Claire Benedict

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Claire Benedict
Born (1951-07-28) 28 July 1951 (age 72)
Alma materLondon Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
OccupationActress
Years active1978–present

Claire Benedict (born 28 July 1951) is a British actress known for her work in classical productions on the British stage, but best known for portraying the principal character Mma Ramotswe in the continuing radio adaptations of The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. She won a Time Out Award for Best Performance for her portrayal of Sophia Adams in Errol John's Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, directed by Maya Angelou.[1] She lives in Todmorden in the Pennines.[2]

Early life[edit]

Benedict was born in Antigua and began to act at Norwood Secondary School for Girls, then Kingsway Further Education College on Gray's Inn Road, London. After two years at Kingway College, she gained entrance to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). After leaving LAMDA, Benedict worked with Theatre in Education (TIE) in London then trained with the Black Theatre Workshop of Montréal.[3]

Career[edit]

In her first ten years after completing her training, Benedict worked on the British stage in leading roles for smaller theatre companies and supporting roles for larger theatre companies until in 1988, when she received a Time Out award for Best Performance for her portrayal of Sophia Adams in Errol John's Moon on a Rainbow Shawl, directed by Maya Angelou.[1]

In 1992, Benedict joined the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to do three plays, Odyssey, Cleopatra and Tamburlaine. On Cleopatra, Benedict was taken on as an understudy for Clare Higgins when not many people of colour were playing the character of Cleopatra. In November 1992, Benedict was needed to step in at short notice and had not had time to fully rehearse the role. Carol Chillington-Rutter's book Enter the Body explores this subject with reference to Benedict's performance, where she explores why women of colour have traditionally been cast as Charmain and white women Cleopatra.[4]

By 1994, The Independent included Benedict in a shortlist of "seasoned thoroughbred Shakespearians, gutsy actors who are assured verse speakers".[5] She is now an associate artist at the RSC.[6]

Benedict has for many years worked in radio drama, where she is known for portraying the principal character Mma Ramotswe in the radio adaptations of Alexander McCall Smith's The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels. On television, she played a series regular in Call Red, and numerous supporting roles.

Benedict has played the part of Iyaloja in four separate productions of Wole Soyinka's play Death and the King's Horseman: Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester directed by Phyllida Lloyd in 1990; Royal National Theatre directed by Rufus Norris in 2009; and two productions for BBC Radio 3 directed by Alby James in 1995 and directed by Pauline Harris in 2014.

Benedict has worked with Lenny Henry on many occasions: supporting roles in his television series; playing his character's father's girlfriend then wife in all four series of Rudy's Rare Records on BBC Radio 4; playing the lead role in the first radio play he wrote Corrinne Come Back and Gone; and in two of the series of Bad Faith radio plays in which he played the lead role. In February 1994, during rehearsals for the Young Vic's Omma, the entire cast, including Benedict and Toby Jones, quit the production when they thought director Tim Supple was failing to give them appropriate direction.[7]

Credits[edit]

Theatre[edit]

