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 starring Matthew Kelly as Fitz (W. H. Auden) and David Yelland as Henry (Benjamin Britten).
Veronica Roberts will be joining the cast in the role of Kay, the Stage Manager. Her recent theatre credits include Mrs Gascoyne in The Daughter-in-Law (Arcola), Joy Bray in 49 Donkeys Hanged (Plymouth), and Marina in Uncle Vanya (Theatr Clwyd/Sheffield Crucible). She is perhaps best known for playing Dorothy Bennett in the BBC drama Tenko and Laura Elliot in ITV’s Peak Practice.
Robert Mountford plays the Author, Neil. His one man show Vagabonds – My Phil Lynott Odyssey has recently played in Edinburgh, London and Dublin, and he has just finished House and Garden at the Watermill Theatre and Anita and Me for Birmingham Rep. Robert has also toured extensively with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
John Wark will play Donald (Humphrey Carpenter). His theatre work includes Dead Sheep (UK Tour & Park Theatre), Toast (UK Tour, 59E59 New York & Park Theatre), The Cocktail Party (The Print Room), Keepers of Infinite Space (Park Theatre), Thark (Park Theatre), and The Fear of Breathing (Finborough Theatre).
Alexandra Guelff plays the role of George, the Assistant Stage Manager. Her recent theatre credits include Witness for the Prosecution (London County Hall), Gaslight (Royal Derngate), Ghosts (Trafalgar Studios), and The Busy Body (Southwark Playhouse). She has also appeared inCall The Midwife (BBC), Law & Order (ITV), and EastEnders (BBC).
Benjamin Chandler has been cast as Tim (Stuart). His previous credits include The Passing Of The Third Floor Back (Finborough Theatre) and Three Sisters (The Union Theatre).
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.
Alan Bennett’s THE HABIT OF ART premiered at the National Theatre in November 2009, directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring Richard Griffiths, Alex Jennings and Frances de la Tour. The National then toured the production in Autumn 2010 with a new cast led by Desmond Barrit, Malcolm Sinclair and Selina Cadell.
The 2018 tour of THE HABIT OF ART begins on 30 August 2018 at York Theatre Royal, and will be directed by Philip Franks, designed by Adrian Linford, with lighting by Johanna Town, and sound design by Max Pappenheim.
Website: www.originaltheatre.com
Facebook: @OriginalTheatre
Twitter: @OriginalTheatre #HabitOfArt
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Running Time: 2 hours, 20 minutes (including interval)
Suitable for 12+
2018 TOUR SCHEDULE
30 August - 8 September Theatre Royal York 01904 623568
www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
11-15 September Theatre Royal Brighton 0844 871 7650
www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-brighton
17-22 September Salisbury Playhouse 01722 320 333
www.salisburyplayhouse.com
24-29 September Oxford Playhouse 01865 305 300
www.oxfordplayhouse.com On sale soon
3-6 October Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford 01483 44 00 00
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk On sale soon
8-13 October New Wolsey, Ipswich 01473 295900
www.wolseytheatre.co.uk
15-20 October Richmond Theatre 0844 871 7651
www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre
23-27 October Liverpool Playhouse 0151 709 4776
www.everymanplayhouse.com
29 October – 3 November Cambridge Arts Theatre 01223 503333
www.cambridgeartstheatre.com On sale soon
6-10 November Belgrade Theatre, Coventry 024 7655 3055
www.belgrade.co.uk
12-17 November The Lowry, Salford 0843 208 6000
www.thelowry.com
19-24 November Palace Theatre, Southend 01702 351135
www.palacetheatresouthend.co.uk
27 November - 1 December Malvern Theatres 01684 892277
www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
