Author: Grace Coppin

Full casting has been announced for Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s upcoming production of Sharon ‘n’ Barry do ‘Romeo & Juliet’, a new everyday comedy, on Zoom from 25 February – 6 March 2021.

The cast is: East London actor David Nellist (BBC One’s Sherlock and Macbeth, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch) and Southend-on-Sea actor Joanne Seymour (BBC One’s Eastenders and The Killing of Sister George, Palace Theatre Southend). Completing the cast are Jessica Rothon and Jack Scannell-Wood, from Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s QYouth programme, alternating as Sharon and Barry’s niece/nephew. 

Sharon and Barry are done with baking, Joe Wicks & Netflix and have stumbled upon Sharon’s old battered school text of Romeo & Juliet in their loft. After a bit of a read and a watch of the classic, the couple’s been inspired to have a crack at the play themselves… 

They’ve hacked out the boring bits, worked out playing all the parts, and the props have just arrived from Amazon! 

So, join them live from their living room for this inadvertently hilarious, but surprisingly touching, take on Shakespeare’s most romantic story.

The play will be performed live online via a private link and is directed by Douglas Rintoul, the Theatre’s Artistic Director (Christmas Allsorts; Misfits; As You Like It; In Basildon; and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch).

This new work builds on a year of digital innovation at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in 2020, with the international streaming of co-production The Hired Man, live streamed community response piece Here I Am and world premiere of award nominated digital theatre piece Misfits.

Sharon ‘n’ Barry do ‘Romeo & Juliet‘ will be performed on Zoom from 25 February – 6 March 2021. Tickets cost £8 plus 65p QRenew Fee, suitable for all ages 7+. For more information and to purchase tickets click here.

The magic of live theatre direct to your home… but with comfy sofa seating, shorter queues for the loo and cheaper snacks.

Join The Changemakers Network!

Our Young Changemakers are excited to launch The Changemakers Network to connect and champion creative young people.

Sign up and be first to receive the upcoming Young Changemakers Podcast, seed commissions for young artists and invitations to live events later in 2021. Joining is free and easy, click here!

The network is open to anyone who wants to get involved, with most opportunities focussed at 18-25 year olds from across Outer East London and Essex.

With thanks to the Paul Hamlyn Foundation for their support of our Learning and Participation programme.

 

 

Let’s Make Havering Happy

We want to know your creative ideas and projects that will help spread some joy and put a smile on someone’s face who may be experiencing loneliness during this lockdown.

Havering Changing is looking to work with artists, craft makers and community groups to spread some creative happiness at this time and are welcoming applications as part of an open call.

Ideas should inspire people to engage in creative activities, make them feel valued, and lift their mood to help their mental health and general wellbeing.

The projects should all be activities that people can do at home and do not require an internet connection or mobile phone to connect to.

Even if you do not have a creative idea, but want to help or know a person or group who would benefit from some creativity at this time, please get in touch.

Find out more here.

 

 

Romford Winter Garden

From Monday 1 February, Havering Changing launches their Winter Garden Project, in partnership with artist Carlos Cortes.

The Winter Garden will be bringing to the streets and houses of Romford a large kaleidoscope of colours and natural forms. Local people can get involved and use their creative flair to make colourful flowers, plants, and display them in the windows of their homes creating a collective Winter Garden.

Winter Garden workshops will be delivered through online tutorials and creative packs that residents can request or pick up in selected shops in Romford, Rush Green and Collier Row when doing their essential shopping.

Find out more here

 

 

Coven celebrates using our Artist Space 

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch Associate Artist, Rebecca Brewer, talks about being back in the Theatre:

‘We feel really lucky to be able to come into the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch to do some work on COVEN next week.

A lot of planning has gone in to the rehearsal to make sure that we are COVID-19 secure; we have people zoom-ing in for rehearsals as well as a handful of people coming into the space, as well as lots of masks, temperature checks and sanitiser!

We’ll be exploring the music and script further, but also exploring some shadow puppetry, movement and even some moments of magic! We hope that we will be able to share COVEN again with you as soon as time allows, but in the meantime, take care and you can find us on Twitter @COVENtheshow’

If you’re a local performer or performance-maker and would like to use the Artist Space, please email douglas@queens-theatre.co.uk

Find out more here.

 

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is thrilled to announce the world premiere of a new everyday comedy, Sharon ‘n’ Barry do ‘Romeo & Juliet’, on Zoom from 25 February – 6 March 2021. 

