The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is elated that its regional premiere of In Basildon by David Eldridge has received wonderful praise from critics since it opened, and The Metro even listed the production as a top Theatre production pick to see this week! Fiona Mountford from the Evening Standard awarded the production with four stars and said the show was ‘Punchy and immensely enjoyable’ and claimed In Basildon was ‘an inspired piece of programming’ for the Theatre.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is delighted that its regional premiere of Romford-born playwright David Eldridge’s critically acclaimed drama In Basildon, has received a nomination in the Off West End Theatre Awards. Assessors from The Offies (Off West End Theatre Awards) have nominated Patrick Driver for Best Male Performance in a Play.

Celebrations are in full flow as the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch experienced a momentous weekend of achievements, including the launch of its glamorous new Q Bar at the opening of its regional premiere of David Eldridge’s In Basildon on Saturday (16 March) and staff limbered up to run in the Brentwood Half marathon on Sunday (17 March). The stylish new Q Bar opened on the ground floor, making it more accessible for visitors to use.

Outer Limits: Call Out At the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, it is a priority for us to encourage the development of emerging artists based in East London and Essex.  As such, we are opening up the opportunity for local artists and companies to propose small-scale productions to be performed on our Foyer stage this Autumn. We have a number of slots from late August through to January 2019 and preference will be given to shows that have already been created, already touring and/or booked for any festivals.

‘Forget friendship… this is business.’ Ishy Din’s new razor-sharp drama Approaching Empty comes to the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 2 – 6 April as part of a national UK tour. The production is produced by Kiln Theatre, Tamasha and Live Theatre, with direction from Pooja Ghai.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is set to launch its innovative Essex on Stage programme on Saturday 23 March with the regional premiere of David Eldridge’s In Basildon and play readings by three exciting Essex playwrights Sadie Hasler, Kelly Jones and Dan Murphy. Essex on Stage is an ambitious new two year programme led by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, championing positive notions of Essex, celebrating theatre made by working class people and raising aspirations for emerging artists from Essex and Outer East London.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s young company will be participating for their sixth year in the biggest youth festival in the UK and Ireland with Laura Lomas’ thought-provoking new play, Chaos. The NT Connections festival is a celebration of young people, theatre-making and the importance of access to the arts.

Staff of the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch are currently training for the Brentwood Half Marathon to raise money for its wide-reaching Learning and Participation projects. Running the Brentwood Half-Marathon on Sunday 17 March are Douglas Rintoul (Artistic Director), Tom Lowe (Relationships Officer) and Ellie Hutley (Front of House Assistant and a former Youth Theatre Member).

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch experienced a significant moment in the Theatre’s 65 year history this week, as Sir Ian McKellen graced its stage for two consecutive evenings to raise funds for the Theatre’s QNew Transformation programme. The Theatre is delighted to have raised an incredible £46,000 and sends a special thank you to everyone who shared this landmark moment with them for their generous donations.

Some of those involved in improving cultural activity in Havering are keen to find out more about what the residents of Havering get up to in their spare time locally, would ideally like to do and what would help local people to do more. There’ll be a chance for anyone to find out more and give their feedback at a series of informal drop-in sessions throughout the borough – do pop along if you can: Alternatively, you can complete a short questionnaire by clicking here.

ACS Dance Centre, also known as Anthony Clifford Studios is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year; husband and wife team and ex-professional dancers Diana and Mark started the school with just three students. They are now a registered charity as well as having their own impressive multi-studio dance premises in Albert Road, Romford.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is one of five London Theatres to be awarded £5,000 from the Theatre Trusts’ London Small Theatres Grants Scheme for meaningful projects that address viability and accessibility and improve the theatre-going experience. The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch will use this grant to complete a package of accessibility works front and back of house to better support audiences, participants and performers, as part of its QNew Transformation programme.

Developments are underway at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch as part of the Theatre’s QNew Transformation programme. The Theatre has been fundraising towards innovating the iconic building since September and is delighted the first phase of building improvements is underway.

Lucy Benjamin, who is best known for playing Lisa Fowler in EastEnders and Maggie in Mackenzie Crook’s BBC Four series Detectorists, has been cast in the regional premiere of David Eldridge’s In Basildon.  This family drama will run at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 14 – 30 March.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Derby Theatre have today announced their co-production of Richard Bean’s smash-hit comedy, One Man, Two Guvnors. Directed by Sarah Brigham, Derby Theatre’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive, this co-production of Bean’s hilarious farce will open at Derby Theatre from 7 - 28 September before a run at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 2 – 19 October.