Bench Theatre

05/09/2026

Tomorrow is Get-In Day for Educating Rita. Today the set is starting to be moved in…and for a university tutors office - books, so many books! 📚

Opening night is Wednesday, tickets are selling well, but there are still some available! 🎟️

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🎭 ‘Educating Rita’ by W***y Russell
📍The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre
📆Wednesday 9th September - Saturday 12th September 2026
💻 Tickets available at https://www.thespring.co.uk/event/bench-educating-rita/
📞02392 472 700

24/08/2026

📯📯📯Calling all community drama groups from across the South!
The entry form for the 2027 Totton Festival of Drama is now up and live on our website.
Our award winning short play festival is happening on the week of the 15th March 2027 at the Hanger Farm Arts Centre in West Totton.
A first round of the All England Theatre Festival and 5 Counties Youth Festival.
Visit www.tottondrama.co.uk/2027 for more details

24/08/2026

📚 Jo Langfield as ‘Rita’ 📚

Rita is bright, determined and full of ambition.

She’s out to change her life…and might just change Franks too!

Previously brought to the screen by Michael Caine and Julie Walters, this much-loved stage play is not to be missed. As poignant and relevant today as it was then!🎭

Tickets are selling fast, get yours today! 🎟️

—————————
🎭 ‘Educating Rita’ by W***y Russell
📍The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre
📆Wednesday 9th September - Saturday 12th September 2026
💻 Tickets available at https://www.thespring.co.uk/event/bench-educating-rita/
📞02392 472 700

23/08/2026

📚 Tony Johnson as ‘Frank’ 📚

Frank, a university tutor, is disillusioned, intelligent and complicated.

In enters a new student, the vibrant and determined Rita. As their working relationship develops, Frank is suddenly challenged to question what he actually wants from life…

Our two actors are working SO hard on this play. Book your tickets now to see them in action! 📚
—————————
🎭 ‘Educating Rita’ by W***y Russell
📍The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre
📆Wednesday 9th September - Saturday 12th September 2026
💻 Tickets available at https://www.thespring.co.uk/event/bench-educating-rita/
📞02392 472 700

16/08/2026

📚Introducing the cast of Educating Rita 📚

Rita is 29 years old, with a dull job, a dull husband, no qualifications and no prospects. But there must be more, and wouldn’t an education be the answer? So she signs up for an Open University course in English Literature. There she meets Frank, her 50-something washed-up and disillusioned tutor. She is taken by what she thinks is his wisdom, he by her vivacity and enthusiasm – could she be the answer to his cynical loneliness? With its serious ideas about class and education, this is still a comedy. The growing relationship between Rita and Frank is full of wit and sparkle, as her initial naivety develops into something more sophisticated that challenges Frank to rise to the occasion. Full of warmth and humanity, it is as fresh and relevant now as when it was first performed in 1980

With three weeks to go until our Get-In, our cast and crew are working hard behind the scenes!

Get your tickets now! 🎭📚

—————————
🎭 ‘Educating Rita’ by W***y Russell
📍The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre
📆Wednesday 9th September - Saturday 12th September 2026
💻 Tickets available at https://www.thespring.co.uk/event/bench-educating-rita/
📞02392 472 700

06/08/2026

Thank you to all those who attended our pitch and vote night this evening and to our wonderful directors who all put the time and enthusiasm into their pitches for the company to enjoy and vote on ❤️🎭

We are excited to share our scheduled productions that will kick off 2027…

04/08/2026

Rehearsals are under way for our September production of ‘Educating Rita’ 📖🍎
A wonderful challenge for our small but mighty cast! 🎭
We’ll be sharing more information and rehearsal footage over the upcoming weeks, but click the link below to get your tickets now! 🎟️
—————————
🎭 ‘Educating Rita’ by W***y Russell
📍The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre
📆Wednesday 9th September - Saturday 12th September 2026
💻 Tickets available at https://www.thespring.co.uk/event/bench-educating-rita/
📞02392 472 700

24/07/2026

Thank you to those who joined us for auditions last night! 🎭

A reminder there is still the chance to audition Sunday, 12-2 at The Spring, Havant 🎭

21/07/2026

We’ve had a lot of new followers join us over the last couple of weeks, thank you! 👋🏼

Just a reminder below about what we do! 🎭

NEW MEMBER WELCOME PACK About Bench Theatre Bench Theatre is based at The Spring in Havant and was formed in 1969. We stage five shows a year, offering a rich variety of drama, comedy and thought-provoking theatre, both mod...