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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

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

My favourite performance: Monica Dolan

FeaturesNov 4, 2024

Which productions most inspired, moved and delighted our leading theatremakers? Actor Monica Dolan chooses a particular performance in the National Theatre’s 2006 revival of a Harley Granville-Barker play

Finally – a decent theatre trailer

OpinionOct 29, 2024

Most theatre trailers are actually, despite what PRs might hope, no help at all in selling tickets, says David Benedict, but I’ve just seen one that might defy that trend

My favourite play: Michael Grandage

FeaturesOct 21, 2024

Which productions most inspired, moved and delighted our leading theatremakers? An RSC touring production from 1978, featuring Ian McKellen, is the pick of director Michael Grandage

Beware trying to adapt a masterpiece for the stage

OpinionOct 15, 2024

What defines a masterpiece is content being realised within its perfect form – that’s why the chances of turning something perfect into another masterpiece are so slim, says David Benedict