Date Title Role Director Company
Theatre
Notes
12 April 197816 April 1978 Hey You, Light Man Mabel Le Grain Terry Donald Black Theatre Workshop,
Montréal, Québec
[8] [9]
11 November 197814 November 1978 The Gingerbread Lady Evy Meara Terry Donald Black Theatre Workshop,
Montréal, Québec
[10] [9]
1979 Dreadful Tales Frank Whitten Common Stock Theatre Company [11]
August 1979 Away From It Teenager Frank Whitten Common Stock Theatre Company [11]
1982 Mama Decemba The Best Friend Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company [12]
29 August 19831 February 1984 Don Juan Donna Elvira John Retallack Actors Touring Company [13]
26 March 198426 June 1984 Twelfth Night Maria, Curio John Retallack Actors Touring Company [14] [1]
1986 So Long on Lonely Street Annabel Lee Lou Stein Palace Theatre, Watford [11]
16 December 198624 January 1987 Flash Trash Mama Queenie Yvonne Brewster Half Moon Theatre [11] [15]
6 January 1987 The Nine Night Gloria Hamilton Umoja Theatre Company [11] [16]
30 March 198713 June 1987 11 Josephine House Gloria Gloria Hamilton Umoja Theatre Company and
Black Theatre Co-operative
[11] [17] [18] [19]
7 October 198719 December 1987 The Cape Orchard Dianne Cupido Roland Rees Foco Novo [20] [21] [22]
28 January 198827 February 1988 King of England Susan Philip Hedley Theatre Royal, Stratford East [1] [23]
May 1988 Moon on a Rainbow Shawl Sophia Adams Maya Angelou Almeida Theatre [1][24]
1988 The Bacchae Agave Nancy Meckler Shared Experience [25]
22 February 198915 May 1989 The Doctor of Honour Doña Leonar Lindsay Posner Cheek by Jowl [26] [11]
September 1989January 1990 Macbeth Lady Macbeth Nigel Jamieson Odyssey Theatre Company [1]
May 1990September 1990 Romeo and Juliet Nurse Bill Homewood Hull Truck [1] [27]
22 November 199015 December 1990 Death and the King's Horseman Yaloja Phyllida Lloyd Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester [12]
8 June 1991 The White Devil Cornelia Philip Prowse Olivier, National, London [28]
31 October 199130 November 1991 Medea Medea Phyllida Lloyd Royal Exchange, Manchester [29] [1]
2 July 1992 The Odyssey Eurycleia Greg Doran Royal Shakespeare Company
The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon
[12] [30]
1 September 19921993 Tamburlaine the Great Zenocrate Terry Hands Royal Shakespeare Company
Swan, Stratford
Barbican Theatre, London
[12] [31] [32]
29 October 1992 Antony and Cleopatra Charmian John Caird Royal Shakespeare Company [1]
2 March 19939 March 1993 Antony and Cleopatra Charmian John Caird Royal Shakespeare Company
Theatre Royal, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
[33]
22 June 1993 The Odyssey Eurycleia Greg Doran Royal Shakespeare Company
The Pit, Barbican Arts Centre, London
[12] [34]
The Odyssey Helen of Troy Greg Doran Royal Shakespeare Company [12]
1997 A Midsummer Night's Dream Titania, Hippolyta Phelim McDermott
Julian Crouch
English Shakespeare Company [1]
19971998 To Kill A Mockingbird Theatre Royal, Bath [35]
3 December 199819 December 1998 So Special The Mother, Nurse Matthew Lloyd Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
28 January 199927 February 1999 The Tempest Antonio Jude Kelly West Yorkshire Playhouse,
Leeds
[1] [36] [37]
25 May 200019 August 2000 The Gift Bernice Annie Castledine Birmingham Repertory Theatre Company
Tricycle Theatre Kilburn, London
[12] [38] [39]
11 October 200011 November 2000 The Critic / The Dispute Mrs. Dangle Matthew Lloyd Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester [40]
25 April 200214 September 2002 Eastward Ho! Mistress Touchstone Lucy Pitman-Wallace Royal Shakespeare Company
Swan, Stratford
[41] [42]
2 July 200214 September 2002 The Island Princess Quisana Gregory Doran Royal Shakespeare Company
Swan, Stratford
[43] [44]
20 August 200213 September 2002 The Malcontent Maquerelle Dominic Cooke Royal Shakespeare Company
Swan, Stratford
[45] [46] [47]
25 September 200211 October 2002 The Malcontent Maquerelle Dominic Cooke Royal Shakespeare Company
Newcastle Playhouse, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
[48]
30 September 200210 October 2002 Eastward Ho! Mistress Touchstone Lucy Pitman-Wallace Royal Shakespeare Company
Newcastle Playhouse, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
[41]
9 October 200212 October 2002 The Island Princess Quisana Gregory Doran Royal Shakespeare Company
Newcastle Playhouse, Newcastle-upon-Tyne
[49]
7 December 200222 March 2003 The Malcontent Maquerelle Dominic Cooke Royal Shakespeare Company
Gielgud Theatre, London
[50] [51]
21 December 200219 March 2003 Eastward Ho! Mistress Touchstone Lucy Pitman-Wallace Royal Shakespeare Company
Gielgud Theatre, London
[52] [53]
28 December 200217 March 2003 The Island Princess Quisana Gregory Doran Royal Shakespeare Company
Gielgud Theatre, London
[54] [55]
16 December 200423 March 2005 Fix Up Norma Angus Jackson National Theatre
Cottesloe Theatre, London
[56] [57] [58] [59]
6 December 200530 September 2006 The Canterbury Tales The Wife of Bath Gregory Doran,
Rebecca Gatwood,
Jonathan Munby
Royal Shakespeare Company [60] [61] [62] [63] [64]
4 February 20085 April 2008 Angel House Jean Paulette Randal New Wolsey Theatre [65] [66] [67]
9 June 20082 August 2008 Romeo and Juliet Nurse Timothy Sheader New Shakespeare Company
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
[1] [68] [69] [70] [71]
13 June 200830 July 2008 Twelfth Night Maria Edward Dick New Shakespeare Company
Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
[1] [72] [73]
8 April 200917 June 2009 Death and the King's Horseman Iyaloja Rufus Norris Olivier, National, London [74] [75] [76] [77]
11 September 201425 October 2014 Hamlet Player King, Marcella Sarah Frankcom Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester [1] [78] [79] [80] [81] [82]

