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 final production in 2018 is Seasons Greetings written by Alan Ayckbourn, and directed by Marion Ward

It is Christmas Eve in the home of Neville and Belinda Bunker. Belinda's sister Rachel is waiting for her friend, novelist Clive, to arrive for a few days. Heavily pregnant Pattie and her husband Eddie are at loggerheads while in the kitchen Auntie Phyllis's efforts to prepare the dinner are hampered by her drunken and clumsy antics. Her doctor husband Bernard's seasonal highlight is his puppet theatre entertainment and retired security guard Uncle Harvey has a rather unseasonal stash of weapons with him……

Mayhem is quickly unleashed leading to a romantic tryst, an unforgettable puppet show and maybe even a murder …… .Come and watch this comedy festive classic unravel !!!

Performances:

Evenings

Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th November 2018 at 7:30pm

Wednesday 28th November to Saturday 1st December at 7:30pm

Matinee

Saturday 24th November 2018 2:30pm

Ticket Prices

Evening tickets: 10.00, concessions 8.00

Saturday Matinee: 9.00, concessions 7.00

Thursday 22nd November 2018 - special offer: buy one, get the second half price! (half price applies to the cheapest ticket purchased)

Forthcoming Production

Supernova is our festival of new writing and since the first Supernova in September 2000, we have performed 68 new plays by authors from around the UK.

We will be holding our 8th Supernova festival in February 2019

Several brand new works will be performed twice over the space of a week, each directed and performed by our award-winning membership.

Performances:

Wednesday 6th February until Saturday 9th February 2019

Did You See?

Our fourth production in 2018 was Constellations written by Nick Payne, and directed by Dan Finch

Roland and Marianne meet at a barbecue. They talk, but he's married.

Roland and Marianne meet at a barbecue. They talk, but he's just out of a relationship.

Roland and Marianne meet at a barbecue. They talk. They hit it off.

This is a play about free will and relationships. Focusing on one couple's connection and the varying possible outcomes of their lives across parallel universes, it encompasses quantum multiverse theory, love, dancing and honey.

Performances:

Evenings

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

Matinee

Saturday 22nd September 2018 2:30pm

Our third production in 2018 was The Importance of Being Earnest written by Oscar Wilde, and directed 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.

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.

Bench News

Next Club Nights:

1^stNovember 7:45pm
Social Evening for those not going into the theatre. Meet at the Spring before going to a local venue!

4^thNovember 6:00pm
Bonfire at usual venue

15^thNovember 7:45pm
Club Night

6^stDecember 7:45pm
Club Night. Play Selection

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.

News about Forthcoming Plays

STOP PRESS

Entries are now closed 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.

Our next plays are:

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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