The Choral
(Author) Alan Bennett*** Pre-order ENOUGH SAID, Alan Bennett's fourth collection of diaries and prose, now! Publishing March 2026 *** You don't have to believe it. I always took the Matthew Passion with a pinch of salt. Ramsden, Yorkshire, 1916. The ambitious local Choral Society is depleted as men volunteer for the front and plans for their St Matthew Passion by German composer J. S. Bach are scuppered by patriotic fervour. Dr Guthrie, the mysterious, exacting new Chorus Master, finds a replacement in Elgar's Dream of Gerontius and swells the choir's numbers with teenage boys and girls. Together they discover the urgency of desire and the joy of singing as the new boys come to terms with their imminent conscription, and friendships and summer trysts are suffused with a melancholy sense of all that might soon be lost. This beautiful screenplay is published alongside the film's UK release (on 7 November 2025), and includes a preface by the author and an introduction from Nicholas Hytner.
Alan Bennett
Alan Bennett is a British playwright, author, and actor known for his sharp wit and keen observations of British society. His most notable works include "The History Boys," "The Madness of George III," and "The Lady in the Van." Bennett's writing style is characterized by its humor, social commentary, and vivid characterizations. He is renowned for his ability to capture the complexities and nuances of everyday life in Britain. Bennett's contributions to literature have had a profound impact on the genre of British comedy and drama. His most famous work, "The History Boys," won multiple awards and has been adapted into a successful film. Bennett's work continues to be celebrated for its wit, insight, and humanity.
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