Where can you see a live performance of a play for just £10? In your local cinema. The National Theatre are broadcasting live performances to cinemas worldwide in an experiment to expand their audience. And what a fantastic idea this is. I saw Alan Bennett’s new play, The Habit of Art, and probably had a better view than those in the front stalls at the National Theatre.

The play was preceded by a documentary preview, showing interviews with WH Auden and Benjamin Britten, who in their early careers worked together before falling out and not speaking to one another for many years.

The Habit of Art, is essentially a play within a play. The actors rehearse a play that explores the relationship between Auden and Britten and their biographer. It also features references to their interest in young men, and Auden’s liking for “sucking off” before 6pm. The play ends when Britten goes to see Auden for advice on his new opera, Death in Venice, but doesn’t really receive the support he is seeking.

As a play within a play, The Habit of Art, also explores the relationship between the author, actors and director. They argue between each other, none of them becoming outright winners, until Fitz, the actor playing Auden, has to leave for a voice-over with Tesco. There are many quotes from the play that will resonate with writers and I’ll leave you with a few:

“The natural state of a writer is not to write.”
“I have the habit of art. I work all day, but do nothing.”

The National Theatre will continue to broadcast plays to cinemas in June and again in the Autumn. See ntlive.com for details.