Britten's Hidden World Revealed
A documentary film explores Benjamin Britten's music and his affinity with children, featuring interviews and specially-filmed performances. On Thursday, 19 November 2026, Depot in Lewes will screen this insightful film.

Dir: John Bridcut
Cast: Benjamin Britten, David Hemmings, Wulff Scherchen, Peter Pears
90 mins · 2004 · United Kingdom
John Bridcut's documentary, Britten's Children, will be screened at Depot in Lewes on Thursday, 19 November 2026, offering a unique glimpse into the composer's life and work.
• The film features the last interview given by actor David Hemmings, discussing his childhood role in The Turn of the Screw. • Specially-filmed performances by various musicians and choirs, including the choristers of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and the Britten-Pears Orchestra, showcase Britten's music. • The documentary sheds light on Britten's own inner child through interviews with his former companions and muses, including Wulff Scherchen, who describes his passionate relationship with the composer.
The documentary has won the Royal Philharmonic Society Creative Communication Award 2005, a testament to its thoughtful exploration of Britten's life and music. Tickets are with the button beside the article. The film is a poignant exploration of Britten's affinity with children and its influence on his work, making for a captivating watch at Depot in Lewes on 19 November 2026.
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