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

Our third production in 2018 is The Importance of Being Earnest written by Oscar Wilde, and produced by Mark Wakeman

Algernon wants to marry Cecily.

Jack wants to marry Gwendolyn.

Unfortunately Cecily and Gwendolyn both want to marry a man called Ernest. The only problem is it's the same man called Ernest. Or is it?

The course of true love never runs smooth, especially with the formidable Lady Bracknell on the loose who is determined that no one should marry anyone. Can the secret to this confusion really lie in an old, battered handbag?

Join Bench Theatre for this hilarious production of Oscar Wilde's most famous comedy.

Performances:

Evenings

Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th July 2018 at 7:30pm

Wednesday 18th to Saturday 21st July 2018
Matinee

Saturday 14th July 2018 2:30pm

Ticket Prices

Evening tickets: 9.50, concessions 7.50

Saturday Matinee: 8.50, concessions 6.50

Thursday 12th July 2018 - special offer: buy one, get the second half price

Forthcoming Production

Our fourth production in 2018 is Constellations written by Nick Payne, and produced by Dan Finch

One relationship. Infinite possibilities. This is a play about free will and friendship; it's about quantum multiverse theory, love and honey. Focusing on one relationship and all the varying possible outcomes across parallel universes.

Performances:

Evenings

Wednesday 19th September to Saturday 22nd September 2018 at 7:30pm

Matinee

Saturday 22nd September 2018 2:30pm

Did You See?

Our second production in 2018 was "Hedda Gabler" by Henrik Ibsen, translated by Michael Meyer directed by Archie McKeown.

Hedda Gabler tells the story of Hedda; a woman trapped in a loveless marriage, bound by society's expectations and living under her famous father's shadow. When old aquaintances arrive, Hedda finds herself caught in a perpetual downward spiral and power and influence are threatened by the events set in motion.

This exciting re-imagining of Henrik Ibsen's classic, incorporates music and physical theatre to explore the wide-ranging and still highly relevant themes.

Our first production in 2018 was Precious Little Talent written by Ella Hickson.

New York 2008. A time of optimism for Sam, a young carer, who dreams of working his way up to live his dream of becoming a doctor.

Joey, a graduate with a first class honours degree in law, fired from her job as a waitress and with no future prospects.

George, a retired academic and Joey's estranged father, is suffering from dementia.

The three collide as British cynicism meets American optimism in a cruel world.

Our final production in 2017 was Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller.

Death of a Salesman is an acknowledged classic of American 20th-century theatre

Post-war USA... a time of change and hope, and the opportunity to re-engage with the country's desire to continue its pursuit of the 'American Dream'. Willy Loman's belief and confidence is about to be seriously tested.

"I don't say he's a great man. Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He's not the finest character that ever lived. But he's a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. He's not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must finally be paid to such a person." Linda Loman

Our fourth production in 2017 was Mark My Words written by Mark Wakeman.

'Mark My Words' is an evening of 4 exciting new one-act plays.

Mark My Words is a collection of One Act Comedies from the Bench's award winning Supernova and Panto writing veteran Mark Wakeman. From romantic comedy to farce in the blink of an eye and everything in-between this event has something for everyone. From the director of 'Daisy Pulls it Off' and 'Ladies Day'.

Our third production in 2017 was Twelfth Night written by William Shakespeare.

Twelfth Night is a comic tale of disguise, of love lost and won, of mistaken identities happily resolved. Shakespeare's play is enduringly popular, and as this production is set in the 1920s, we are promised an evening of comedy served with a delicious helping of glamour.

"It looks gorgeous on David Penrose's rich but simple set and there are some stonking performances." The News

Bench News

Next Club Nights:

No clubnight in August

6^thSeptember 7:45pm
Bench AGM

4^thOctober 7:45pm
Club Night

We welcome old and new members to our club nights. If you are interested in joining the company please do come along to The Spring Arts Centre and be part of our club evening. There are no club nights in August.Please note the new start time of 7:45pm!

News about Forthcoming Plays

STOP PRESS

Entries are open for our 8th Supernova festival of one act plays, which will be performed in February 2019.

Please visit the Supernova 8 page for more information, the rules and entry criteria, and to enter.

Our next plays are:

July 2018 "The Importance of being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde, to be directed by Mark Wakeman

Auditions have been held and the cast can be seen at "The Importance of being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde,

At the recent play selection "Constellations" by Nick Payne, was chosen to be performed in September 2018, and "Seasons Greetings" by Alan Ayckbourn, was chosen to be performed in November 2018.

At the play selection held in July, the play selected for the April slot 2019 was "A Bunch of Amateurs", written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman. Congratulations to Tasmin Halford, who will direct this.

Bench Miscellaneous

Havant Borough Council have recently launched the Havant Borough Community Lottery which supports good causes locally. Bench Theatre has been accepted as one of those good causes.

This is a small lottery with the emphasis very much on community and supporting good causes. That is where you come in! We would like to invite you, your friends, family, neighbours and work colleagues to take part, have some fun and support Bench Theatre.

Please visit Havant Borough Community Lottery website. Click on buy tickets, then on 'Support a specific cause'. Search for Bench Theatre then follow the instructions.

Bench Theatre will be very grateful for your support in this exciting new venture!

The News Guide Awards for 2017

The Bench Theatre had the following nominations, and after votes by the public the acknowledged nominations were shortlisted.

The Guide Awards took place on Monday 29th January 2018 at The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth and we are thrilled to announce that Leigh Cunningham won 'Best Amateur Actress, and 'Death of a Salesman' was runner up in the 'Best Amateur Production'

Best Amateur Actress:

Leigh Cunningham in Equus (shortlisted)

Alice Corrigan in Twelfth Night (shortlisted)

Best Amateur Actor:

Jeff Bone in Equus

David Penrose in Equus

Mark Wakeman in Death of a Salesman (shortlisted)

Vincent Adams in Twelfth Night (shortlisted)

Best Amateur Production:

Sive by John B Keane

Equus by Peter Shaffer (shortlisted)

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (shortlisted)

Totton Drama Festival 2018

This year Bench was part of what is widely agreed to have been one of the most exciting Totton Drama Festivals in some years, which featured a total of 14 entries from 11 different companies.

It gave us a great opportunity to revisit two of the pieces from "Mark My Words" in front of a new audience; these were "Your Forever" and "36 Candles" by our own Mark Wakeman, who also directed both.

Although we did not bring home any silverware this year, we did well to attract a number of nominations.

Our nominees were:

Best Script: Mark Wakeman ("Your Forever" and "36 Candles")

Best Actress: Beth Evans in "Your Forever"

Best Actress: Angie McKeown in "36 Candles"

Best Actor: Dan Finch in "Your Forever"

Best Supporting Actor: Alan Welton in "36 Candles"

A gentle reminder that subscriptions have now increased, the first time in several years, and therefore we ask members to adjust their standing orders.

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 and are not transferable to family and/or friends.

An inventory of props and costumes held in the props cupboard as well as by various members is now available to look at. Please go to the members section under Storage Guidelines to find the list to download.

Have you purchased a Rugby style shirt or one of the new polo shirts with the bench logo? Contact Jacquie Penrose for a smart new look!

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