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 November 2024 production is Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, adapted by Jessica Swale.
Elinor and Marianne Dashwood are left penniless after their wealthy half-brother cheats them of their fortune. They are forced to leave the comforts of Norland Park and relocate to a cold Devonshire cottage. When a devilishly handsome stranger arrives at Barton Cottage with the rain-drenched Marianne in his arms, the Dashwood girls are convinced that their fortunes are changed forever. Whilst the sensible Elinor pines for quiet Edward Ferrars, impulsive Marianne loses herself in the idea of her hero on horseback, and for a girl who feasts on poetry and music, what else is there to do in Devon but dream of rescue?
Jane Austen's subtle and witty novel of secrets and suppression, lies and seduction, brilliantly portrays a world where rigid social convention clashes with the impulses of the heart.
Performances:
Thursday 14th & Friday 15th November at 7:30pm
Wednesday 20th until Saturday 23rd November at 7:30pm
Saturday 16th & Saturday 23rd November at 2:30pm (matinees)
Ticket Prices
£13.00, concessions £11.00
Thursday 14th November. Buy one get one half price (on cheapest ticket)
Bench members and Friends: Free
Our February 2025 production will be The Possibilities by Howard Barker.
An Emperor on the edge of madness; a beautiful assassin; a woman trapped in a dystopian interrogation; a family of weavers sheltering from war; and the guardian of the one remaining library. What do these disparate characters have in common? Each must navigate a treacherous path of survival, while clinging to what humanity they have left. Howard Barker offers us ten short plays, each with their own story to tell. Come. Be amazed. Be disturbed.
This will be the second Howard Barker play to be performed by the Bench, the first being 13 Objects in 2012.
Performances:
Wednesday 19th February to Saturday 22nd February 2025 at 7:30pm
Saturday 22nd November 2025 at 2:30pm (matinee)
Our April 2025 production will be As You Like It by William Shakespeare.
What better play for spring at The Spring than Shakespeare’s well-loved and accessible comedy 'As You Like It'. Join Rosalind and Celia as they escape from the back-stabbing world of the court and flee to the Forest of Arden. This is a magical and timeless world inhabited by humble shepherds, exiled courtiers, melancholy philosophers, poisonous snakes, a hungry lion – and, of course, Love!
Rosalind disguises herself as a boy, Ganymede, to avoid discovery, and with her loyal cousin Celia, sets off on a challenging expedition into the unknown. In this new world she attracts the admiring eye of Phebe and flirts with Orlando (also fleeing the court and his murderous brother) who doesn’t, of course, recognize her without her frock! As winter’s storms give way to spring, others too find love in a series of lively if unusual romantic encounters.
This will be the second time the Bench has performed this play, the first being the production of As You Like It in 1977.
Performances:
Thursday 24th & Friday 25th April at 7:30pm
Wednesday 30th April until Saturday 3rd May at 7:30pm
Saturday 26th April & Saturday 23rd May at 2:30pm (matinees)
Our September 2024 production was Dear Jack, Dear Louise by Ken Ludwig
Award winning playwright Ken Ludwig's "Dear Jack, Dear Louise" is a poignant and engaging love story, filled with comedy and an uplifting sense of hope. Based on Ludwig's parents and the true story of how they fell in love during World War Two via letters, this play follows two strangers slowly falling for one another over a two year period.
Their letters become a conversation, and as we slowly learn more and more about these lovebirds, we begin to understand what an amazing accomplishment their love was. Not only to fall for each other only through the power of words, but also during one of history's and harshest times. It is impossible not to feel deeply involved in Jack and Louise's journey, and on this, the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, we invite you to join Bench Theatre's production of this wonderful show.
A promotional short can be found on Bench Theatre's Facebook page, see Dear Jack, Dear Louise' promo.
Our July 2024 production was Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw
Eliza Doolittle, a young lady from London’s impoverished streets, has aspirations. After an accidental encounter with Colonel Pickering and Professor Henry Higgins, Eliza approaches Higgins for speech lessons to improve her lot in life. Pickering wagers that Eliza cannot be presented as a lady amongst the upper echelons of London society, and during this life-changing adventure, Eliza learns difficult and often embarrassing lessons that cause her to question Higgins’ preconceived assumptions about gender roles and social class. Eliza is brilliantly irrepressible as she defies the stereotype that Higgins attempts to fit her into, leading to an explosively humourous, caustic, and gentle satire.
Bench Theatre invited you to enjoy Shaw’s wonderful sense of character, his keen ear for dialogue and his sparkling wit as Eliza attempts to shed her humble beginnings. And for all the play’s rumbustious energy, there is a perhaps unexpected poignancy as this very funny play approaches its conclusion.
Bench's February Production Cast:
Auditions for The Possibilities are complete and a cast announced, see the play page. With a cast of 17, a mix of current and new members, this will be one of our largest productions in a while.
Upcoming Dates:
Nov 7th | Club Night |
Nov 10th | 'Sense & Sensibility' Get-In |
Nov 24th | 'Sense & Sensibility' Get-Out |
Dec 5th | Club Night |
Jan 9th | Play Selection - July 2025 |
TBD | Auditions - 'As You Like It' |
Feb 6th | Club Night |
Feb 16th | 'The Possibilities' Get-In |
Feb 23rd | 'The Possibilities' Get-Out |
Mar 6th | Club Night |
Apr 3rd | Club Night |
Apr 20th | 'As You Like It' Get-In |
May 4th | 'As You Like It' Get-Out |
May 9th | Club Night |
Next Club Night:
Club nights start at 7:45pm in the Harrison Room at the Spring Arts Centre (this is the room up the stairs from the foyer). These are opportunities for Bench Members to meet up either on a particular topic or just as a social. Members, Friends of the Bench and prospective members are welcome.
Our next club night will be on the 7th November. This club night will be looking ahead to our February production, The Possibilities by Howard Barker.
Play Selection for July 2025:
A Play Selection pitch and vote night Bench Theatre's July 2025 production has been set for Thursday 9th January. The Bench Theatre are looking for prospective directors to pitch a play for this 2 weeks slot. More details to be e-mailed to members by the Artistic Panel.
Updated Production Pack:
Have you ever wondered what needs to be done to get a play on The Spring stage? Maybe you are a prospective director or part of a production team. The Bench Theatre's Production Pack, guidance on putting on a Bench play, has been updated, see Production Pack - September 2024
Next Auditions:
The Bench Theatre's next auditions are to be for As You Like It by William Shakespeare. No dates have been set yet so watch this space.
Bench YouTube Channel:
The Bench Theatre has a YouTube Channel from which you can stream our trailers and other videos, check it out at Bench Theatre YouTube Channel.
Havant Borough Community Lottery
Havant Borough Council run 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.
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