A Theatre Nation Partnerships production, produced by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. Moira Buffini’s clever and fiercely funny comedy is a fly-on-the-wall look at what might have happened when Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher came face-to-face in the privacy of the palace.
Over the course of a decade did the Monarch and the Iron Lady ever find a common ground, or did their stiff upper lips reign supreme?
This highly entertaining Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Theatre Nation Partnerships production explores the intense relationship between two of history’s most revered female leaders, and the legacy they each left behind.
⭐⭐⭐⭐“Equally escapist and deeply grounded in reality”LondonTheatre1
⭐⭐⭐⭐“Hilariously entertaining”Southend Theatre Scene
⭐⭐⭐⭐“Handbagged is a great night at the theatre”ArtsHub
Keen to add to your theatre fix? Join us at one of the following FREE events!
Director’s Talk – Attend our Director’s Talk on Tue 18 Feb to get an insight into the making of Handbagged. Book your seat at our Book your space here.
Page to Stage – This 90-minute practical workshop provides insight into the Director’s vision and decisions in creating some of the production’s most exciting moments. Book your space here.
Theatre Lab – An inspiring and exciting afternoon designed for those looking to network, develop their craft, and gain insight into the theatre industry. Theatre Lab offers exclusive access to a Page to Stage workshop, alongside Mini Matinees showcasing new writing by emerging creatives, and a special Creative Talk.Book your space here.
See the full tour dates here: Handbagged tour details
All children aged under 14 must be seated with an accompanying adult (18+) when watching a performance.
Bursting with glitz and glamour, it’ll be the most magical event of the year!
Cinderella dreams of a glamorous life far removed from the everyday grind of primping and preening her vain sisters, and an invitation to the Prince’s royal ball is just the ticket! But the Ugly Sisters have other plans for Cinders, confiscating her ticket to the party of the decade… Fear not, for her Fairy Godmother arrives in the nick of time, ready to weave her magic and transform Cinderella’s fortunes! But can she sashay away from the sensational soirée before the clock strikes midnight and her riches turn back to rags once more…?
This much-loved traditional pantomime reunites the team behind last year’s smash-hit production Dick Whittington. Written by Andrew Pollard, with original music and lyrics by Tom Self, and directed by Kate Lovell (Co-Creative Director at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch).
All children aged under 14 must be seated with an accompanying adult (18+) when watching a performance.
If you identify as disabled or if you have any access seating requirements* we can offer you a ticket at a discounted price**. Please let the box office assistant know when booking, or if you prefer to book online then select the Access price type.
*There are 20 seats in Row E which are reserved for customers requiring step free access. These seats are only available by contacting our Box Office.
**Some exceptions may apply – please check when booking.
For more information please contact the Box Office on 01708 443333 or email boxoffice@queens-theatre.co.uk
The 1947 partition of India into West Pakistan and East Pakistan – now Bangladesh – saw millions uprooted and resulted in unspeakable violence. It would also shape modern Britain. Witnesses to this brutal moment in history live among us, yet the stories of that time remain shrouded in silence.
SILENCE is a new play focused on communal storytelling – presenting a shared history inspired by the remarkable personal testimonies of people who lived through the last days of the British Raj. Commissioned to mark the 75th anniversary of partition, SILENCE is adapted from Kavita Puri’s acclaimed book Partition Voices: Untold British Stories and was originally co-produced with the Donmar Warehouse.
The production examined the legacy of this brutal moment in history. Abdul Shayek, former Artistic Director of Tara Theatre, directed the original production and had developed this version for touring at the time of his death in August 2023. Iqbal Khan, Artistic Director of the 2022 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony, and a friend and colleague of Abdul’s, will step in to direct the touring version.
SILENCE is adapted from the testimonies and stories of people who lived through Partition. It is based on Kavita Puri’s acclaimed book Partition Voices: Untold British Stories and written by Sonali Bhattacharyya, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Ishy Din and Alexandra Wood.
Original production directed and developed for tour by Abdul Shayek Directed by Iqbal Khan.
From an original co-production by Tara Theatre and Donmar Warehouse In association with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch.
