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
Our third production in 2016 is Woman in Mind written by Alan Ayckbourn.
Susan, a middle aged housewife, lives a drab, disappointed existence. Ignored by her husband, disowned by her son, she survives by conjuring up an imaginary family with whom she can live out her dreams. But when the strain gets too much, fantasy and reality start to collide in an increasingly absurd and comic sequence of events.
Don't miss an opportunity to see one of Ayckbourn's most acclaimed plays, a devastatingly funny and poignant tale of a woman slowly unravelling.
"... a dazzling, provocative evening... which is both hilariously inventive and demonic" - Sunday Telegraph
"... theatrical surprise and emotional intensity which knocks you for six..." - Daily Mail
Performances:
Evenings
Thursday 14th July to Saturday 16th July 2016 at 7:30pm
Wednesday 20th July to Saturday 23rd July 2016 at 7:30pm
Matinee
Saturday 16th July at 2:30pm
Ticket Prices
Evening tickets: 9.50, concessions 7.50
Saturday Matinee: 8.50, concessions 6.50
Thursday 14 July - special offer: two tickets for the price of one
Our fourth production in 2016 is Habeas Corpus written by Alan Bennett.
A well-loved farce with a heart of gold. Lust, misunderstanding and crossed wires, dropped trousers, false bosoms, the lot, spiced with the warmth and humanity of Alan Bennett's razor-sharp wit.
Performances:
Evenings
Wednesday 14th September to Saturday 17th September 2016 at 7:30pm
Matinee
Saturday 17th September at 2:30pm
Ticket Prices
Evening tickets: 9.50, concessions 7.50
Saturday Matinee: 8.50, concessions 6.50
Wednesday 17th September - special offer: two tickets for the price of one
Our second production in 2016 was The God of Carnage written by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton.
A playground altercation between 11-year-old boys brings together two sets of parents for a meeting to resolve the matter. At first, diplomatic niceties are observed but, as the meeting progresses, and the rum flows, tensions emerge and the gloves come off, leaving the couples with more than just their liberal principles in tatters.
"A streamlined anatomy of the human animal... A study in the tension between civilised surface and savage instinct, this play is itself a satisfyingly primitive entertainment."
The New York Times
WINNER OF THE 2009 TONY AWARD
Our first production in 2016 was Supernova 7 written by various authors.
Yes, Supernova is back by popular demand! This is your chance to enjoy seven brand new plays by local and national writers.
This exciting range of 'World Premieres' will be directed and performed by members of the award-winning Bench Theatre. With three or four short plays each evening in a variety of genres, there is bound to be plenty to make you laugh, cry, discuss and cheer!
On Wednesday and Friday we have 'Pricking the Sides' by Julia Warren; 'What are You' by Samantha Lierens and 'Headless Chickens' by Colin Dowland.
On Thursday and Saturday evenings we have 'Healing with Words' by John Hill; 'Your Lucky Day' by David Weir; 'Login Error' by Adam Hughes and 'Scoundrels!' by Mark Wakeman.
Our final and fifth production in 2015 was Boston Marriage written by David Mamet.
Anna and Claire have lived together for a number of years in a 'Boston Marriage' in Victorian era America with their maid Catherine.
Anna takes a male lover to get money to keep them in the manner to which they have become accustomed. But Claire throws a spanner in the works by saying that she is in love with a younger woman whom she hopes to seduce.
Eventually the duo concocts a scheme by which the seduction can happen during which new revelations turn their lives into comedic chaos.
Our fourth production in 2015 was Breaking The Code written by Hugh Whitemore.
Based on the book 'Alan Turing - the Enigma' by Andrew Hodges.
The play tells the story of Alan Turing, a brilliant mathematician, who devised the means of cracking the German Enigma Code during his time at Bletchley Park which helped win World War 11.
But he also had a controversial private life. This play is about who he was, what happened to him and why.
Our third production in 2015 was Ladies Down Under written by Amanda Whittington.
Grab your passports because Bench Theatre are taking you on an exciting trip down under. Pearl, Jan, Shelley and Linda, the four fish packers from 'Ladies Day' have decided to use the money they won at the races to treat themselves to a luxury holiday in Australia!
However, just like on their trip to Royal Ascot, things don't go quite to plan.
Join us as the original cast returns for the hilarious sequel. A comedy of four friends against the world on the opposite side of the planet! From the team that brought you 'Ladies Day' and 'Daisy pulls it off'.
Next Club Nights:
19thMay 7:45pmWe 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. Please note the new start time of 7:45pm!
On Saturday May 21st, Bench Theatre and Humdrum are presenting an evening of short plays/extracts at the New theatre Royal, starting at 7:30
Bench are performing "Login Error", recently seen at Supernova V11, and "Jitters" performed at Supernova V1.
Tickets cost 10 pounds, (concessions 9 pounds) and are available on the night or by phoning the box office on 02392 649000
Andrew Caple will be directing Woman in Mind by Alan Ayckbourn in July.
Auditions have been held, so please go to Woman in Mind for the cast list.Jacquie Penrose will be directing Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett in September. Auditions have also been held, and the cast list will be published shortly
At the last play selection, "Anne of Green Gables" was chosen for the November slot. To be directed by Mark Wakeman, this play has been adapted by Emma Reeves. Emma also adapted "Little Women", a play we put on in 2013 and which proved to be very popular.
The next round of Play Selection will be on Thursday 7 July. This is for:
February 2017 (One week, with performances between Thursday 16 and Saturday 18) and April 2017 (Two weeks, with performances between Thursday 20 and Saturday 29). Details have been sent by email to current members.
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!
Interested? Why not follow us on Twitter or become a fan of Bench on Facebook? You can also subscribe to our email newsletter by sending a message to
info-subscribe@benchtheatre.org.uk
© Bench Theatre 2011, registered charity 291935