News

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch announces its inaugural season under the stewardship of Co-Creative Directors: Aisling Gallagher, Alex Thorpe and Kate Lovell.

The season of five produced productions includes an Olivier Award-winning 20th-century Classic, the first revival from an Oscar-winning writer, a new musical World Premiere, a 21st-century modern Masterpiece, and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s much-loved Christmas pantomime. 

Aisling Gallagher, Alex Thorpe and Kate Lovell said:

“From August 2024 to February 2025 we explore life-changing adventures across continents and through time. We’re bringing one of the 20th Century’s most celebrated plays back to QTH for the first time in nearly half a century: Bedroom Farce by Alan Ayckbourn. Launching the first revival from one of the UK’s most celebrated female playwrights, The Turn of the Screw adapted by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, and continuing our journey with the National Theatre and the visionary Theatre Nation Partnerships to share political dramedy Handbagged, across England. We also offer the world premiere of the new family musical, A Place For Me? by Anne Odeke. We’re proud of our award-winning pantos, and this year we are bringing the classic Cinderella to life with original music and songs.

Throughout our first 10 months in post, we have listened to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch audiences across South Essex, Outer East London and the wider region. Our theatre is at the heart of the community and the storytelling of this season responds to our locality, with productions set in Essex and Havering. We are delivering our audiences beloved classics for a great night out along with an untold story.” 

 

 

The Autumn/Winter season

edroom Farce – A Comedy by Alan Ayckbourn from 29 Aug – 21 Sep. Directed by Alex Thorpe (The Comedy of Errors, RSC), his inaugural production as QTH’s Co-Creative Director. Bedroom Farce takes audiences on a whirlwind journey through the intricacies of married life, exploring the nuances of relationships behind closed doors. Set over one evening, Ayckbourn’s Olivier Award-winning comedy offers a hilarious and insightful look at what happens when the honeymoon period is over.

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James has been reimagined by playwright Rebecca Lenkiewicz (Her Naked Skin). The Turn of the Screw plays from 3 – 26 Oct and presents a chilling ghost story set in Bly, Essex. Directed by Anna Marsland (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, National Theatre), this enthralling mix of Halloween thriller and psychological mystery will captivate audiences with its spine-tingling suspense.

A Place for Me? by Anne Odeke (Princess Essex) is a family musical that celebrates the Windrush Community and their connection with Essex, from 30 Oct – 2 Nov. HMT Windrush docked at Tilbury in 1948 and for many arriving from the Commonwealth both then and for many years after, their first touch of English soil was ‘Essex soil’. A Place for Me? tells the heartwarming story of Phyllis, a ten-year-old girl from Jamaica who embarks on a brave journey to Essex. This family musical is a tribute to all that the community brought and continues to bring to Essex. A Place for Me? will then tour community venues in Harold Hill, Orchard Village, Rainham, and Romford with Havering Changing.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s pantomime for 2024 is a music-infused adaptation of the beloved classic tale of Cinderella. Running from 21 Nov 2024 – 4 Jan 2025. QTH is delighted to welcome back the award-winning Andrew Pollard (Robin Hood for CBeebies), and Tom Self (Sleeping Beauty at QTH) to bring all the joy and fun this Christmas. Directed by Co-Creative Director, Kate Lovell (Frostiana at Blueprint 2022), bursting with glitz, glamour and magic, this beloved classic promises to be the most enchanting event of the year, as audiences join Cinderella on her journey to the royal ball.

Handbagged by Moira Buffini delves into 11 years of weekly, behind-closed-doors meetings, where the destiny of a nation is shaped. Moira Buffini’s clever, funny and charming political comedy unlocks the palace door, imagining the untold conversations of two of history’s most powerful women, Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth II. Ronald Reagan, Denis Thatcher and an ensemble of familiar faces add to the biting satire and sharp humour as the gloves come off and personalities clash. 25 years later, with both women now gone, their shadows still loom large, as this Theatre Nation Partnerships production, produced by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, explores the legacy of this divisive premiership, leaving audiences to question what they truly know about those who decide our nation’s destiny. Directed by Alex Thorpe, the production will play at QTH from 6 – 22 Feb 2025 before touring nationally. The tour forms part of the Theatre Nation Partnerships initiative – a collaborative network of arts organisations, united in their shared aim to strengthen relationships with local audiences, schools, and communities.

Today QTH introduces, Director’s Talk, an early insight into the making of the of the production. Creative Directors will interview the production’s director and creative team. The Director’s Talk are ticketed but free to attend.

 

Tickets on sale:

Exclusive 72 hour pre-sale for Queen’s Angels starts at 10am Tuesday 14 May. Tickets go on general sale at 10am Friday 17 May. Become a Queen’s Angel from just £5 per month to receive an exclusive 72-hour early booking on our most popular events, complimentary tea or filter coffee on every visit and an invitation to special season launches.

Saving with Jump the Q continues with three of the new season’s productions; Bedroom Farce, The Turn of the Screw and Handbagged. This is QTH’s commitment to ensuring everyone can see high-quality work for less than the cost of a West End ticket. Buying a Jump the Q Season Ticket offers a saving of up to £30. They can also be gifted, giving the recipient the opportunity to book the dates that suit them.