Film fans might like to know about a special offering by Landmark at the Tivoli Theater at noon, Saturday, May 15. It's a stage play broadcast live from the National Theater in London, "The Habit of Art" by Alan Bennett ("The History Boys").

I very much enjoyed a poorly attended first screening on May 8 and urge everyone not to miss it. The play concerns the poet W.H. Auden and the composer Benjamin Britten, who were close friends and collaborators on an opera about Paul Bunyan. After it flopped, they became estranged, only to come together in the play after 25 years to discuss "the habit of art."

The play is actually a "play within a play" because it portrays a rehearsal of the play, complete with director, petulant author and occasionally difficult actors. Any connoisseurs of acting will be in Heaven. The play is both serious and very funny and includes a strong gay male theme.

I am sorry not to have learned about this series of broadcasts sooner, but the series will continue next season. Anyone who has enjoyed the live broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera at the Art Museum will rejoice that technology can bring us productions direct from New York and London.

Tickets are $20 at the Tivoli box office. Since "The Habit of Art" will be shown in the Tivoli's main theater, there should be no problem getting tickets on May 15. Enjoy!