Review: Matt & Ben by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers at the Alma Tavern Theatre

Bristol-based Ghostlight Players are at the Alma Tavern Theatre this week, with Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers’ two-hander play Matt & Ben. It’s based on an imagined story about the development of Good Will Hunting.

The 1997 film was written by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck – both of whom also appeared in it. It launched their careers. The film was a critical and box office success, earning 9 Academy Award nominations in 1998 and taking home two.

Kaling and Withers’ play is set in an alternate reality. It is at times fantastical and quite surreal. Whilst the humour does work at some moments, at others, it doesn’t really land. It also lacks the creative flair that can currently be found in other contemporary theatrical untold and untrue stories.

Possibly, due to it first being staged in 2003, it just feels a little dated. Much the same way as watching an episode of Friends now. It has that same energy.

Ghostlight’s production is an amateur one. Matt & Ben is directed by Jessie Millson. Róisín Hamilton plays Matt with Sandra Tena as Ben.

The set does nail a 90’s American apartment quite well. Bottles of Prime are a little out of the timeline. However, when the premise is that a written script of Good Will Hunting falls from the sky and J. D. Salinger turns up for cake, it can be forgiven.

Performance wise, the company doesn’t quite yet have the confidence or delivery of more seasoned and experienced actors. Earlier lines are somewhat lost until the pace later finds its stride. The scenes that come with the appearance of J. D. Salinger is where the company is on form.

However, this is fringe theatre where actors and creatives cut their teeth. It’s usually done so on tiny budgets – or no budgets at all – with all shows performed in the city forming a rich and interesting tapestry of Bristol’s fringe theatre scene.

Matt & Ben by Mindy Kaling and Brenda Withers will be at the Alma Tavern Theatre until 15 August 2025

For more information or to book, visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/almatheatrecompany/1742883

Follow Ghost Light Players on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghostlight.players/

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