Alan Bennett News

Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus, it is with a heavy heart that 59E59 Theaters announced that the 2020 Brits Off Broadway festival has been canceled. The 15th annual season of new British theater was scheduled to begin on April 14.

In light of the closure of theatres across the UK due to COVID-19, the Original Theatre Company's productions of Alan Bennett's THE HABIT OF ART and Ali Milles's THE CROFT, both of which were touring the UK, will now each have an online launch performance.

In light of the most recent government advice due to COVID-19, The Original Theatre Company's production of Alan Bennett's THE HABIT OF ART, which was due to open at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne on Wednesday 18 March 2020, will now perform a closed filmed performance on Wednesday 18 March 2020 at 2pm.

Jan Ravens and Julia Watson excel in three of Alan Bennett's famous monologues, two of which pack a surprising punch, 30 years on.

Renowned lyricist Don Black will be honoured with this year's Special Olivier Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to theatre.

Jan Ravens and Julia Watson will star in Talking Heads, three of the much-loved classic monologues from British playwriting royalty, Alan Bennett, directed by Watford Palace Theatre's own artistic director Brigid Larmour. Poignant, comic and full of humanity, Talking Heads invites us into the hearts and minds of three peculiarly English ladies - Muriel in her tweed skirt and pearls in Soldiering On, the public-spirited Miss Ruddock in A Lady of Letters, and Susan, the long-suffering Vicar's wife in Bed Among The Lentils.

Alex Jennings will lead the cast in the world premiere of Stephen Beresford's The Southbury Child directed by Nicholas Hytner at the Bridge Theatre. Designs are by Mark Thompson with sound by George Dennis and lighting by Max Narula. Further casting will be announced shortly.

New Diorama Theatre has announced the programme for Brits Off Broadway this spring, hosting the finest Off West End theatre on American soil. This festival is co-curated with New York's 59E59 and takes place at the Drama Desk Award-winning Midtown theatre from Tuesday 14 April to Sunday 28 June.

Kate O'Flynn is in award-winning form as the baby who grows into a girl and then a woman before her life's span is through in Alistair McDowall's clattering monologue.

Casting details are announced for the Royal Shakespeare Company's (RSC) 2020 Summer production of The Comedy of Errors, which plays in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 25 April 2020. Joining the previously announced Miles Jupp, who will make his RSC debut as Antipholus of Syracuse, is Jonathan Broadbent (Dromio of Syracuse), Justin Edwards (Antipholus of Ephesus), Greg Haiste (Dromio of Ephesus), Georgia Landers (Luciana) and Annette McLaughlin (Adrianna). Directed by Phillip Breen, the production will be cross-cast with The Winter's Tale (from 28 March 2020) and Pericles (from 15 August 2020). All three plays are sponsored by Darwin Escapes.

With the critically acclaimed production of The Boy Friend currently running at the theatre, the Menier Chocolate Factory today announce the forthcoming two productions a?" the European première of Paula Vogel's Tony Award-winning play Indecent, directed by Rebecca Taichman; and Alan Bennett's Habeas Corpus directed by Patrick Marber, who returns to the Menier following his smash-hit production of Tom Stoppard's Travesties.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has today released rehearsal photos for for the brand new in-house production of Alan Bennett's THE HISTORY BOYS from 7 – 22 February 2020.

Louise Jameson (EastEnders, Doctor Who, Bergerac) will direct a new stage production of Robin Hawdon's suspense-filled thriller Revenge. The play opens at Greenwich Theatre, London, on 6th February before touring the UK. There will be a national press night on Thursday 6th February.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has today revealed the first teaser trailer for the upcoming in-house production of Alan Bennett's THE HISTORY BOYS from 7 a?" 22 February 2020.

Jan Ravens and Julia Watson are cast in Talking Heads, three of the much-loved classic monologues from British playwriting royalty, Alan Bennett, directed by Watford Palace Theatre's own artistic director Brigid Larmour. Poignant, comic and full of humanity, Talking Heads invites us into the hearts and minds of three peculiarly English ladies - Muriel in her tweed skirt and pearls in Soldiering On, the public-spirited Miss Ruddock in A Lady of Letters, and Susan, the long-suffering Vicar's wife in Bed Among The Lentils.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that theatre and opera director Sir Jonathan Miller, best known for directing and starring in the Beyond the Fringe satirical revue, has died at age 85.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre has officially launched the brand new in-house production of Alan Bennett's THE HISTORY BOYS from 7 a?" 22 February 2020.

Three-time Olivier Award winner Alex Jennings (Netflix's The Crown), in Chicago rehearsing for his upcoming role in the Tony Award-winning musical, The Light in the Piazza, at the Lyric Opera House Dec. 14-29, will make a special appearance at the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (164 N. State Street) following the National Theatre Live screening of the engrossing new work, Hansard, in which he co-stars with Olivier and Tony Award-winning actress Lindsay Duncan (Private Lives), Friday evening, December 6, at 7:45pm.  Jennings will be on hand afterwards to answer questions about his acclaimed Broadway, West End, and TV career.

Led by multi-platinum entertainer Dierks Bentley, 2019's 3rd annual a?oeHeal The Music Daya?? raised over $400,000 for Music Health Alliance (MHA). Entirely funded through grants and individual and corporate donations, a?oeHeal The Music Daya?? highlights the music community's efforts to provide financial support for the non-profit's critical and life-saving free services.

Theatre Royal Bath Productions and Everyman Theatre Cheltenham today announce a brand new production and UK tour of Ronald Harwood's highly acclaimed drama The Dresser starring the much loved UK entertainer Julian Clary as Norman and Olivier Award winner Matthew Kelly as 'Sir'. Directed by Terry Johnson, The Dresser will run at Cheltenham Everyman Theatre from 10 to 19 September 2020 followed by Theatre Royal Bath from 21 to 26 September where it will have its opening night for press on 23 September 2020. The production will continue to tour until Spring 2021 with further dates and venues to be announced in due course. Tickets for Cheltenham and Bath go on sale tomorrow.