[Issue 1]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Merisairas aka Seasick Cook Saba
1997 The Fifth Province [12]
1999 Felicia's Journey Miss Calligary
2015 Jupiter Ascending Bureaucrat
2015 Hamlet Marcella / Player King
2019 The Invisible Gertrude

Television[edit]

Date Title Role Network Notes
Dream Team Channel 5 [12] [Issue 2]
Text In Time BBC tv [12] [Issue 3]
1988 The Bill: Country Cousin (S 4: Ep 9) Mrs Williams Thames Television [83]
1992 Prime Suspect 2 Esme Allen Granada Television [83]
1994 The Bill: Land of the Blind (S 10: Ep 127) Miranda Kerr Thames Television [83]
1996 Call Red Jude Patton Thames Television
1997 Grange Hill Mrs Phillips BBC tv
1998 Still Here: Just So Much A Body Can Take Ethel BBC tv [12] [84]
2003 Doctors: Docwatch (S 5: Ep 156) Christine Babbage BBC tv [83]
2004 Casualty: Taking Care Lesley Chambers BBC tv [85]
2004 Feather Boy Matron BBC tv
2005 The Lenny Henry Show Nurse BBC tv [83]
2006 Eleventh Hour: Resurrection Amanda Ross Granada Television [86]
2007 Holby City: The Apprentice Elizabeth McFarlane BBC tv [87]
2008 Poppy Shakespeare Rosetta Channel 4 [88] [89]
2009 Unforgiven Elaine (psychotherapist) ITV [90]
2010 Above Suspicion: The Red Dahlia (S 2: Ep 1) Mrs Jenkins ITV [83]
2010 Thorne: Scaredy Cat (Ep 1, 3) Maeve Reynolds Sky Television [83] [91][92]
2011 Waking the Dead: Conviction (S 9: Ep 7–8) Lisbetta Barclay BBC tv [93] [94]
2012 The One Lenny Henry Esther BBC tv [95]
2012 Secrets and Words: A Study in Time Connie BBC tv [96]
2012 Holby City: Taxi for Spence Margaret O'Sullivan BBC tv [97]
2015 Casualty: A Child's Heart: Part One and Part Two Olivia Costelloe BBC tv [98][99]
2015–2016 In the Club (2 episodes) Myleene Browning BBC tv [100] [101]
2017 The Frankenstein Chronicles: ep 9, ep 10, ep 12 Mrs Wild ITV Encore

Radio[edit]

