News

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is excited to announce that Blouse & Skirt Theatre Company’s first major production, Rice & Peas, will be playing at Metal Culture, Southend-on-Sea 28 – 29 April 2022. Rice & Peas is an immersive West Indian dining experience inspired by Mia Jerome’s (Blouse & Skirt Theatre Company’s Artistic Director) family history. Grenada, 1948. Figgy and Edith enjoy a meal together the evening before Figgy boards The Empire Windrush to set sail for England, both of them blissfully unaware that they will not see each other again for two years. When Edith arrives in London, 1950, Figgy has been slaving away to prepare a special meal for them, but within her, Edith carries an explosive secret that threatens to tear apart their dreams of the Motherland. With a menu designed by Executive Chef, Jon Bentham, (previously Head Chef for Gary Rhodes, and the man Tom Kerridge credits with teaching him how to cook) Rice & Peas allows audiences to share three delicious West Indian courses with this couple over the course of their life, and in doing so discover the heartache and courage it took so many to start a new life in Great Britain. The menu includes Callaloo Soup with Spiced Creole Bread; Breadfruit & Sweet Potato Balls; Eggplant Curry with Quorn Dumplings; Crisp Roti Shell and Spiced Lime Pickle; Ground Provision Oil Down; Rice & Peas; Macaroni & Cheese; Chocolate Mousse with Grenada Spice Cake & Vanilla Ice Cream. (Menu may be subject to change). Rice & Peas is written and directed by Mia Jerome. Essex born Artistic Director, Mia Jerome, is an actress, writer, director and dramaturg. She studied Creative Writing and Television at Kingston University and trained as an actress and theatre maker at Fourth Monkey Theatre Company. In 2021, Mia created Blouse & Skirt Theatre Company to celebrate stories, songs, performers and puppets from the African-Caribbean diaspora. The production is part of Creative Estuary Co-commissions – the initiative which aims to showcase 60 miles of the North Kent and South Essex region as one of the UK’s most dynamic and creative areas in the whole of the UK – working on this occasion with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. Rice & Peas plays at Metal Culture, Chalkwell Hall, Southend-on-Sea 28 – 30 April 2022. Tickets cost £35 (+65p QNext fee). For more details and to book, call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or click here.