The Habit of Art
Cardigans, talking mirrors, and pissing in the sink
Review
It's testament to the popularity of Alan Bennet's newest play that Itchy was able to prat about for 9 months and still manage to see it in the original production (albeit with a new cast) at London's National Theatre before the cast toddle off on tour. The Habit of Art shows us the cast and crew of Caliban's Day, attempting a full run-through whilst their director is unexpectedly absent. It centres on the relationship between composer Benjamin Britten and poet W.H. Auden, both approaching the ends of their lives, both struggling with their art, their sexuality, and their age. The play-within-the-play is a magnificently hit-and-miss affair: at its most poetic the dialogue is profoundly moving and memorable, at its most farcical inanimate objects (most notably a chair, and one of the creases in Auden's deeply wrinkled face) speak monologues in painfully. hilariously ridiculous rhyming couplets.
The faithful precision of the staged rehearsal space is painstakingly ensured through the presence beyond the set (but on the stage) of a grotty kitchen, a sound guy, and the door to a secret loo that only Fitz knows about (it's the only place he can get his business done without risk of 'being overheard').
This is, we suppose, relatively experimental Bennett, and he doesn't quite pull off the experiment. That hardly matters though, because he does succeed in holding the unerring attention of a delighted audience, and in writing the most hilarious start to a second half we have ever, ever seen.
The Habit of Art is at the National until 21st September before going on a national tour. You can get tickets for performances at The National here. Then the regional tour will take it to all manner of places that aren't London at all, including Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow and Nottingham.If you're 16-25, you could see this or other plays at the National for free, or failing that £5, as part of their Entry Pass Scheme.
Helen True
