Tynan’s diaries subject of show

The diaries of celebrated English theater critic Kenneth Tynan created “a big folderol” when they were published in 2001, according to his daughter, Los Angeles-based costume designer and writer Tracy Tynan.

Now the diaries, which covered some of the critic’s affairs and sadomasochistic preferences as well as his professional life, are being dramatized in a one-man show. The play is scheduled to open in September at the Royal Shakespeare Company in London with Corin Redgrave (brother of Vanessa and Lynn) as Tynan, who died here in 1980 at age 53.

Tracy Tynan, who owns the rights to the diaries, says the more sensational aspects of her father’s memories “are only a small portion” of the whole, which is “very witty and funny. He felt it was some of his best writing.” She doesn’t think he would have objected to the dramatization.

She’s designing the one costume that Redgrave will wear in “Tynan” and plans to create a ‘70s look with a flamboyant shirt and tie. Playwright Richard Nelson and Colin Chambers are doing the adaptation, and Nelson will direct.