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 "Supernova 8" festival in February 2019

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

Plays performed on Wednesday evening will be repeated on Friday evening.

Plays performed on Thursday evening will be repeated on Saturday evening.

Performances:

Wednesday 6th February until Saturday 9th February 2019

Ticket Prices

Single night: 11.00, concessions 9.00

Both nights: 20.00, concessions 16.00 (must be purchased at the same time

Bench members and Friends: free

Our 2nd production in 2019 is A Bunch of Amateurs written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, and directed by Tasmin Halford.

Jefferson Steele is a fading Hollywood star. When he finds out his agent has landed him the title role in King Lear over in the UK, he believes he will be making his big comeback performing for the RSC. So he is somewhat dismayed when he arrives in England to discover that he has in fact joined 'The Stratford Players', a small local amateur dramatics company, fighting to save their theatre from closure.

Hilarity ensues as the worlds of Hollywood and Amateur dramatics collide. As Jefferson's ego, vanity and insecurities are pushed to the limit by the over enthusiastic thespians, he is about to be taken on a journey he never could've imagined.

As part of Bench's 50th Birthday year, join us as we celebrate all things AmDram with the play described as 'A love letter to the world of Amateur Dramatics'.

Performances:

Wednesday 10th April until Saturday 13th April at 7:30pm

Our final production in 2018 was 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:

Saturday 24th November 2018 2:30pm

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.

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.