laughter here is a scene from alan bennett's play the habit of art which, on the face of it, imagines meeting between a poet, wh auden, and composer, benjamin britten. but there are also plenty ofjokes that allude to another meeting of creative minds. do you always mean what you write? that of the playwright and his long—term collaborator, the director nicholas hytner. we never had rows. i mean, i can only remember about two disagreements. if you believe that art comes out of conflict, it doesn't work in that way, no. but it does come out of compromise. what would you say, of all those plays that you two have made together — some of which have become films — is the high point? well, the thing we enjoyed absolutely every minute of it was obviously the history boys. so i'll thank you! if no—one! mentions oxford! 0r cambridge! in my! lessons! as the director of the national theatre, what is it about alan bennett plays that seem to make them absolutely bullet—proof when it comes to success? don't say that! well, the way alan talks through his characters is the way large audiences wanted t

alan bennett is one of this country's greatest living playwrights.e brought some of the most critically acclaimed works to the stage — creating huge hits like the history boys and the lady in the van. 0ur arts editor, will gompertz, has been talking to them about their collaboration which has lasted more than a quarter of a century. they treat me like an oracle. and that's what oracles do, they repeat themselves. laughter here is a scene from alan bennett's play the habit of art which, on the face of it, imagines a meeting between a poet, wh auden, and composer, benjamin britten. but there are also plenty ofjokes that allude to another meeting of creative minds. do you always mean what you write? that of the playwright and his long—term collaborator, the director nicholas hytner. we never had rows. i mean, i can only remember about two disagreements. if you believe that art comes out of conflict, it doesn't work in that way, no. but it does come out of compromise. what would you say, of all those plays that you two have made together — some of which

there is a great alan bennett in bad at the uncommon reader at the staff meeting says, i'm off.g at ten o'clock this morning, that is what we know it isn't. the queen only yesterday met theresa may to dissolve parliament for the general election, prince philip opened a new stand at lord's. his infamous line, he is the best plaque unveiling the world, which i'm sure is the case if you are 95 going on 96 and married the woman that would become queen in 1947. that is the woman that would become queen in 19117. that is the case and indeed to further underline the fact they are finding they should be out and about today at an engagement later this morning so we will see them. the queen has been slowly handing over duties to younger members of the household. yes. this announcement, i'm desperately trying not to cross my line, which to