Date Title Role Director Station
12 December 199416 December 1994 Invisible Cities [12] Tessa Watt BBC Radio 3
6 April 1995 Charley Tango [102] Bettina & Sister Euphonia Jeremy Mortimer BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
17 September 1995 Death and the King's Horseman [103] Iyaloja Alby James BBC Radio 3
The Sunday Play
2 October 1995 Rainmaker [104] Hamish Wilson BBC Radio 4
Monday Play
3 March 1996 A Raisin in the Sun [105] Claire Grove BBC Radio 3
The Sunday Play
9 May 1996 Out of the Woods [106] Bonnie Gordon House BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
17 June 1996 United States [107] Andy Jordan BBC Radio 4
The Monday Play
12 August 1996 Spell Number 7 [108] Bettina Pam Fraser Solomon BBC Radio 4
The Monday Play
26 August 1996 Song of a Bluefoot Man [109] Mother Africa Alby James BBC Radio 4
The Monday Play
5 November 1996 Short Story: Dilemma [110] Read By Pam Fraser Solomon BBC Radio 4
Short Story
1 November 1998 The Late Story: A Living Legend [111] [12] Read By Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
The Late Story
8 June 1999 Those Old Metal Things [112] [12] Bertha Pauline Harris BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
11 July 1999 Document of Identity [113] [114] [12][115] Kiisu Pauline Harris BBC Radio 3
The Sunday Play
13 August 2000 (R) The Late Story: Miss Joyce and Bobcat [116] Read By Melanie Harris BBC Radio 4
The Late Story
1 January 20015 January 2001 The Book of the City of Ladies [117] Reason Polly Thomas BBC Radio 4
Woman's Hour Drama
28 November 2001 Always the Bridesmaid [118] Sarah Pauline Harris BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
21 February 2002 When [119] Sahara Vanessa Whitburn BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
22 April 2003 The Other Side of Truth [120] Aunt Gracie / Mrs Bankole Pauline Harris BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
1 February 2004 Measure for Measure [121] [1] Mistress Overdone Claire Grove BBC Radio 3
Drama on 3
8 February 2004 The Winter's Tale [122] [1] Paulina Nadia Molinari BBC Radio 3
Drama on 3
17 May 2004 I Was a Stranger [123] Lakiyaye & Queen Victoria Pauline Harris BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
29 May 2004 Amen Corner[124] Sister Margaret Alexander Rishi Sankar BBC World Service
10 September 2004 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Daddy [125] [126] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
17 September 2004 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Bone [127] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
24 September 2004 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Maid [128] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
1 October 2004 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Tears of the Giraffe [129] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
30 August 2005 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Chief Justice of Beauty [130] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
6 September 2005 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Confession [131] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
13 September 2005 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Kalahari Typing School for Men [132] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
20 September 2005 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Admirer [133] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
18 January 2007 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: How to Handle Men through the Application of Psychology [134] Mma Ramotswe Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
25 January 2007 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: House of Hope [135] Mma Ramotswe Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
1 February 2007 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Return of Note [136] Mma Ramotswe Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
8 February 2007 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Ceremony [137] Mma Ramotswe Kirsty Williams BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
