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

Current Production

In July, we are proud to present our second play by Yasmina Reza
Life x 3.

Upwardly mobile, but insecure, Henry and his less needy wife, Sonia, invite the confident and self-satisfied Hubert and Inez Finidori to dinner hoping to improve Henry's chances of advancement. The Finidoris, however, arrive 24 hours early. As in life, there is always more than one possible outcome.

Yasmina Reza's scalpel sharp script and ear for the ridiculous make this play hugely comic whilst tinged with darkness.

Performances: Thursday 19th - Saturday 28th July 2012, 7:30pm

Forthcoming Production

In September Bench Theatre are offering 13 Objects written by Howard Barker.

The 13 playlets that form the complete 13 Objects take a variety of forms: monologues, duologues and scenes with 3 or 4 characters interacting. They also cover a variety of themes and issues - insecurity, grief, beauty, love, loss, faith, sex, poetry, art, perception - pretty much all of life's rich tapestry is here.

Performances: Tuesday 18th - 22nd September 2012, 7:30pm

Did You See?

The second play in our 2012 season was
Cymbeline
by William Shakespeare.

Britain is still in the dark ages, subject to the rules and financial levy imposed by mighty bureaucratic Europe. Should it break out and demand independence? Should this be by peaceful diplomacy or through war? This is just one of many themes in Shakespeare's play, his most popular in the eighteenth century, today almost unknown.

Add to that, two narrators, a feisty heroine who dresses as a boy, lost princes, a wicked stepmother, the handsome hero and the idiotic villain AND Act Two being set in Milford Haven (yes, Milford Haven!) and you have a dark fairy tale of love, lust, intrigue, trust, fidelity and betrayal.

"The show's a must-see because who knows when you'll get another chance?"The News

Bench News

Next Club Nights:

17^thMay, 8pm
Parish notes followed by an evening on Yasmina Reza

7^thJune, 8pm
Social Get together

21^stJune, 8pm
Parish notes followed by Play Pitching

5^thJuly, 8pm
Play Selection followed by a panto evening!

Our second play in our 2012 season was RSC Open Stage Initiative Cymbeline (directed by Di Wallsgrove).

For our next production in July we have Life x 3 by Yasmina Reza (director Pete Woodward).

September sees 13 Objects by Howard Barker and directed by Damon Wakelin.

Auditions were held on Sunday 22nd April and Monday 23rd April, and the cast can be found on 13 Objects

We are excited to announce that our 2012 Christmas Production will be Aladdin, written by Mark Wakeman, and to be directed by Pete Woodward. More details to follow!

Drunken Encounter and Girl in the Corner were both recently performed in Totton as part of the All England Theatre Festival. Congratulations to all involved, and especially Mark Wakeman who was awarded the Herald Cup for Best Original Script (Girl in the Corner). Other nominees were: Mark Wakeman, Best Adult Actor; Beth Evans and Julie Wood, Best Female Actress; Claire Lyne, Best Supporting Adult Player. Please go to Bench Theatre Collaborative Productions for more details.

'Love's Labour' by Jacquie Penrose will not be performed from 7th to 9th June 2012 as previously advertised, due to issues with casting. Hopefully, there will be an opportunity in the future.

Although members voted at clubnight for an extract from 'Love's Labour' to be performed at The Nuffield Theatre on June 13th as part of the Open Stages event, this will now be replaced by Cymbeline (directed by Di Wallsgrove).

Members are gently reminded that membership cards must be offered at The Spring box office when claiming free member ticket(s). These tickets are for the named member only & are not transferable to family and/or friends.

AETF - Congratulations to Mark Wakeman for winning the 'Best Actor' award, playing Ollie Hardy in Lonesome Pine, in April 2011.

The News Guide Awards November 2011: Congratulations to Alice Corrigan, for winning 'Best Amateur Actress' in Daisy Pulls It Off

The Daily Echo Curtain Call Awards 2011 Nominations Congratulations to Volpone for the three Bench nominations: Frankie Huin-Wah as Mosca, Terry Smyth as Volpone and Jeff Bone as director.

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