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David Benedict

Biography

David Benedict has been a daily columnist and theatre editor on the Independent and arts editor of the Observer. He is chief London critic of Variety, a regular guest on the BBC, and is currently writing the authorised biography of Stephen Sondheim. Read David's columns for The Stage every Wednesday.

Recent Articles

My favourite play: Marianne Elliott

FeaturesJan 24, 2025

Which productions most inspired, moved and delighted our leading theatremakers? An innovative adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s only novel is the pick of director and producer Marianne Elliott

How long should a play be? Probably not 45 minutes

OpinionJan 21, 2025

The BBC’s plan to cut all drama from Radio 3 and confine it to 45-minute slots on Radio 4 shows little understanding of the art form, says David Benedict

My favourite play: Ronke Adekoluejo

FeaturesJan 13, 2025

Which productions most inspired, moved and delighted our leading theatremakers? A new play about friends meeting for a reunion is the pick of actor Ronke Adekoluejo

In praise of so-called ‘supporting actors’

OpinionJan 7, 2025

David Benedict highlights the the exhilarating work in the category of "supporting characters" in a year of London theatre

I had mixed feelings about the NT’s Importance of Being Earnest. And that’s a good thing

OpinionDec 10, 2024

The first half achieved exquisite comic balance, the second did not, but I’d rather see that than something merely obedient and proficient, says David Benedict

My favourite play: Elliot Levey

FeaturesDec 6, 2024

Which productions most inspired, moved and delighted our leading theatremakers? A 2011 revival of Arnold Wesker’s family drama is the pick of actor Elliot Levey

Wicked is casting a spell over film audiences – what's the secret to its screen success?

OpinionNov 26, 2024

David Benedict takes a look at the numbers behind the success of this "Marmite movie" and asks what has made it such a hit on stage and screen

My favourite play: Penelope Wilton

FeaturesNov 22, 2024

Which productions most inspired, moved and delighted our leading theatremakers? A performance of Uncle Vanya – with Michael Redgrave stealing the play from under Laurence Olivier’s nose – is the pick of actor Penelope Wilton

Call me Scrooge, but this over-told tale is so rarely done well

OpinionNov 12, 2024

Year after year of stale stagings of Dickens’ Christmas classic highlight the difficulty of instilling dramatic tension into a story that we all know so well

My favourite play: Indhu Rubasingham

FeaturesNov 11, 2024

Which productions most inspired, moved and delighted our leading theatremakers? Director Indhu Rubasingham selects a 1980s Larry Kramer play about the AIDS epidemic