Grotto

Chris Vanstone

Totton: Thursday 27th March 2014

Directed by Julie Wood

The first round of the All England Theatre Festival (Western Area, Southern Division) is usually held at the Hanger Farm Arts Centre in Totton. Bench Theatre first entered the festival competition in 2006 and has been a regular contributor ever since.

AuthorChris Vanstone

Chris Vanstone

I was in the middle of writing a longer piece and the worst thing happened - I got stuck. I opened a new project and just started writing the first thing I could think of, no definite plot just a place and characters. It was an exercise in playing with pace and tension, something on the side. I was trying to get myself unstuck and ended up with a completely new play. Plays are very strange things... sometimes they form over time, others just jump out at you and scream like they have been hiding in the darkest corner of your mind, biding their time waiting for their moment.

PlaysThe Challenge

Grieves, Plum and Jonjo have had enough. Max has something they want and they have come to get it. Three against one, what could possibly go wrong?

The Bench Competition Entry

This one-act play was staged at the Hanger Farm Arts Centre, Totton as part of the first round of the All England Theatre Festival 2014 competition.

Awards at the 2014 Festival

Best Original Script:

Commended: Chris Vanstone for 'The Challenge'

Best Actor:

Commended: Simon Walton for 'The Challenge'

Cast

David Penrose
Simon Walton
Mark Wakeman
Stuart Reilly

Crew

Director Julie Wood
Stage Managers Thomas Hall