Illustration & Design by Scott Tyrell
The Bench
A moving tale of love, loss and football
A CaroleW Productions & Gala Durham Co-Production
Written by Jeff Brown
Directed by Olivia Millar-Ross
Touring the North East & Cumbria: Thursday 22 May to Saturday 21 June 2025
A touching and humorous tale of two young people struggling to survive against the odds. This poignant, heartwarming and sensitive love story is set against the darker side of professional football and life on the economic edge. Vicky is a single mum, overwhelmed by everyday pressures, while Adi - the local team's new signing - is struggling to find his place, on and off the pitch. Seemingly worlds apart, the pair meet by chance on a park bench and discover they have more in common than they might at first have imagined.
This is the work of former BBC TV Look North presenter Jeff Brown, an award-winning reporter who has covered news and sport in the North East for almost 40 years. The Bench is Jeff's second play, and is now embarking on a long-awaited regional tour.
Show Racism the Red Card supports the North East & Cumbria tour of The Bench.
Suitability: Approx. 2 hours including an interval
Duration: 14+
Tour Dates & Venues (More dates to be announced in 2025)
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Thurs 22 May, 1pm & 7pm - Gala Durham
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Fri 23 May, 7.30pm - Gala Durham
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Sat 24 May, 2.30pm & 7.30pm - Gala Durham
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Tues 27 May, 7.30pm - Coundon & Leeholme Community Centre
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Wed 28 May, 7.30pm - The Exchange 1856, North Shields
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Thurs 29 May, 7.30pm - Askham & Helton Community Centre, Cumbria*
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Fri 30 May, 7.30pm - Kentmere Institute, Cumbria*
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Sat 31 May 7.30pm - Hamsterley Village Hall, County Durham*
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Sun 1 Jun, 7.30pm - Great Whittington Village Hall, Northumberland*
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Wed 4 June, 7.30pm - Middlesborough Town Hall
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Thurs 5 June, 7.30pm - Arts Centre Washington
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Fri 6 Jun, 7.30pm - Alnwick Playhouse
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Sun 8 June, 3pm - St John's Hall, Meadowfield, County Durham
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Tues 10 June, 7.30pm - Queen's Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
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Wed 11 to Tues 17 June - Dates to be announced
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Wed 18 June, 1pm & 7.30pm - Bishop Auckland Town Hall
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Thurs 19 June, 7.30pm - Saltburn Community Theatre
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Fri 20 June, 7.30pm - The Customs House, South Shields
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Sat 21 June, 7.30pm - The Customs House, South Shields
2023 Reviews
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“Jeff, who has been watching and covering football for 40 years, knows the game far better than most and weaves in his knowledge – and love – of the game throughout the play.“ The Northern Echo
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"The Bench is about contrasts, love and loss, and poverty and wealth. It’s also about a society that appears to value someone playing a sport more than a struggling mother and carer.” Sunderland Echo
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“The obvious enjoyment of the full house was shown by frequent bursts of laughter and complete silence in the serious sections, topped off with a standing ovation. You do not have to be a football fan to follow or enjoy this play, which may open your eyes to some aspects of the game, apart from it being an endearing story.” The British Theatre Guide
About Jeff Brown
Jeff Brown is a familiar name and face in the North East, having been an award-winning news and sports presenter with ITV Tyne Tees and BBC Look North for nearly 30 years. After taking a playwriting course at Live Theatre, Newcastle in 2016, he has now written several plays - 'The Bench' is his second play to be professionally produced.
He is a Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, a patron of Sunderland Carers and of the Tyne and Wear branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Society, and pro-Chancellor of Sunderland University.
2023 Production Shots
