Brian Logan argues that Sam Mendes, who will bring classic plays to both sides of the pond with the BAM-Old Vic Bridge Project, is wrong to believe that such dramas are underserved. “Uniquely, in theatre, old is the default and new is seen as risky. The idea is perpetuated that audiences don’t want to see new plays (although they never seem to struggle with new films or new TV). But I’d say directors are more to blame – they prefer classics because they get to demonstrate their interpretative genius.”