25 November 2007 Blood Wedding [138] [139] Moon Pauline Harris BBC Radio 3
Drama on 3
1 January 2008 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: There Is No Such Thing as Free Food [140] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
2 January 2008 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Best Profession for a Blackmailer [141] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
3 January 2008 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: A Very Rude Woman [142] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
4 January 2008 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Talking Shoes [143] [144] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
26 February 2008 Rudy's Rare Records: Take Me Home, Country Roads [145] [146] Doreen Lucy Armitage BBC Radio 4
4 March 2008 Rudy's Rare Records: Roots Manoeuvres [147] [148] Doreen Lucy Armitage BBC Radio 4
25 December 2008 The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Miracle at Speedy Motors [149] Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
21 September 200922 September 2009 Blame the Parents [150] [151] Linda Swann Steven Canny and Peter Leslie Wild BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
14 October 2009
28 October 2009
Rudy's Rare Records:
* "Ill Communication" [152] [153]
* "Oh Carolina" [154][155]
* "Daddy Cool" [156][157]
roles by episode:
* Doreen / Ms Rogers
* Carolina
* Doreen
Lucy Armitage BBC Radio 4
25 December 2009
(holiday double)
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency:
* "Tea Time for the Traditionally Built" [158]
* "The Seller of Beds" [159]
Mma Ramotswe Eilidh McCreadie BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
26 September 2010 Lorca's Rural Trilogy: Yerma [160] Dolores Pauline Harris BBC Radio 3
Drama on 3
18 January 2011
22 February 2011
Rudy's Rare Records:
* "No Richie, No Cry" [161]
* "It's a Family Affair" [162]
* "Redemption Song" [163]
* "Rudy's Rare Record" [164]
* "Lights Out" [165]
* "Girls and Boys" [166]
Doreen Lucy Armitage BBC Radio 4
30 May 2011 Corrinne Come Back and Gone [167] Corrinne Claire Grove BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
7 October 2011
14 October 2011
Bad Faith:
* "Insha'Allah" [168]
* "Opiate of the Masses" [169]
Marianne Brown Mary Peate BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
3 November 2011
4 November 2011
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency:
* "A Late Van Just Glimpsed" [170]
* "The Saturday Big Tent Wedding" [171]
Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
9 October 2012
13 November 2012
Rudy's Rare Records:
* "Three's a Crowd" [172]
* "Best Local Business" [173]
* "Let It Grow" [174]
* "It's Grim up North" [175]
* "Miss Reenie Comes to Stay" [176]
* "Sound of da Police" [177]
Doreen Katie Tyrrell BBC Radio 4
20 March 2013
21 March 2013
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency:
* "A Man from a Far Place" [178]
* "The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection" [179]
Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
5 February 2014
6 February 2014
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency:
* "The Modern Husband Course" [180]
* "The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon" [181]
Mma Ramotswe Eilidh McCreadie BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
13 July 2014 Death and the King's Horseman [182] [183] Iyaloja Pauline Harris BBC Radio 3
Drama on 3
12 March 2015
13 March 2015
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency:
* "The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe" [184]
* "The Dish of Yesterday" [185]
Mma Ramotswe Eilidh McCreadie BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
4 August 2016
5 August 2016
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency:
* "This Is Not a Rubbish Boy" [186]
* "The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine" [187]
Mma Ramotswe Gaynor Macfarlane BBC Radio 4
Afternoon Play
23 June 2019 The Invisible [188] Gertrude Nadia Molinari BBC Radio 3
Drama on 3

