Eric Bentley facts for kids

Eric Russell Bentley (born September 14, 1916 – died August 5, 2020) was a talented writer and artist. He was born in Britain but became an American citizen. Eric Bentley was a theater critic, which means he wrote reviews about plays. He was also a playwright, someone who writes plays. Besides that, he was a singer, editor, and translator.

In 1998, Eric Bentley was honored by being added to the American Theater Hall of Fame. This special place recognizes people who have made a big difference in American theater. He was also part of the New York Theater Hall of Fame. This was for his many years of performing in cabaret shows.

Eric Bentley's Life Story

Eric Bentley was born in Bolton, Lancashire, England. His parents were Laura Evelyn and Fred Bentley. He went to University College, Oxford for his studies. There, he had famous teachers like J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. He earned his degree in English in 1938.

After Oxford, he went to Yale University in the United States. He earned two more degrees there. He taught history and drama at Black Mountain College for a few years.

Teaching and Theater Reviews

Starting in 1953, Eric Bentley taught at Columbia University. He also worked as a theater critic for a magazine called The New Republic. He became known for his honest and direct way of reviewing plays. Sometimes, his reviews were not very positive.

From 1960 to 1961, he was a special professor at Harvard University. This shows how respected he was in the academic world.

Expert on Bertolt Brecht

Eric Bentley was one of the top experts on Bertolt Brecht. Brecht was a famous German playwright. Bentley met him when he was young. He translated many of Brecht's plays and songs into English.

He also helped publish Brecht's work. Bentley even recorded two albums of Brecht's songs. Many of these songs had never been recorded in English before.

Protesting the Vietnam War

In 1968, Eric Bentley joined a group of writers and editors. They signed a pledge to protest the Vietnam War. They did this by refusing to pay certain taxes.

His Plays and Awards

Eric Bentley wrote his own plays too. One of his plays, The Red, White, and Black, was performed in 1971. He also translated Brecht's play Good Woman of Setzuan. This play was performed many times starting in 1975.

In 1969, he became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. This is a group that honors smart and talented people.

Eric Bentley won an Obie Award in 2006. This award was for his lifetime achievements in theater. He also received a Robert Chesley Award in 2007.

Later Life

Eric Bentley became an American citizen in 1948. He lived in New York City for many years. He lived a very long life. On September 14, 2016, he turned 100 years old.

Eric Bentley passed away at his home in New York City on August 5, 2020. He was 103 years old.

Eric Bentley's Works

Eric Bentley wrote many books about theater criticism. He also edited important collections of writings. One famous play he wrote was Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been. This play was based on real government investigations into people in show business.

Books About Theater

• 1944: A Century of Hero Worship
• 1946: The Playwright As Thinker
• 1947: Bernard Shaw
• 1948: The Modern Theatre
• 1953: In Search of Theater
• 1956: What Is Theatre?
• 1964: The Life of the Drama
• 1971: Thirty Years of Treason
• 1972: Theater of War
• 1981: Brecht Commentaries
• 1987: Thinking About The Playwright

Plays Written by Eric Bentley

• 1967: A Time To Live & A Time To Die
• 1972: Are You Now Or Have You Ever Been: The Investigations of Show-Business by the Un-American Activities Committee 1947–1958
• 1979: Lord Alfred's Lover
• 1979: Wannsee, a Tragi-Comedy
• 1985: H for Hamlet
• German Requiem
• Round One
• Round Two
• "The Sternheim Trilogy" (includes The Underpants, The Snob, & 1913)

Music Recordings

Eric Bentley recorded these albums for Folkways Records:

• 1961: "Bertolt Brecht before the Committee on Un-American Activities: An Historical Encounter"
• 1963: "A Man's A Man by Bertolt Brecht"
• 1964: "Songs of Hanns Eisler"
• 1965: "Bentley on Brecht: Songs and Poems of Bertolt Brecht"
• 1965: "Bertolt Brecht's The Exception and the Rule"
• 1968: "The Elephant Calf and Small Comments on Large Themes"
• 1968: "Bentley on Biermann: Songs and Poems of Wolf Biermann"
• 1970: "Eric Bentley Sings The Queen of 42nd Street"