Join us for Murder at the Allotment, an unforgettable evening of intrigue, suspense, and mystery! In a quiet village, the allotment is the place to be, bringing neighbours together in friendly rivalry. But this year, everything takes a dark turn when the Chair of the allotment society is discovered dead.
As the community reels from the shocking murder, long-buried secrets and simmering rivalries begin to surface. Who had a motive to kill? Was it a jealous competitor, a wronged friend, or someone hiding a far darker secret? With everyone under suspicion, it’s up to you to follow the clues, uncover hidden motives, and piece together the truth.
Prepare for a night filled with twists, turns, and plenty of surprises as you immerse yourself in this gripping Murder Mystery. Can you solve the case before the killer strikes again, or will the truth remain buried in the soil? Perfect for fans of mystery and suspense, Murder at the Allotment promises an evening of excitement and intrigue that will keep you guessing until the very end. Don’t miss your chance to play detective in this thrilling whodunnit!
This 90-minute practical workshop provides insight into the Director’s vision and decisions in creating some of the production’s most exciting moments. It is facilitated by Handbagged’s Associate Director, who will be joined by members of the acting company and technical staff.
From rehearsal techniques and investigation with the actors and stage management, weaving in lighting, sound and music, this session unpacks the immense amount of talented people it takes to bring this epic and satirical production to life.
There will also be a chance for you to put your questions to the company.
Feel Me asks, via your mobile phone, who and what you care about from the stories unfolding live on stage in front of you.
A stunning mixture of live performance, film, projection, dance and music, Feel Me explores the different lenses through which we are told, and connect to stories in the modern digital world.
Worlds unfold from backpacks, and tents are constructed and dismantled again, each scene and location temporary, like a transient teenager in search of safety, acceptance and a new place to call home. An interrogation of empathy, Feel Me asks what makes us ‘feel’ for another person, as we journey through landscapes and across borders, through weather storms and paperwork, changing seasons, endless queues and interviews.
Feel Me seeks real-world impact and action: as active participants within the show, audiences are gently and anonymously asked to share how they feel about the story they are witnessing at different moments and to consider who they connect with, who they feel empathy for and why. This is measured using innovative software accessed by the audience during the show in a series of collaborative ‘check-in’ moments, with results creatively shared live as part of the performance. Supported by academics from Essex University, we’re bringing together a study of the impact of the show on our audiences and their empathy levels.
Made in partnership with Theatre Centre.
A co-production with New Wolsey Theatre.
Supported by Padepokan Seni Bagong Kussudiardja (Indonesia) and The Point Eastleigh.
Schools Mobile phones are integral and used throughout the show to interact with the performers, making decisions about what is important to us from the stories that unfold on the stage. Please ensure that your students bring theirs along to witness the whole experience.
The Only Play is Essex is a showcase of new work written by playwrights based in East London and South Essex. You can be first to see their stories performed in this special rehearsed reading of short plays and excerpts with professional director and cast.
ELE Group is a member-led group of writers that meets monthly at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and participates in the theatre’s Outer Limits talent development initiative.
Featuring Senior Investigating officer Colin Sutton, who caught serial killer Levi Bellfield and ‘Night Stalker’ Delroy Grant.
Join us for a chilling, thrilling night at the theatre as Colin, who was head of a Metropolitan Police murder squad tells us the stories of how he caught some of the UK’s most evil murderers.
In this all-new show, Colin; who the ITV drama series ‘Manhunt,’ played by Martin Clunes, is based on, will talk you through his remarkable career and what it is like to chase and catch a serial killer in a unique and one-off night at the theatre – for true crime fans and theatre goers alike.
The Makings of a Murderer 2 – A Crime Thriller night at the Theatre!
When the downtrodden animals of Manor Farm overthrow their master and take over, they imagine it is the beginning of a life of freedom and equality for all. However, over time a cunning and brutal elite among them, masterminded by the pigs Napoleon and Snowball, gradually take control. Soon the other animals discover that they are not all as equal as they once thought and find themselves ensnared as one tyranny is replaced with another.
Orwell’s enduring and devastating satire about the corruption of power is brought vividly to life on stage in this compelling critically acclaimed production.
Presented by Octagon Theatre Bolton, Derby Theatre & Hull Truck Theatre. Based on the novel by George Orwell. Adapted for the stage by Ian Wooldridge. Directed by Iqbal Khan.
All children aged under 14 must be seated with an accompanying adult (18+) when watching a performance.
“Pure theatre magic”★★★★★ Manchester Theatres
“Intensely physical, visceral adaptation of Orwell’s timeless classic”★★★★ The Stage
“Dynamic performances and razor sharp commentary”★★★★ North West End
Bly, Essex. Angelic 9 year-old Flora and precocious 12 year-old Miles are the picture of innocence, rescuing injured birds and playing make-believe by the shady lake. But, as a new governess arrives at the manor to take care of them, disturbing secrets emerge from beneath the undulating waters. Questioning the truth behind the children’s stories, the governess finds it increasingly hard to tell reality from her nightmares – until she is forced to take action. Did you really see her? Or was it just a trick of the light? Henry James’ classic ghost story, chillingly reimagined by playwright Rebecca Lenkiewicz (Her Naked Skin), is an enthralling mix of Halloween thriller and psychological mystery, drawing in both believers and sceptics alike. The play has been used as inspiration for West End classic The Woman in Black and adapted for Netflix’s The Haunting of Bly Manor.
All children aged under 14 must be seated with an accompanying adult (18+) when watching a performance.
Who will you crown Supreme Giver of Absolutely None?
Stand-up storytellers slam down no-holds-barred tales to make you want to rip up the rule book and riot!
We’ve gone digging for lost and forgotten women we think you’ll love.
From Irish pirate queens and naughty pig-wife belly goddesses to sword-wielding nemeses we bring you gob-smacking myths and legends of females outgunning adversity. Wielding wit, brains, cunning, courage, righteous rage and the occasional superpower, these deliciously imperfect women show us just what we can get done when we give absolutely no f***s.
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.
In 2012, Wilko Johnson, the iconic rock star and founder of legendary Essex band Dr Feelgood, was told he had inoperable cancer and a year to live. Refusing all treatment, he decided to spend his last months living meaningfully: seeing the people, places and things which meant most to him during his remarkable life.
Then, a miracle happened….
This world premiere production of a new play – a mixture of words, rock ‘n roll, and quotes from the man himself – tells the amazing, uplifting true story of Wilko, the Canvey Island legend.
“Anyone who is a fan of Dr Feelgood or Wilko Johnson should see it.”
“10/10 – I want to see it again!”
Jonathan Maitland is a playwright and former journalist having worked for the BBC across Radio 4, BBC News and presenting and producing shows for BBC 1. Maitland’s debut stage play Dead Sheep (2015) produced at Park Theatre became the most successful production in the theatre’s history. This record was broken by his second play also staged at Park Theatre An Audience With Jimmy Saville (2015), which went on to transfer to Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Further works at Park Theatre include Deny Deny Deny (2016) and the box office record breaking The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson (2019) which went on to complete an eight-week national tour in 2020. Most recently, Maitland presented the premiere of his new play The Interview at Park Theatre and his BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Wasps in a Jam Jar in 2023.
