National Theatre Live: The Habit of Art

Synopsis

National Theatre Live’s 2010 broadcast of Alan Bennett’s acclaimed play The Habit of Art, with Richard Griffiths, Alex Jennings and Frances de la Tour, returns to cinemas as part of the National Theatre's 50th anniversary celebrations. Benjamin Britten, sailing uncomfortably close to the wind with his new opera, Death in Venice, seeks advice from his former collaborator and friend, W H Auden. During this imagined meeting, their first for twenty-five years, they are observed and interrupted by, amongst others, their future biographer and a young man from the local bus station. Alan Bennett’s play is as much about the theatre as it is about poetry or music. It looks at the unsettling desires of two difficult men, and at the ethics of biography. It reflects on growing old, on creativity and inspiration, and on persisting when all passion’s spent: ultimately, on the habit of art.

Main Cast

Richard Griffiths

Fitz / W. H. Auden

Age : 65 | Popularity : 10%

Alex Jennings

Henry / Benjamin Britten

Age : 66 | Popularity : 13%

Frances de la Tour

Kay

Age : 79 | Popularity : 15%

Stephen Wight

Tim / Stuart

Age : 44 | Popularity : 4%

Philip Childs

Brian

Age : N/A | Popularity : 3%

Elliot Levey

Neil

Age : N/A | Popularity : 3%

John Heffernan

George

Age : 89 | Popularity : 24%

Barbara Kirby

Joan

Age : N/A | Popularity : 3%

Crew

Department	Role	Name
Directing	Director	Nicholas Hytner Robin Lough
	Stage Director	Nicholas Hytner
Writing	Writer	Alan Bennett
Costume & Make-Up	Costume Design	Bob Crowley
Sound	Sound Designer	Paul Groothuis
Lighting	Lighting Design	Mark Henderson
Department	Role	Name

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