17 Oct 2016
Agatha Christie’s gripping thriller is the perfect autumn finale
As the evenings draw in, what could be better than settling back into the darkness and revelling in a gripping thriller? Well, the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has just the ticket with Agatha Christie’s Partners in Crime.
Running from 28 October – 19 November, Partners in Crime is presented by the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Eleanor Lloyd Productions, in association with The Watermill Theatre. It stars Christie’s much-loved detective duo, Tommy and Tuppence.
1920s London. Home from the War, flat-broke and unemployed, our twenty-something heroes Tommy and Tuppence embark on a daring business scheme: ‘The Young Adventurers Limited’… willing to go anywhere, willing to do anything. No unreasonable offer refused! But their first assignment plunges them into more danger than they ever imagined and they quickly find themselves sucked into a perilous world of political intrigue, criminal conspiracy, murder and mayhem!
Partners in Crime is an inventive adaptation by Sarah Punshon and Johann Hari of Christie’s The Secret Adversary, originally produced by The Watermill Theatre in February 2015. Loyal, pragmatic Tommy is the perfect foil for pretty, plucky Tuppence, a whirlwind of infectious exuberance. Audiences will love following the fortunes of this adorable intrepid twosome, who are well-known recurring characters in Christie’s novels and short stories. The Queen’s Theatre’s unmissable autumn finale is shot through with fast-paced action, cracking comedy, live music, a dash of romance and even some marvellous magic tricks!
Playing Tommy and Tuppence are Richard Holt (Swallows and Amazons at the National, The Light Princess at the Tobacco Factory) and Naomi Sheldon (Royal Shakespeare Company, Red Dwarf XI, The Hour). They are joined by: Rebecca Bainbridge, Philip Battley, Isla Carter, Inga Davis-Rutter, Nigel Lister and Morgan Philpott. Credits include numerous West End productions, international tours as well as work with the country’s leading venues and production companies such as Shakespeare’s Globe, the Old Vic, The Vaults Waterloo, New Wolsey Ipswich, the Watermill, the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Polka and the Orange Tree. Film and television credits include Downton Abbey and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Director John Nicholson is a founding member of the award-winning theatre company, Peepolykus. John has taken shows such as Spyski and The Hound of the Baskervilles on national and international tours and directed Nina Conti’s Dolly Mixtures. He has written extensively for BBC Radio and also has numerous acting credits across the BBC and ITV.
Design is by Tom Rogers, music by Alex Silverman, musical direction by Inga Davis-Rutter, lighting design by Howard Hudson, Rachel Bowen is Associate Lighting Designer, sound design is by Adrienne Quartly, choreography by Nancy Kettle, John Bulleid is magic consultant, fight direction is by Bret Yount and casting direction by Matthew Dewsbury.
Tickets are from £12.50 - £29. Call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or book online.