About the Show
An evening of original comic and dramatic monologues on the theme of love and heartbreak. Written by members of our ScriptHub scriptwriting workshops, performed by a professional cast.
Memories of mysterious encounters on European train journeys; the challenge of finding love in the era of AI Chatbots; adventures in dairy products; it’s all here, and much more…
Sydenham-based, not-for-profit theatre company Spontaneous Productions launches its exciting Spring Season 2026 with its 15th new writing scratch night since 2012. Presenting THIRTEEN original short monologues, written by members of its ScriptHub scriptwriting workshops, and performed by a professional cast, expect a rollercoaster of emotions as we scale the heights and plumb the depths of the human heart (broken or otherwise…).
Always entertaining, and thought-provoking, our scratch nights have become a beloved institution at the Sydenham Centre, and regularly sell out. Advance booking is therefore highly recommended. And don’t forget to arrive early and grab a drink at the Ignition Brewery’s bar downstairs!
Photos from scratch night, 600 Seconds: 7 Deadly Sins in Feb 2025, by Mark Drinkwater
The Monologues
- Love Is In the Air by DARREN BIRD
- Ethereal Love by JULIET CHALK
- Heavy Petting by DAN HARWOOD
- On Video by JULIAN KAUFMAN
- The Last Straw by MARILYN McCAUGHAN
- Mia / Mia 2.0 by STEVE MULFORD
- A Dangerous Protrusion by ANDREW PLATMAN
- Parasocial by RAMIAH SMITH
- Changing Trains / Ludwig by IDA TIDY
- Avocado Situation by EOIN TREACY
- Supermarket Flowers by ALICE WILKINSON
Book Tickets
Online: select your ticket types and quantities below and click Book Now (takes you through to Stripe Checkout).
In person: booking closes 30 minutes before start time, but tickets may still be available on the door.
Note: we have just re-coded the website so there may still be myriad formatting tweaks to be made, and the extensive back-catalogue of events is yet to be integrated. It’s on its way!
Time & Place
Date/time: 21 February 2026 – 7:30-9:30 (incl. interval)
Tickets: standard price £20, Pay a little more £25, Pay little less £15
Venue: Upstairs at the Sydenham Centre, 44a Sydenham Rd, London SE26 5QX (map below)
Suitable for adults only
The Cast
The Credits
- Produced and directed by JONATHAN KAUFMAN
- Script consultant LUCY KAUFMAN
- Costume designer and associate producer JACKIE POULETT
- Graphic design JAN WARREN
- Photography MARK DRINKWATER
The Audience Reviews
What audiences said about our last Love Bites show:
- “Really impressive writing and fantastic performances!”
- “Sydenham’s scratch nights have become an institution…always so much fun, and brilliantly acted and directed.”
- “Really enjoyed the whole evening. Very entertaining and great writing. Look forward to the next instalment/s!”
- “Wonderful evening. Will definitely come again. Please do more!”
- “Congratulations on a great night. I thought it was a really strong crop of plays all really well performed.”
- “Thanks for another great evening’s entertainment. Great acting and v high production levels, as always”
- “I enjoyed it very much. Very original and funny!”
The Sponsors
Sydenham Centre
Time & Place
Date/time: 21 February 2026 – 7:30-9:30 (incl. interval)
Tickets: standard price £20, Pay a little more £25, Pay little less £15
Venue: Upstairs at the Sydenham Centre, 44a Sydenham Rd, London SE26 5QX (map below)
Suitable for adults only
About the Show
An evening of original comic and dramatic monologues on the theme of love and heartbreak. Written by members of our ScriptHub scriptwriting workshops, performed by a professional cast.
Memories of mysterious encounters on European train journeys; the challenge of finding love in the era of AI Chatbots; adventures in dairy products; it’s all here, and much more…
Sydenham-based, not-for-profit theatre company Spontaneous Productions launches its exciting Spring Season 2026 with its 15th new writing scratch night since 2012. Presenting THIRTEEN original short monologues, written by members of its ScriptHub scriptwriting workshops, and performed by a professional cast, expect a rollercoaster of emotions as we scale the heights and plumb the depths of the human heart (broken or otherwise…).
Always entertaining, and thought-provoking, our scratch nights have become a beloved institution at the Sydenham Centre, and regularly sell out. Advance booking is therefore highly recommended. And don’t forget to arrive early and grab a drink at the Ignition Brewery’s bar downstairs!
Book Tickets
Online: select your ticket types and quantities below and click Book Now (takes you through to Stripe Checkout).
In person: booking closes 30 minutes before start time, but tickets may still be available on the door.
Note: we have just re-coded the website so there may still be myriad formatting tweaks to be made, and the extensive back-catalogue of events is yet to be integrated. It’s on its way!
Photos from scratch night, 600 Seconds: 7 Deadly Sins in Feb 2025, by Mark Drinkwater
The Monologues
- Love Is In the Air by DARREN BIRD
- Ethereal Love by JULIET CHALK
- Heavy Petting by DAN HARWOOD
- On Video by JULIAN KAUFMAN
- The Last Straw by MARILYN McCAUGHAN
- Mia / Mia 2.0 by STEVE MULFORD
- A Dangerous Protrusion by ANDREW PLATMAN
- Parasocial by RAMIAH SMITH
- Changing Trains / Ludwig by IDA TIDY
- Avocado Situation by EOIN TREACY
- Supermarket Flowers by ALICE WILKINSON
The Cast
The Credits
- Produced and directed by JONATHAN KAUFMAN
- Script consultant LUCY KAUFMAN
- Costume designer and associate producer JACKIE POULETT
- Graphic design JAN WARREN
- Photography MARK DRINKWATER
The Audience Reviews
What audiences said about our last Love Bites show:
- “Really impressive writing and fantastic performances!”
- “Sydenham’s scratch nights have become an institution…always so much fun, and brilliantly acted and directed.”
- “Really enjoyed the whole evening. Very entertaining and great writing. Look forward to the next instalment/s!”
- “Wonderful evening. Will definitely come again. Please do more!”
- “Congratulations on a great night. I thought it was a really strong crop of plays all really well performed.”
- “Thanks for another great evening’s entertainment. Great acting and v high production levels, as always”
- “I enjoyed it very much. Very original and funny!”
Sydenham Centre
The Sponsors