ASHCAN THEATRE COMPANY
PRESENTS
'BENCHMARK'

The next Café Theatre production will be a double-bill of challenging, contemporary short plays. Under the umbrella title of Benchmark, the two plays are: 'The Mikado' by the highly acclaimed playwright Mark Ravenhill, and 'Wigs and Knickers', a brand new play by company member Nigel Banks.

The Mikado is set on a bench in a public Japanese-style garden (which explains the G&S reference in the title), where Alan and Peter, a middle-aged couple, are spending an apparently pleasant day out. They are clearly comfortably off, as they live in a gated community, where house prices fetch over three-quarters of a million pounds. Alan, however, is restless and wants them to move to The Dordogne, where they will be able to buy much more land for their money and presumably live in peaceful retirement. But then Peter drops a bombshell by revealing that his cancer, which was apparently in remission, has now aggressively come back. Ravenhill deals with the situation in an unsentimental, yet most poignant fashion. The role of Alan is being played by Nigel Touch, making his acting debut for the company, and Peter by Brian Ross, in his farewell performance. Nigel Banks is the director.

Wigs and Knickers is also set on a bench (thus the umbrella title Benchmark!), but this time in the waiting area of the Oncology Department in a hospital. Catherine and Mel have both arrived for appointments to see their consultant Mr Kaluwitherana. Mel has already had a mastectomy, and fears she might have to have another. Catherine, however, is waiting for the biopsy results on a lump in her breast. The differences don’t stop there. The two women come from polar-opposite social backgrounds, and have very different life stories to tell. Containing substantial doses of bawdy humour, the play presents an upbeat portrayal of courage in the face of adversity. The part of Catherine is being played by S-J Vant, making a welcome return to Ashcan ranks after an absence of several years. Mel is being played by Lisa Nightingale, last seen in Ashcan’s 2011 production of Mixed Doubles. The play is being directed by Sarah Gooch, who is making her directorial debut for Ashcan, having previously acted in several productions for us. Wigs and Knickers is the second play by company member Nigel Banks to be staged by Ashcan. His first play Vacant Possession was premiered by Ashcan in October 2011.

The two plays will be performed at The Farmhouse, Canterbury on Tuesday March 27th, Wednesday March 28th and Thursday March 29th. Places will be strictly limited, so pre-booking is essential. To reserve a table, telephone 01227-456118. Tickets cost £17.00 (which includes a 2-course meal as well as the show). Doors open at 19.00hrs. The performance will begin at 21.15hrs approx. For more information about other events at The Farmhouse, go to: www.thefarmhousecanterbury.co.uk