Announcing the winner of our Design A Dame competition
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is delighted to announce that Farzin Shahid is the winner of our Design a Dame competition, following an overwhelming response from young creatives across the region. Farzin is 14 years old and entered the competition through a school workshop.
“I am thrilled to have won this creative competition, designing outfits has always been of great interest to me. Seeing my vision come to reality gives me new hope” – Farzin Shahid
Farzin will attend design meetings with the show’s professional designer, see her ideas developed into a finished costume and watch the costume debut on stage in Jack and the Beanstalk this November.
Farzin’s vibrant and imaginative design was selected from over one hundred entries submitted by children and young people aged 18 and under. Entrants were invited to design a costume for Dame Trott, one of the larger-than-life characters in this year’s festive production of Jack and the Beanstalk, running from 19 Nov 2025 to 3 Jan 2026.
“We were astounded by the incredible calibre of entries we received for the Design a Dame competition,” said Gemma Compton, Designer for Jack and the Beanstalk.
“The creativity, imagination, and attention to detail shown by these young designers were truly inspiring – there are definitely some future costume designers out there! It was a tough decision to choose just one winner, but the winning design stood out for its clear understanding of costume and panto, and for the brilliant way it captured the spirit of Romford Market.”
Director for Jack and the Beanstalk, Kate Lovell added:
“I could instantly picture our Dame in Farzin’s costume design. She has captured the essence of Romford Market along with the fun and cheekiness of panto in her skillful and stand-out design. I can’t wait to see Dame Trott in Farzin’s frock!”
Jack and the Beanstalk runs at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 19 Nov 2025 to 3 Jan 2026. The traditional actor-muso production is specifically written and designed for the theatre and will feature an exciting mix of new and returning cast and creatives.
