Flatsville and The Havant Mysteries

Written by John Scadding

Tuesday 12th June and Wednesday 13th June 1984

Directed by John Scadding

An extra entertainment for a summer's evening, Bench Fringe Theatre is proud to present these two plays by Bench Theatre member John Scadding.

AuthorJohn Scadding

John Scadding

John Scadding has been an amateur actor, director and playwright with Bench Theatre during his membership (from 1972). As an actor, his first role with Bench Theatre was in John van Druten's 'I Am a Camera'. The first play produced by Bench theatre which was written by John Scadding, was Cinderella in 1975. He is currently a life-member of Bench Theatre.

PlayFlatsville

This play was written in 1984 and, set on and near the River Mississippi in the 1850s, is a "free re-working" from Twain's 'Huckleberry Finn'.

PlayThe Havant Mysteries (newly rediscovered)

'The Havant Mysteries' consisted of three separate stories which were "believed to be a genuine forgery". The following note appeared in the programme.

"In the winter of 1399 a young novice monk one Brother Peter de Quincy of Westbourne Abbey, being pressed by the priest and the people of the borough of Havant, did pledge his heart and his hand to fashion them such Mysteries as they might themselves shew forth at the next Corpus Christi, this being their desire. And having set to with a will to thus configure God's glory, he did slacken with a fever and being twice o'er purged expired suddenly causing grief and concern. Among his goods and his papers were found as many as were ready and as an act of homage and piety to Brother Peter's memory the people of that town presented these mysteries. Since which, far off time be they vanished entirely."

Translated from the journal of Sir Thomas de Mandeville, 1386 - 1472

The Bench Production

Flatsville and The Havant Mysteries poster image

These plays were staged at Havant Arts Centre, East Street Havant - Bench Theatre's home since 1977. They were produced as part of 'Bench Fringe Theatre' staged in addition to the company's usual run of main plays. Unlike previous Fringe productions a charge was made for admission.

Flatsville

JimBrian Smith
HuckPeter Holding
Webster D NoakesDerek Cusdin
T J KerwellinRoger Thurling
BoyDavid Brown
Aunt BiddyNicola Scadding
Lucy MayRobbie Cattermole
Sarah JaneJudy Salmon
Mary AnneStella Benton
CookJo German
ServantsTerry Cattermole

The Havant Mysteries

Angel and Demon
Angel
Mary Magdalene
Stella Benton
Bird and Angel
Devil and King
Angel
Robbie Cattermole
God

God
Terry Cattermole
Storyteller
Old Shepherd
Angel
Derek Cusdin
Eve
Mary
Mary
Jo German
Devil and Death
Joseph
Jesus
Pete Holding
Angel and Demon
Angel
Mary Cleophas
Jane Hope
Adan
Angel
Angel
Tony Kellaway
Fish and Angel
Devil and King
Angel
Jude Salmon
Storyteller
Young Shepherd
Angel
Nicola Scadding
Demon
Angel and King
Angel
Brian Smith

Shepherd
Angel
Roger Thurling
Cow and Angel
Angel
Angel
Jane Yeomans

Crew

Director John Scadding
Stage Manager Tony Kellaway
Lighting Jane Hart, Paul Francis
Sound Chris Hall
Setting Bill Bickers, Karen Caen
Props Nicola Scadding
Poster Jane Hart
Photographs Chris Shaw
Publicity Penny Cameron

Production Photographs

Flatsville