Edinburgh Fringe confirms return with registration opening in May

Helen McCrory

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