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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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Under the Mask

Under the Mask

Reviews by Dave FargnoliTheatre Peckham, London

Boris Johnson 'in talks' with Andrew Lloyd Webber over Cinderella opening

Boris Johnson 'in talks' with Andrew Lloyd Webber over Cinderella opening

News by Giverny Masso

‘Most difficult setback yet’ – theatres face financial hit as roadmap delayed

‘Most difficult setback yet’ – theatres face financial hit as roadmap delayed

News by Matthew Hemley

Full theatre reopening delayed until July 19 at the earliest

Full theatre reopening delayed until July 19 at the earliest

News by Georgia Snow

Opinion

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Kneehigh’s loss is sad, but there is a grace in knowing when to let go

Was NT's Hex announcement another example of theatre's nepotism problem?

New York's Drama Book Shop is reborn

Make a Difference Trust: A loss and a legacy that must not be forgotten

Dear Boris Johnson: give theatres clarity or insurance

Can Emma Rice hit new Heights with Brontë adaptation?

Was NT's Hex announcement another example of theatre's nepotism problem?

Kneehigh’s loss is sad, but there is a grace in knowing when to let go

Safeguarding training is the key to protecting theatre’s most vulnerable

Birmingham Rep let down its community. We need to rebuild trust

Now is the perfect time to celebrate theatre’s often undervalued producers

Second acts: Theatre cannot go 'back to normal' post-Covid, it needs to be reborn

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Boris Johnson 'in talks' with Andrew Lloyd Webber over Cinderella opening

Boris Johnson 'in talks' with Andrew Lloyd Webber over Cinderella opening

News by Giverny Masso

‘Most difficult setback yet’ – theatres face financial hit as roadmap delayed

‘Most difficult setback yet’ – theatres face financial hit as roadmap delayed

News by Matthew Hemley

Full theatre reopening delayed until July 19 at the earliest

Full theatre reopening delayed until July 19 at the earliest

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South Bank Sky Arts Awards judges stand by Scottish Opera nomination

South Bank Sky Arts Awards judges stand by Scottish Opera nomination

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.

More from this author

Can Emma Rice hit new Heights with Brontë adaptation?

Jukebox musicals deserve greater respect

When depicting gay lives really was a sin

Opinion

Latest
Most Read

Kneehigh’s loss is sad, but there is a grace in knowing when to let go

Was NT's Hex announcement another example of theatre's nepotism problem?

New York's Drama Book Shop is reborn

Make a Difference Trust: A loss and a legacy that must not be forgotten

Dear Boris Johnson: give theatres clarity or insurance

Can Emma Rice hit new Heights with Brontë adaptation?

Was NT's Hex announcement another example of theatre's nepotism problem?

Kneehigh’s loss is sad, but there is a grace in knowing when to let go

Can Emma Rice hit new Heights with Brontë adaptation?

Dear Boris Johnson: give theatres clarity or insurance

How a job advert signalled freelancer recruitment may be becoming more transparent

New York's Drama Book Shop is reborn

Advice

Sam Benjamin: 'Never quit, no matter how hard it gets'

Sam Benjamin: 'Never quit, no matter how hard it gets'

Louise Andrée Douglas: 'Be yourself, put in the work, and be a team player – you can’t go wrong'

Louise Andrée Douglas: 'Be yourself, put in the work, and be a team player – you can’t go wrong'

Raising voices: how musical theatre training is evolving for today’s shows

Raising voices: how musical theatre training is evolving for today’s shows

by Samantha Marsden

Dinesh Sattee: ‘I got my first backstage job by volunteering, getting involved and gaining experience’

Dinesh Sattee: ‘I got my first backstage job by volunteering, getting involved and gaining experience’

Most Commented

Under the Mask

Under the Mask

Tamasha and Oxford Playhouse’s audio installation provides an authentic insight into the experiences of front-line doctors

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Boris Johnson 'in talks' with Andrew Lloyd Webber over Cinderella opening

Boris Johnson 'in talks' with Andrew Lloyd Webber over Cinderella opening

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Customer Experience Team Mem...