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p British Black and Asian Shakespeare Database – University of Warwick, 2016
  2. ^ Claire Benedict talks acting to Todmorden University of the Third Age – John Bouttell, Hebden Bridge Web News, 29 April 2012
  3. ^ "Claire Benedict - Is Lenny Henry Right? – Paul Rose, British Afro Caribbean Society, 1 January 2016". Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  4. ^ Enter the Body: Women and representation on Shakespeare's stage – Carol Chillington Rutter, Routledge, 2001
  5. ^ THEATRE / 25 under 35: It's the role for actresses of that uncertain age. Today, Imogen Stubbs. Tomorrow . . ? Georgina Brown plays casting director – Georgina Brown, The Independent, 26 July 1994
  6. ^ Royal Shakespeare Company – Associate Artists
  7. ^ Theatre: All together: exit, stage left: Why did a whole cast walk out on the Young Vic? Robert Butler hears both sides of the story – Robert Butler, The Independent, 20 February 1994
  8. ^ Black Theatre Workshop, Montréal, Québec 1977-1978 Season
  9. ^ a b Black Theatre Workshop Promotional Material and Reviews
  10. ^ Black Theatre Workshop, Montréal, Québec 1978-1979 Season
  11. ^ a b c d e f g The Doctor of Honour – Programme – Cheek by Jowl
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o The Gift – Roy Williams, Methuen Drama
  13. ^ "Don Juan, Actors Touring Company". Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  14. ^ "Twelfth Night, Actors Touring Company". Archived from the original on 10 May 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  15. ^ Flash Trash – Stages of Half Moon
  16. ^ The Nine Night poster, V&A Museum
  17. ^ Ratcliffe, Michael. Review of 11 Josephine House by Alfred Fagon. Umoja Theatre Company and Black Theatre Cooperative. The Observer 24 May 1987
  18. ^ 11 Josephine Houseprogramme front page
  19. ^ 11 Josephine Houseprogramme back page
  20. ^ Foco Novo – Unfinished Histories
  21. ^ Theatre Week – The Stage London, 3 Dec 1987
  22. ^ "Towards a Philosophy of Theatre Inspired by Aristotle's Poetics and Post-Structuralist Aesthetics in Relation to Three South African Plays – Michael Picardie, Ph.D. thesis, University of South Wales, April 2014" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  23. ^ Poor Tom – Michael Billington, The Guardian, 3 February 1988
  24. ^ Review of Moon on a Rainbow Shawl – Irving Wardle, The Times, 6 May 1988
  25. ^ The Bacchae – Theatricalia
  26. ^ The Doctor of Honour – Cheek by Jowl
  27. ^ Review/Theater; Pop Star as a Nontraditional Romeo – Stephen Holden, The New York Times, 14 July 1990
  28. ^ The White Devil – Theatricalia
  29. ^ Medea – Theatricalia
  30. ^ The Odyssey – RSC Performances
  31. ^ THEATRE / Sher's seizing power: Paul Taylor applauds Terry Hands' magnificent production of Marlowe's Tamburlaine the Great – Paul Taylor, The Independent, 2 September 1992
  32. ^ THEATRE / Marlowe's Rambo triumphant: Tamburlaine - Swan – Irving Wardle, The Independent, 5 September 1992
  33. ^ Antony and Cleopatra – RSC Performances
  34. ^ The Odyssey – RSC Performances
  35. ^ To Kill A Mockingbird – Theatricalia
  36. ^ Losing the magic – John Peter, Sunday Times, 14 February 1999
  37. ^ Small storm in teacup, not many dead – John Gross, Sunday Telegraph, 14 February 1999
  38. ^ The Gift, Tricycle, London – Michael Billington, The Guardian, 29 July 2000
  39. ^ Light treatment for tangled tale of family allegiances – Zoe Green, The Independent, 24 July 2000
  40. ^ Misappliance of science – Rhoda Koenig, The Independent, 23 October 2000
  41. ^ a b Eastward Ho! – RSC Performances
  42. ^ Eastward Ho! – Theatricalia
  43. ^ The Island Princess – RSC Performances
  44. ^ The Island Princess – Theatricalia
  45. ^ The Malcontent, Swan, Stratford – Susannah Clap, The Observer, 25 August 2002
  46. ^ The Malcontent, RSC Swan, Statford-upon-Avon – Paul Taylor, The Independent, 27 August 2002
  47. ^ The Malcontent – Theatricalia
  48. ^ The Malcontent – RSC Performances
  49. ^ The Island Princess – RSC Performances
  50. ^ The Malcontent, Gielgud, London – Michael Billington, The Guardian, 9 December 2002
  51. ^ The Malcontent – Theatricalia
  52. ^ Eastward Ho! – RSC Performances
  53. ^ Eastward Ho! – Theatricalia
  54. ^ The Island Princess – RSC Performances
  55. ^ The Island Princess – Theatricalia
  56. ^ Fix Up review at Cottesloe London – Peter Hepple, The Stage, 17 December 2004
  57. ^ Fix Up, National, London – Michael Billington, The Guardian, 17 December 2004
  58. ^ Fix Up, Cottesloe, National Theatre, London – Paul Taylor, The Independent, 21 December 2004
  59. ^ Fix Up, NT Cottesloe, London – Kate Bassett, The Independent, 26 December 2004
  60. ^ The Canterbury Tales review at Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon – Peta David, The Stage, 14 December 2005
  61. ^ The Canterbury Tales, The Swan, Stratford-upon-Avon – Michael Billington, The Guardian, 10 December 2005
  62. ^ The Canterbury Tales, Swan Theatre, Stratford Upon Avon – Paul Taylor, The Independent, 14 December 2005
  63. ^ The Canterbury Tales, Swan, Stratford: What do you mean, we're only having a laugh? – Kate Bassett, The Independent, 18 December 2005
