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Bench Theatre is an award-winning amateur theatre group based at The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, Havant, UK.
For tickets to any Bench show at The Spring, call the box office on (023) 9247 2700
Our November 2025 production is Look Sharp, Ginger! by Lucy Flannery.
Ace girl reporter Pearl and faithful photographer sidekick Ginger chase scoops across wartime England, catching a jewel thief and unmasking a German spy, all by exploiting the age-old virtues of aristocratic superiority, schoolgirl honour and the sacred rules of cricket! A treat for fans of Ripping Yarns and Daisy Pulls It Off, this sparkling comedy is presented by Bench Theatre as a vintage radio production.
Performances:
Thursday 13th & Friday 14th November at 7:30pm
Wednesday 19th to Saturday 22nd November at 7:30pm
Saturday 15th & Saturday 22nd November at 2:30pm (matinees)
Ticket Prices:
£14.00, concessions £13.00
Buy one get one half price on first night
Bench members and Friends: Free
Our February 2026 production will be How To Date A Feminist, a comedy by Samantha Ellis.
Meet Steve, a self-declared feminist raised by a Greenham Common activist, who believes in explicit verbal consent and apologizes for the patriarchy before proposing. His partner Kate, however, prefers lipstick, cupcakes, and literary bad boys like Heathcliff. Sparks fly as their mismatched ideals collide in a fast-paced, dialogue-rich play that’s as thought-provoking as it is hilarious.
How to Date a Feminist is a witty, gender-flipping rom-com that challenges modern love with laughter and insight. A sharp, subversive romantic comedy that turns the genre on its head.
Performances:
Wednesday 11th to Saturday 14th February at 7:30pm
Saturday 14th February at 2:30pm (matinees)
Our April 2026 production will be Calendar Girls by Tim Firth.
Get ready for laughter, tears, and a whole lot of Yorkshire charm as Calendar Girls takes center stage! Based on the true story that inspired a global phenomenon, this uplifting play follows a group of extraordinary women who dare to bare for a cause close to their hearts. When tragedy strikes, the ladies of the local Women’s Institute rally together to raise money in the most unconventional way—by creating a nude calendar that celebrates friendship, courage, and the power of community.
With wit, warmth, and a touch of cheeky rebellion, Calendar Girls is a celebration of everyday heroes who prove that age is just a number and bravery comes in all forms. Whether you're coming for the comedy or staying for the heartfelt moments, this is one show you won’t want to miss.
Performances:
Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th April at 7:30pm
Wednesday 29th April until Saturday 2nd May at 7:30pm
Saturday 25th April & Saturday 2nd May at 2:30pm (matinees)
Our September 2025 production was Supernova9, the Bench Theatre's 9th festival of new short plays.
Whatever your taste in theatrical entertainment, this festival of one act plays had something for you. The plays were all written by local playwrights and had been selected as winning entries from our recent competition.
Organised into two separate bills, each bill contained 4 short plays. They ranged from tense and mysterious drama to farcical comedy. There were quirky characters, social realism, human drama and silliness - a wonderful mixture, more information on the play page
Our July 2025 production was Stepping Out by Richard Harris.
"Stepping Out" is a rollicking comedy about a group of eight ladies (and one man) at a beginners tap-dancing class in a run down church hall. When they learn they are to perform in a local charity showcase, the pressure is on! As they pull together and prepare for the big day, we follow the characters on a heartwarming journey that celebrates friendship, courage, and of course... dancing! Will they be ready in time?
From the writer of other comedies such as "Outside Edge", and the directors of "Dear Jack, Dear Louise" and "A Bunch of Amateurs", this was a feel-good show which left your heart glowing and your feet tapping!
Play Selection for July 2026:
The calling notice is now out for directors to come forward with production proposals for the Bench Theatre's July 2026 production. The Play Selection meeting will take place on 8th January. If you are interested in submitting contact the Artistic Panel.
Upcoming Dates:
| Nov 23rd | 'Look Sharp, Ginger!' Get-Out |
| Dec 4th | Club Night - Christmas Festive Fun |
| Jan 8th | July 2026 Play Selection |
| Feb 8th | 'How to Date a Feminist' Get-In |
| Feb 15th | 'How to Date a Feminist' Get-Out |
| Apr 19th | 'Calendar Girls' Get-In |
| May 3rd | 'Calendar Girls' Get-Out |
Next Club Nights:
Our next club night will on 4th December will be our annual festive evening for Christmas. We come back in the New Year on 8th January with play selection for our July production.
Club nights start at 7:30pm in the Harrison Room at the Spring Arts Centre (this is the room up the stairs from the foyer) and usually finish by 9.00pm. These are opportunities for Bench Members to meet up either on a particular topic or just as a social. Members, Friends of the Bench and prospective members are welcome.
Updated Production Pack:
Have you ever wondered what needs to be done to get a play on The Spring stage? Maybe you are a prospective director or part of a production team. The Bench Theatre's Production Pack, guidance on putting on a Bench play, has been updated, see Production Pack.
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