Margaret Graham

Benches Margaret Graham

Benches features departed characters seated on their memorial benches telling their stories and observing the amusing comings and goings of their busy seafront promenade. What would these 'Benchers' say to each other? What would they have in common? - The 1920's End of the Pier Showgirls; Mark a recently deceased young Biker; Flo a 1950's Nan with a sensitive secret; Richard Townley, a despised Conscientious Objector who met his fate in World War ll? Richard's story is the focal point of the play and includes a tribunal scene written by Harold Goodwin in 1941 which, as with his daughter Margaret's writing, is both comedic and poignant. The seafront's flesh and blood workers and visitors provide amusement and diversion - Colin, the grumpy seafront cleaner; resident psychic Madame Sofia; a riotous hen party; a lovelorn lad on his smartphone; excited families; visitors to Sofia's booth. Why is Richard's bench the only messy one? Why does Richard's now-elderly daughter keep talking to it? And what is she - and Richard - waiting for?
'Benches is an original piece by Margaret Graham adapted from semi-autobiographical musings left by her father ... The concept is wonderful ... that when we die we have the choice to remain and watch over our loved ones ... assuming a timeless pose of the prime self-state we most enjoyed while alive ... A very engaging and entertaining production'Lance Milton, NODA Area Representative 'I loved Benches ... I liked the irony of the spiritualist not sensing all the spirits right next to her booth ... it was a powerful lesson in how damaging war is, and how difficult it is for people who feel they can't take part in it for moral reasons ... A triumph for the Barn to showcase such excellent original writing'Thelma Hedley