  64. ^ The Canterbury Tales, Gielgud Theatre, London – Paul Taylor, The Independent, 16 July 2006
  65. ^ Angel House review at The Playhouse Nottingham – Pat Ashworth, The Stage, 28 February 2008
  66. ^ Angel House, New Wolsey, Ipswich – Michael Billington, The Guardian, 6 February 2008
  67. ^ Angel House, New Wolsey, Ipswich – Rhoda Koenig, The Independent, 11 February 2008
  68. ^ Romeo and Juliet review at Open Air Regents Park – Susan Elkin, The Stage, 10 June 2008
  69. ^ Romeo and Juliet, Open Air Theatre Regent's Park, London: These lovers leave a lot to be desired – Rhoda Koenig, The Independent, 10 June 2008
  70. ^ Sam Marlowe, The Times, 11 June 2008
  71. ^ Caroline McGinn, Time Out London, 19 June 2008
  72. ^ Twelfth Night, Regent's Park Open Air, London – Lyn Gardner, The Guardian, 18 June 2008
  73. ^ Twelfth Night review at Open Air Theatre – Regents Park London – Lalayn Baluch, The Stage, 16 June 2008
  74. ^ Death and the King's Horseman review at Olivier National London – Susan Elkin, The Stage, 9 April 2009
  75. ^ Death and the King's Horseman, National, London – Michael Billington, The Guardian, 9 April 2009
  76. ^ Shadow of the king's death: Nobel prize-winner Wole Soyinka's poetic evocation of Yoruba tradition explodes with life – Clare Brennan, The Observer, 12 April 2009
  77. ^ Death and the King's, Horseman, National Theatre, London – Michael Coveney, The Independent, 12 April 2009
  78. ^ Hamlet – The Stage, 17 September 2014
  79. ^ This week's new theatre: Hamlet, Manchester – Mark Cook & Lyn Gardner, The Guardian, 12 September 2014
  80. ^ Hamlet review – Maxine Peake stresses character with a caustic, spry prince – Michael Billington, The Guardian, 17 September 2014
  81. ^ Maxine Peake plays Shakespeare's starring part with emotional ferocity – Paul Vallely, The Independent, 17 September 2014
  82. ^ Hamlet review – Maxine Peake is a delicately ferocious Prince of Denmark – Susannah Clapp, The Observer, 21 September 2014
  83. ^ a b c d e f g "Claire Benedict". tv.com.
  84. ^ Still Here: Just So Much A Body Can Take
  85. ^ BBC – Casualty: Taking Care
  86. ^ Resurrection – BFI
  87. ^ BBC – Holby City: The Apprentice
  88. ^ "Poppy Shakespeare – Channel 4". Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  89. ^ Poppy Shakespeare – BFI
  90. ^ Unforgiven – BFI
  91. ^ Scaredy Cat – BFI
  92. ^ Scaredy Cat – BFI
  93. ^ BBC – Waking the Dead – Conviction, Part 1
  94. ^ BBC – Waking the Dead – Conviction, Part 2
  95. ^ BBC – The One Lenny Henry
  96. ^ BBC – Secrets and Words – A Study in Time
  97. ^ BBC – Holby City – Taxi for Spence
  98. ^ BBC – Casualty – A Child's Heart: Part One
  99. ^ BBC – Casualty – A Child's Heart: Part Two
  100. ^ BBC – In the Club – Series 2, Episode 3
  101. ^ BBC – In the Club – Series 2, Episode 4
  102. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – Charley Tango
  103. ^ BBC – The Sunday Play – Death and the King's Horseman
  104. ^ BBC – Monday Play – Rainmaker
  105. ^ BBC – The Sunday Play – A Raisin in the Sun
  106. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – Out of the Woods
  107. ^ BBC – The Monday Play – United States
  108. ^ BBC – The Monday Play – Spell Number 7
  109. ^ BBC – The Monday Play – Song of a Bluefoot Man
  110. ^ BBC – Short Story – Dilemma
  111. ^ BBC – The Late Story – A Living Legend
  112. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – Those Old Metal Things
  113. ^ BBC – The Sunday Play – Document of Identity
  114. ^ BBC – Drama on 3 – Document of Identity
  115. ^ BBC World Service: New Schedules – Easy Listening, April 2000
  116. ^ BBC – The Late Story – Miss Joyce and Bobcat
  117. ^ BBC – Woman's Hour Drama – The Book of the City of Ladies
  118. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – Always the Bridesmaid
  119. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – When
  120. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The Other Side of Truth
  121. ^ BBC – Drama on 3 – Measure for Measure
  122. ^ BBC – Drama on 3 – The Winter's Tale
  123. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – I Was a Stranger
  124. ^ Radio Review – Drama – The Stage, 7 Jun 2004
  125. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Daddy
  126. ^ Radio Review – Drama – The Stage, 27 Sep 2004
  127. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Bone
  128. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Maid
  129. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Tears of the Giraffe
  130. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Chief Justice of Beauty
  131. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Confession
  132. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Kalahari Typing School for Men
  133. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Admirer
  134. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: How to Handle Men through the Application of Psychology
  135. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: House of Hope
  136. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Series 3, Part 3: The Return of Note
