Alan Bennett’s People Heading to the National Theatre

His last play, “The Habit of Art”, appeared at the National Theatre from 2009 to 2010 and now he has announced his follow-up. Alan Bennett will be returning to the National Theatre in the Autumn with “People” with Nicholas Hytner directing and additional details yet to be announced.

Alan Bennett is perhaps the best known playwright working in the United Kingdom thanks to a long line of critical acclaimed shows that have appeared from the start of his career back in the 1950s. He is perhaps best known for the likes of “The Madness of George III”, its film adaptation “The Madness of King George” and, the show that launched “One Man, Two Guvnors” star James Corden, “The History Boys”. However, his other credits include the mentioned “The Habit of Art” in 2009, “Habeus Corpus” in 1973, “Getting On” in 1971 and “Forty Years On” in 1968.

Meanwhile, Sir Nicholas Hytner has also been behind a wealth of acclaimed shows over the years, including the mentioned Richard Bean with James Corden. His other credits include “England People Very Nice”, “The History Boys”, “Sweet Smell of Success”, “Twelfth Night”, “Carousel” and “Miss Saigon”. His work has also been seen on the big screen thanks to the movie versions of “The History Boys” and “The Madness of King George”, which he also directed alongside films like “Center Stage”, “Twelfth Night, or What You Will”, “The Object of My Affection” and “The Crucible”.

The plot of “People” is not yet known, though based on the success of his previous plays with London theatre audiences, it is expected to make a big impression. Bennett’s last play “The Habit of Art” explored a fictional meeting between W H Auden and Benamin Britten, as portrayed by a group of actors attempting to fight their way through the play. The show ran at the Lyttelton National Theatre from November 2009 to 2010 and featured Richard Griffiths in the role of Fritz.

London theatre audiences can expect more information to appear for “People” as the year progresses, though the play is due to open next Autumn.