WH Auden (Dene Irvin, left), Benjamin Britten (Justin Freind) and Donald (Barry Park) – impersonating English pantomime dame Douglas Byng – in The Habit of Art. 

An imagined meeting between English composer Benjamin Britten and poet WH Auden form the basis of the Old Mill Theatre’s latest play.

Written by Alan Bennett, one of the UK’s most prolific living playwrights, The Habit of Art sees the two men meet for the first time in 25 years with Britten seeking advice from Auden – his former collaborator and friend – about his new opera Death in Venice. 

During the 1973 meeting, they are observed and interrupted by, among others, their future biographer and a young man from the local bus station.

The play-within-a-play looks at the unsettling desires of two difficult men and the ethics of biography, reflecting on growing old, creativity and inspiration and persisting when all passion is spent – the habit of art.

THE DETAILS

The Habit of Art plays at 8pm April 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 and 23 with 2pm matinees April 10 and 17. Tickets are $25, $20 concession – book at the Old Mill Theatre website or phone 08 9367 8719. Please note: the play features adult language and themes. 

FURTHER INFORMATION

Follow the Old Mill Theatre on Facebook and you can also find out more via their website.