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Castings

MIKE in EWAN MACCOLL: MANCHE...

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London Paid

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Heaton Park, Manchester Paid

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Under the Mask

“Intimate and immediate”

Under the Mask

Reviews by Dave FargnoliTheatre Peckham, London

Boris Johnson 'in talks' with Andrew Lloyd Webber over Cinderella opening

Boris Johnson 'in talks' with Andrew Lloyd Webber over Cinderella opening

News by Giverny Masso

‘Most difficult setback yet’ – theatres face financial hit as roadmap delayed

‘Most difficult setback yet’ – theatres face financial hit as roadmap delayed

News by Matthew Hemley

Full theatre reopening delayed until July 19 at the earliest

Full theatre reopening delayed until July 19 at the earliest

News by Georgia Snow

More about this person

The Stage Unsung Hero Mary Joseph: ‘I play pranks on Rupert Goold all the time – he’s great’

The Stage Unsung Hero Mary Joseph: ‘I play pranks on Rupert Goold all the time – he’s great’

Features by Liz Hoggard

The Stage 100 2020: 21-30

The Stage 100 2020: 21-30

Features by The Stage

Robert Icke's Oresteia and Hamlet to be revived in repertory in New York

Robert Icke's Oresteia and Hamlet to be revived in repertory in New York

News by Georgia Snow

The Doctor starring Juliet Stevenson announces West End transfer

The Doctor starring Juliet Stevenson announces West End transfer

News by Georgia Snow

More about this organisation

Almeida to live-stream Hymn starring Adrian Lester and Danny Sapani

Almeida to live-stream Hymn starring Adrian Lester and Danny Sapani

Production News by Nuray Bulbul

Coronavirus: Genesis Foundation offers freelancers £100k support boost

Coronavirus: Genesis Foundation offers freelancers £100k support boost

News by Georgia Snow

Theatremaker Molly Taylor: 'My job is to listen and put the voices of the participants, my co-authors, on stage'

Theatremaker Molly Taylor: 'My job is to listen and put the voices of the participants, my co-authors, on stage'

Features by Lyn Gardner

Anne-Marie Duff to star in new Beth Steel play at Almeida

Anne-Marie Duff to star in new Beth Steel play at Almeida

News by Georgia Snow

Advice

Sam Benjamin: 'Never quit, no matter how hard it gets'

Sam Benjamin: 'Never quit, no matter how hard it gets'

Louise Andrée Douglas: 'Be yourself, put in the work, and be a team player – you can’t go wrong'

Louise Andrée Douglas: 'Be yourself, put in the work, and be a team player – you can’t go wrong'

Raising voices: how musical theatre training is evolving for today’s shows

Raising voices: how musical theatre training is evolving for today’s shows

by Samantha Marsden

Dinesh Sattee: ‘I got my first backstage job by volunteering, getting involved and gaining experience’

Dinesh Sattee: ‘I got my first backstage job by volunteering, getting involved and gaining experience’

Recommended for you

Under the Mask

“Intimate and immediate”

Under the Mask

Reviews by Dave FargnoliTheatre Peckham, London

Boris Johnson 'in talks' with Andrew Lloyd Webber over Cinderella opening

Boris Johnson 'in talks' with Andrew Lloyd Webber over Cinderella opening

News by Giverny Masso

‘Most difficult setback yet’ – theatres face financial hit as roadmap delayed

‘Most difficult setback yet’ – theatres face financial hit as roadmap delayed

News by Matthew Hemley

Full theatre reopening delayed until July 19 at the earliest

Full theatre reopening delayed until July 19 at the earliest

News by Georgia Snow

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Ian McKellen launches grants of up to £25k for actors' wages in new shows

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Drama schools issue joint response condemning harassment

Barbican staff publish 100 stories of racism at organisation

Chris Goode arrested for possession of indecent images prior to death

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