Our February 2026 production will be How to Date a Feminist by Samantha Ellis.

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.

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.

With Ellis’s trademark wit and warmth, the play explores gender roles, romantic expectations, and the messy contradictions of progressive dating. From costume parties to coffee shop debates, How to Date a Feminist invites audiences to laugh, squirm, and reflect on what it really means to love in a post-feminist world.

Praised as “witty, slyly provocative and downright lovely”, this play is perfect for anyone who’s ever wondered whether feminism and romance can truly coexist—or whether love is just another ideological battlefield.

Performances:

Wednesday 11th to Saturday 14th February at 7:30pm

Saturday 14th February at 2:30pm (matinee)

Ticket Prices

£14.00, concessions £12.00, Under 25s £10.00

First Night Only: Buy one ticket, second ticket half price

Bench members and Friends: Free

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 November 2025 production was 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.

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