The Habit of Art - Altrincham Garrick

The Habit of Art - plenty to ponder in Bennett play.

BILL Platt and Jonathan Black deserves nothing but praise for their performances as the poet WH Auden and the composer Benjamin Britten in this play, which sees the Garrick embark on another memorable outing with Alan Bennett.

It centres around a meeting between the two cultural icons, a meeting which took place only in Bennett’s ridiculously fertile imagination and offers a thought provoking take on a range of issues, including culture and sexuality.

It’s fair to say the brilliant writer doesn’t spare the audience’s blushes when it comes to the pleasures of the flesh and the sex references were too much for a couple who voted with their feet and left after 20 minutes or so.

But regular readers of my reviews will know I think theatre is at its best when it challenges our way of thinking and while some of the dialogue may strike Bennett followers as a little fruity in places, it is counteracted by his trademark wit and wisdom.

Bill and Jonathan give what is for me, their finest performances to date on the Garrick stage, with both actors exuding a poise and a presence that made it impossible for me not to hang on their every word.

They play actors playing Auden and Britten in a play which begins with a classic case of mistaken identity, with Auden mistaking the man who has come to interview him for a rent boy he’s ordered.

As Humphrey Carpenter, Stuart Mathers is exemplary and his timing exceptional.

The Garrick’s designer par excellence Barry Purves has devised a set that perfect captures the clutter of Auden’s living quarters, rooms so disgusting they make Steptoe’s backyard look positively luxurious,

It’s fair to say that while The Habit of Art might not have the instant appeal of some of Bennett’s other hits, it is an important and engaging piece that’s well worth seeing.

Just make sure you go with your concentrating head on.

Until September 24. The box office is on 0161 928 1677 or you can book by visiting www.altrinchamgarrick.co.uk

Star rating - 3.5 out of 5.

Photo - Martin Ogden.