TONY BENN’S death at 88 last March deprived socialists of their greatest standard bearer, but a play opening in London tonight will ensure his life continues to encourage them at a crucial moment.
He always told anyone who asked that the humble epitaph “he encouraged us” would be the most touching tribute.
The opening of Tony’s Last Tapes, based on 11 volumes of the political giant’s diaries, comes less than a fortnight from the general election.
Tony Benn’s constituents chose him by an overwhelming majority — but because he had inherited a peerage, parliamentary rules declared their choice invalid, writes MAT COWARD
KEITH RICHMOND relishes a superbly conceived modern version of Aeschylus’ drama of murderous family succession
GEORGE FOGARTY is dazzled by a breathtakingly skillful puppet version of Shakespeare’s greatest love poem
Although this production was in rehearsal before the playwright’s death, it allows us to pay homage to his life, suggests MARY CONWAY



