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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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Bridge Theatre confirms reopening season featuring Simon Russell Beale

Bridge Theatre confirms reopening season featuring Simon Russell Beale

Production News by Georgia Snow

Soho Theatre to reopen with premiere of Amanda Wilkin's Shedding a Skin

Soho Theatre to reopen with premiere of Amanda Wilkin's Shedding a Skin

Production News by Giverny Masso

Equity sets out manifesto asks for elections in England, Scotland and Wales

Equity sets out manifesto asks for elections in England, Scotland and Wales

News by Giverny Masso

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

News by Giverny Masso

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

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

Recommended for you

Bridge Theatre confirms reopening season featuring Simon Russell Beale

Bridge Theatre confirms reopening season featuring Simon Russell Beale

Production News by Georgia Snow

Soho Theatre to reopen with premiere of Amanda Wilkin's Shedding a Skin

Soho Theatre to reopen with premiere of Amanda Wilkin's Shedding a Skin

Production News by Giverny Masso

Equity sets out manifesto asks for elections in England, Scotland and Wales

Equity sets out manifesto asks for elections in England, Scotland and Wales

News by Giverny Masso

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

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

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

Scott Rudin claims pose major test for West End

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bridge Theatre confirms reopening season featuring Simon Russell Beale

Bridge Theatre confirms reopening season featuring Simon Russell Beale

London’s Bridge Theatre has confirmed its reopening plans, which include the premiere of a new play by Nina Raine, starring Simon Russell Beale.

Most Shared

Bridge Theatre confirms reopening season featuring Simon Russell Beale

Bridge Theatre confirms reopening season featuring Simon Russell Beale

London’s Bridge Theatre has confirmed its reopening plans, which include the premiere of a new play by Nina Raine, starring Simon Russell Beale.

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More on this topic

Bridge Theatre confirms reopening season featuring Simon Russell Beale

Bridge Theatre confirms reopening season featuring Simon Russell Beale

Production News by Georgia Snow

Soho Theatre to reopen with premiere of Amanda Wilkin's Shedding a Skin

Soho Theatre to reopen with premiere of Amanda Wilkin's Shedding a Skin

Production News by Giverny Masso

Equity sets out manifesto asks for elections in England, Scotland and Wales

Equity sets out manifesto asks for elections in England, Scotland and Wales

News by Giverny Masso

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

News by Giverny Masso

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

Bridge Theatre confirms reopening season featuring Simon Russell Beale

Bridge Theatre confirms reopening season featuring Simon Russell Beale

Production News by Georgia Snow

Soho Theatre to reopen with premiere of Amanda Wilkin's Shedding a Skin

Soho Theatre to reopen with premiere of Amanda Wilkin's Shedding a Skin

Production News by Giverny Masso

Equity sets out manifesto asks for elections in England, Scotland and Wales

Equity sets out manifesto asks for elections in England, Scotland and Wales

News by Giverny Masso

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

Selladoor and Preston City Council to produce live arts festival

News by Giverny Masso

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

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

To Kill a Mockingbird producer Scott Rudin accused of bullying staff

Scott Rudin claims pose major test for West End

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

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

Coronavirus: Matthew Bourne productions to be broadcast on TV

Theatres to measure anti-racism progress with industry toolkit

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