The Original Theatre Company, York Theatre Royal, and Ghost Light Productions are delighted to announce the full cast for the first ever revival of Alan Bennett’s ‘The Habit Of Art ‘directed by Philip Franks and starringMatthew Kelly as Fitz (W. H. Auden) and David Yelland as Henry (Benjamin Britten).

Joining Kelly and Yelland on stage will be; Veronica Roberts in the role of Kay, the Stage Manager. Robert Mountford plays the Author, Neil. John Wark will play Donald (Humphrey Carpenter). Alexandra Guelff plays the role of George, the Assistant Stage Manager. Benjamin Chandler has been cast as Tim (Stuart).

‘The Habit Of Art’ explores friendship, rivalry and heartache, the joy, pain and emotional cost of creativity.  It is centered on a fictional meeting between poet W. H. Auden and composer Benjamin Britten.

Bennett wrote it as a play-within-a-play – actors Fitz, Henry, Tim and Donald are rehearsing a play called ‘Caliban’s Day’ under the direction of stage manager, Kay, and in the presence of the playwright, Neil. In ‘Caliban’s Day,’ a fictitious meeting occurs in 1973 in Auden’s (Fitz) rooms at Oxford not long before he dies.  Britten (Henry) has been auditioning boys nearby for his opera ‘Death in Venice,’ and arrives unexpectedly – their first meeting in 25 years after falling out over the failure of their opera Paul Bunyan.

Listings Information 
The Habit of Art 
Dates: Mon 12 – Sat 17 November
Times: 8pm. Wed & Sat 2pm.
Tickets: £23.50 – £33.50.  Conc £2 off (selected performances)
Website
Running Time:  2 hours, 20 minutes (including interval)
Suitable for 12+

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