The Bench

The Bench is well described as a play in a day on one park bench. There are eight stories, reflecting the comic and dramatic complexities of modern life.

First of all we are introduced to  Richard Betts and Rebecca Wilson, discussing the end of their relationship, and the reasons for it. After much discussion about the pros and cons of the break up, they decide, perhaps they are better of together, and the break up, becomes the make up .The sketch very well performed by both characters.

Jacqui Walker gave an excellent single handed performance, relating the tale of her first born, and the sadness of her friend who was unable to conceive. She never faltered in her explanation, very well played Jacqui.

We were then treated to the trials and tribulations of slimmer Jill, and her visit to Slimming Planet. Passerby Will, waiting for his blind date is caught up in her slimming revelations, and is anything but impressed. This was a very comical sketch, well played by director Jill Roper, and my erstwhile G&S colleague Will Tillotson.

The final offering before the break introduced us to Len and Andy, waiting for the ice cream van, whilst relating stories of their schooldays and their youth. Another good comical performance from both Len Wainwright and Andy Greenwood.

After the break we were introduced to the Care Home, Rebecca Wilson performing very well for the second time, as a care home employee, and Sheila King, playing the know everything, know nothing character. This was another funny sketch and the interplay between the two characters was excellent.

Piece to Camera introduced us to Jane Sharkey as a BBC correspondent, filming a news article, and up to her thirteenth take in the process. A rather strange character Dan Roach interrupts her takes, and is quite objectionable about her seat on the bench. Again both characters very well played.

The skateboarder introduced us to Pam Fleetwood and Alison Shutt, who are almost knocked over by a clown on a skateboard. This was another comical conversation about the pros and cons of skateboarding, rollerboarding, skiing, and other dangerous pastimes. Once again from both fine performances .

The final sketch finished the play as it started. We were again introduced to Bag Lady, Gwen Irving, who had been sleeping on the bench while the audience took their seat at the start. She explained why she became a bag lady, and how she enjoyed her independence, and didn’t have to depend on anyone for anything. This was a very convincing performance from Gwen.

The evening was very enjoyable , and one sketch moved from one to the othervery swiftly and easily. Very well done to everyone concerned for a lovely, if unusual piece of theatre

 

 

 

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