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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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No Future

No Future

Reviews by Ben KulvichitCamden People’s Theatre/Online

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

News by Giverny Masso

New live-performance venue to open on Brighton beach

New live-performance venue to open on Brighton beach

News by Giverny Masso

LAMDA and ATC appoint Ameera Conrad as associate artist

LAMDA and ATC appoint Ameera Conrad as associate artist

Appointments by Georgia Snow

Opinion

Latest
Most Read

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

Global-majority artists are still hitting the wall – we need to grow our careers

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

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

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

Scott Rudin claims pose major test for West End

It’s high time we flipped the board on those with a monopoly on the industry

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Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

News by Giverny Masso

New live-performance venue to open on Brighton beach

New live-performance venue to open on Brighton beach

News by Giverny Masso

LAMDA and ATC appoint Ameera Conrad as associate artist

LAMDA and ATC appoint Ameera Conrad as associate artist

Appointments by Georgia Snow

National Theatre launches interview series with guests including Olivia Colman

National Theatre launches interview series with guests including Olivia Colman

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

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

Global-majority artists are still hitting the wall – we need to grow our careers

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

Scott Rudin claims pose major test for West End

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

Too old to play Hamlet? Our long theatre history suggests otherwise

Will the West End’s key players follow Liverpool’s lead to win back audiences?

Global-majority artists are still hitting the wall – we need to grow our careers

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

No Future

No Future

Memories and unresolved feelings resurface in a disquieting blend of true crime and autobiography

Most Shared

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

Running from June 21-30, Preston Live Arts Festival will include theatre, dance, music, family entertainment, contemporary art and comedy

Jobs

Agency Sales Account Manager

London

Pricing & Revenue Analyst

London

Scenic Metal Worker

Leicestershire,

Assistant Retail Manager

London

Venue Technician (Stage Engi...

London £32,000

Technical and Building Manager

Oxford

Assistant Operations (SWB26 ...

Bristol £23,160 (pro rata)

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London

Theatre Director

Birmingham £40-50k

Theatre Manager (maternity c...

Birmingham

Assistant Operations (SWB28)

Bristol £23,160

Head of Lighting

Perth, Scotland £29,000

Theatre Teacher

London

Deputy Technical Manager

Bexhill on Sea, East Sussex £26,250

Deputy Head of Lighting

London £28,971

Castings

Comic in 2021 Pantomime Audi...

Dorset Paid

Fairies in 2021 Pantomime Au...

Dorset Paid

Principle Girls in 2021 Pant...

Dorset Paid

Stripper Character - doesn't...

Hackney Paid

Club Owner in Snow

Hackney Paid

Hackney Paid

Bartender/ Security Undercov...

Hackney Paid

Peter Rabbit in The Tale of ...

Romford Paid

Various Roles in The Tale of...

Romford Paid

Dancers in Message in a Bottle

Touring Paid

Ayesha in Story Group - Work...

West London Paid

The Hijabi in ‘Hijabis’ Musi...

Sheffield Paid

One Eye-Patched in A Magical...

Southampton Paid

Cook in A Magical Pirate Adv...

Southampton Paid

Male Dancers in A Magical Pi...

Southampton Paid

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No Future

“Strange and discomfiting”

No Future

Reviews by Ben KulvichitCamden People’s Theatre/Online

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

News by Giverny Masso

New live-performance venue to open on Brighton beach

New live-performance venue to open on Brighton beach

News by Giverny Masso

LAMDA and ATC appoint Ameera Conrad as associate artist

LAMDA and ATC appoint Ameera Conrad as associate artist

Appointments by Georgia Snow

More about this person

Richard Jordan: Why 2019 was the year of the ensemble

Richard Jordan: Why 2019 was the year of the ensemble

Opinion by Richard Jordan

2019: Alternative awards of the year – Boris gags and bye bye Billington

2019: Alternative awards of the year – Boris gags and bye bye Billington

Features by Fergus Morgan

Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2019: the winners in full

Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2019: the winners in full

News by Giverny Masso

Fleabag: the gift that keeps on giving... out free G&Ts

Fleabag: the gift that keeps on giving... out free G&Ts

Opinion by Tabard of The Stage

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

No Future

“Strange and discomfiting”

No Future

Reviews by Ben KulvichitCamden People’s Theatre/Online

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

News by Giverny Masso

New live-performance venue to open on Brighton beach

New live-performance venue to open on Brighton beach

News by Giverny Masso

LAMDA and ATC appoint Ameera Conrad as associate artist

LAMDA and ATC appoint Ameera Conrad as associate artist

Appointments by Georgia Snow

Most Read

Across The Stage this week

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

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

Wac Arts row escalates as 60 sign letter labelling college a ‘place of distrust’

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

To Kill a Mockingbird producer Scott Rudin accused of bullying staff

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

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

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre confirms summer reopening plans

Scott Rudin claims pose major test for West End

Coronavirus: Matthew Bourne productions to be broadcast on TV

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