  137. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Series 3, Part 4: The Ceremony
  138. ^ BBC – Drama on 3 – Blood Wedding
  139. ^ BBC – Drama on 3 – Blood Wedding
  140. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: There Is No Such Thing as Free Food
  141. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Best Profession for a Blackmailer
  142. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: A Very Rude Woman
  143. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Talking Shoes
  144. ^ Radio Review, Stephanie Merritt, The Observer, 6 January 2008
  145. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Take Me Home, Country Roads
  146. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Take Me Home, Country Roads
  147. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Roots Manoeuvres
  148. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Roots Manoeuvres
  149. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Miracle at Speedy Motors
  150. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – Blame the Parents, Episode 1
  151. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – Blame the Parents, Episode 2
  152. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Ill Communication
  153. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Ill Communication
  154. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Oh Carolina
  155. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Oh Carolina
  156. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records Daddy Cool
  157. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records Daddy Cool
  158. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: Tea Time for the Traditionally Built
  159. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Seller of Beds
  160. ^ BBC – Drama on 3 – Lorca's Rural Trilogy: Yerma
  161. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – No Richie, No Cry
  162. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – It's a Family Affair
  163. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Redemption Song
  164. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Rudy's Rare Record
  165. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Lights Out
  166. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Girls and Boys
  167. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – Corrinne Come Back and Gone
  168. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – Bad Faith: Insha'Allah
  169. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – Bad Faith: Opiate of the Masses
  170. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: A Late Van Just Glimpsed
  171. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Saturday Big Tent Wedding
  172. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Three's a Crowd
  173. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Best Local Business
  174. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Let It Grow
  175. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – It's Grim up North
  176. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Miss Reenie Comes to Stay
  177. ^ BBC – Rudy's Rare Records – Sound of da Police
  178. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: A Man from a Far Place
  179. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection
  180. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Modern Husband Course
  181. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Minor Adjustment Beauty Salon
  182. ^ BBC – Drama on 3 – Death and the King's Horseman
  183. ^ BBC – Media Centre – Drama On 3: Death And The King's Horseman
  184. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe
  185. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Dish of Yesterday
  186. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: This Is Not a Rubbish Boy
  187. ^ BBC – Afternoon Play – The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: The Woman Who Walked in Sunshine
  188. ^ BBC – Drama on 3 – The Invisible
Issues to be resolved in this article
    1. ^ This list from the original author to be verified and moved into table above:
      1985 The Contact Theatre Co. Manchester. Oedipus Rex; The Messenger; Director: Anthony Clark.
      1994 The Young Vic Theatre, London. Oedipus Rex; Antigone/Jocasta; Director: Tim Supple.
      This suggests Benedict left this production during rehearsals
      1999 Centre Line Productions. Women on the Verge of H.R.T. Get away; Tassa.
      The Independent's review doesn't mention Claire
      The British Theatre Guide's review doesn't mention Claire
      2005 The Royal Shakespeare Co. Canterbury Tales;Wife of Bath/ Miller's Wife/ Pertelote.
      2006 The Royal Shakespeare Co. Canterbury Tales;Wife of Bath;/ Miller's Wife/ Pertelote; Directors' :Greg Doran / Jonathan Munby /and Rebecca Gatward.
      2010 R.S.C. Silly Masque (opening of the new R.S.T); Goddess Juno; Director: Greg Doran.
    2. ^ Inconsistency in the referenced theatre programme: this series was Sky not Channel 5.
    3. ^ This might be "Texts in Time", but Benedict is not credited for any of those on the BBC web site

External links[edit]