Desmond Barrit News

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.

Following a highly acclaimed tour in 2018, The Original Theatre Company and The Anthology Group in association with Peter Stickney and York Theatre Royal's production of Alan Bennett's THE HABIT OF ART will return and tour the UK in 2020. Directed by Philip Franks and starring Matthew Kelly as Fitz (W. H. Auden) and David Yelland as Henry (Benjamin Britten). The tour begins on 18 March 2020 at Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne.

The Original Theatre Company, York Theatre Royal, and Ghost Light Productions are delighted to announce the full cast for the first ever revival of Alan Bennett's THE HABIT OF ART directed by Philip Franks and starring Matthew Kelly as Fitz (W. H. Auden) and David Yelland as Henry (Benjamin Britten). 

The Original Theatre Company and York Theatre Royal will present the first ever revival of Alan Bennett's THE HABIT OF ART directed by Philip Franks and starring Matthew Kelly as W. H. Auden/Fitz and David Yelland as Benjamin Britten/Henry. The tour begins on 30 August 2018 at York Theatre Royal.

Audiences have until 18 November to see Hollywood and Broadway icon Stockard Channing star in the new critically acclaimed production of Olivier Award winner Alexi Kaye Campbell's drama Apologia at Trafalgar Studios.

Stockard Channing, Freema Agyeman, Laura Carmichael, Desmond Barrit and Joseph Millson star in a new West End production of Olivier Award winner Alexi Kaye Campbell's darkly funny and haunting play about family and its secrets. APOLOGIA is at Trafalgar Studios until 18 November - book tickets here!

Back in 2009, Alexi Kaye Campbell followed up his bold first play The Pride with Apologia, which takes the well-trodden path of a fraught family reunion where past grievances stalk the present. If more conventional, it's still an enjoyable combination of big ideas, sharp comedy and a pervading sense of loss.

Freema Agyeman,  Laura Carmichael, Desmond Barrit, and Joseph Millson join Tony and Emmy award winner Stockard Channing in a new production of Olivier Award winner Alexi Kaye Campbell's darkly funny and haunting play about family and its secrets, directed by the multi-award winning Jamie Lloyd.

London is never short of theatre temptations, whether splashy West End shows, epic dramas or bold fringe offerings. From a starry drama to musical revivals and family-friendly fun, here are some of this month's most eye-catching openings. Don't forget to check back for BroadwayWorld's reviews…

Final casting has been announced for Apologia, which will begin previews on 29th July at Trafalgar Studios. Laura Carmichael will join previously announced Tony and Emmy award winner Stockard Channing, Freema Agyeman, Joseph Millson and Olivier Award winner Desmond Barrit in a new production of Alexi Kaye Campbell's darkly funny and haunting play about family and its secrets, directed by Jamie Lloyd.

Further casting has been announced for Apologia, which will begin previews on 29th July at Trafalgar Studios. Freema Agyeman will join previously announced Tony and Emmy award winner Stockard Channing in a new production of Olivier Award winner Alexi Kaye Campbell's darkly funny and haunting play about family and its secrets, directed by the multi-award winning Jamie Lloyd.

Citizens Theatre Artistic Director Dominic Hill directs a new co-production between Bristol Old Vic, Citizens Theatre, Glasgow and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse of Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The Rivals this autumn. The elegant yet earthy 18th-century comedy of manners features some of the most enduring and eccentric comic characters in British theatre and plays at the Citizens Theatre from 2 to 19 November.

A new entertainment by Michael Wynne, The Star, will mark Liverpool Playhouse's 150th anniversary this Christmas in honour of its origins as a Music Hall venue. Directed by Philip Wilson, the production will feature Michael Starke. At the Everyman Associate Director Nick Bagnall's effervescent take on The Two Gentlemen of Verona sets the action in a colourful and musical 1960s. Desmond Barrit will appear alongside Maggie Steed as Mrs Malaprop in Sheridan's elegant comedy of manners The Rivals at the Playhouse.

Tamara Harvey begins her tenure as artistic director of Theatr Clwyd with Robert Hastie's delightful and thought-provoking production of Tennessee Williams's Southern plantation melodrama, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

New Artistic Director of Theatr Clywd Tamara Harvey today announces her inaugural theatre season for the company.

Making their Chichester debuts as George and Maud are Richard Fleeshman (UrineTown, Ghost: The Musical, Legally Blonde) and the Olivier Award nominated Summer Strallen (Top Hat, Love Never Dies, The Sound of Music). The stellar cast also includes Desmond Barrit (The History Boys, Wicked and numerous RSC productions), Isla Blair (Made in Dagenham, The Lyons, Festival 2009'sCollaboration), Richard Dempsey (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Michael Grandage's A Midsummer Night's Dream), Nicholas Farrell (Festival 2011's South Downs / The Browning Version, 37 Days and Chariots of Fire) and Sally Ann Triplett (Follies!, Anything Goes, Guys and Dolls).

George is an American composer working at the Savoy Theatre in London. Maud is the thoroughly English Lady Marshmoreton, a beautiful socialite who lives in a castle with a ha-ha and a drawbridge.

Performances begin tonight, May 30, at the Chichester Festival Theatre for a new Gershwin musical, A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS. It officially opens on June 10 and will close June 27. Check out rehearsal footage and interviews with the cast below!