Sharon and Barry are done with baking, Joe Wicks & Netflix and have stumbled upon Sharon’s old battered school text of Romeo & Juliet in their loft. After a bit of a read and a watch of the classic, the couple’s been inspired to have a crack at the play themselves…

They’ve hacked out the boring bits, worked out playing all the parts, and the props have just arrived from Amazon!

So, join them live from their living room for this inadvertently hilarious, but surprisingly touching, take on Shakespeare’s most romantic story.

The play will be performed live in real time online via a private link and is directed by Douglas Rintoul, the Theatre’s Artistic Director (Christmas Allsorts; Misfits; As You Like It; In Basildon; and Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch).

This new work builds on a year of digital innovation at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in 2020, with the international streaming of co-production The Hired Man, live streamed community response piece Here I Am and world premiere of award nominated digital theatre piece Misfits.

Rintoul says ‘Once again we’re heading into rehearsals during a lockdown to bring audiences some live theatre. We were desperate to make something fun and joyous, so I am chuffed that today we’re announcing details of our new comedy, Sharon ‘n’ Barry do ‘Romeo & Juliet’. It’s something daft and beautiful that we hope will brighten up these last winter weeks.’ 

Sharon ‘n’ Barry do ‘Romeo & Juliet‘ will be performed on Zoom from 25 February – 6 March 2021. Tickets cost £8 plus 65p QRenew Fee, suitable for all ages 7+. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Happy New Year!

We hope that you’re all safe and well. We’re working hard behind the scenes and are delighted to let you know about some of the exciting activities launching this month.

We can’t wait to fling open our doors again. In the meantime, if you’re able to donate, we would love that. Your support during this difficult time has meant so much to us.

Look after yourself, stay strong, hang out with us on social media, and look out for our weekly updates as we reveal plans for this hopeful New Year!

With best wishes,

All at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch

 

Phizzical in association with Belgrade Theatre Coventry and Vivacity Key Theatre, Peterborough, present: Bring on the Bollywood free digital stream

The masters of Bollywood experiences Phizzical, debuted Bring on the Bollywood at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in June 2017.

In celebration of India Republic Day next week, our friends at Phizzical share this fantastic romantic comedy with us for FREE!

Take a break from Netflix and make an evening of it.

‘A must-see for all the family as well as Bollywood and theatre fans alike’ British Bindi.com

Festooned in a kaleidoscope of colourful costumes and melodious music, Bring on the Bollywood is a glitzy theatrical experience inspired by real stories of love.

Best Theatre Award finalist at Asian Media Awards in association with ITV.

Watch Bring on the Bollywood here for free.

 

 

Havering Changing has many opportunities for you to be creative at home and in your community in 2021

Havering Changing is all about YOU driving and deciding what creative activity YOU want to see on your doorstep. If you are from Harold Hill, Orchard Village, Rainham or Romford and want to help decide what happens in your community, Havering Changing want to hear from you!

If you have a creative idea that helps get more people taking part in amazing creative experiences, we together can support and fund you to make it happen.

And, if you love talking about what’s happening in Havering and have a passion for helping others, there are opportunities to volunteer as a Creative Champion. All positions will be supported by an induction and training by Havering Volunteer Centre.

If you would like to get involved or find out more, email hello@haveringchanging.org

 

 

Launch of QYouth Connect Sessions 

This week we have launched our new youth theatre ‘Connect’ sessions via Zoom helping young people stay connected with each other and the Theatre during this third national lockdown while we are unable to run our regular weekly classes.

All current QYouth members have been invited to join these weekly sessions which feature a different special guest every week!

 

 

Spring 2021 shows on sale now

We can’t wait to welcome you back.

Some of our spring season productions are already on sale and soon we’ll have news of more.

Up-coming highlights include the world premiere of our new Essex Musical Love Letters. In association with the National Theatre, we’ll be bringing David Eldridge’s ‘gorgeous new play’ (Independent) Beginning home to its roots and there’s plenty of live music, new writing and comedy to suit all tastes.

Click here for our full ‘What’s On’ guide

 

 

Throughout summer 2020 Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch ran a highly successful online initiative called Ten Tiny Plays. They invited members of the public to explore play-making exercises with local theatre director Jules Tipton.

On Wednesday 27 January, the Theatre is delighted to reimagine these free playmaking workshops delivered by telephone, especially for people with limited or no digital access. Participants can join Jules Tipton on a group phone call every Wednesday afternoon for a playful introduction to some easy storytelling activities designed to help unleash their creativity. No experience is necessary, and the project is open to everyone!

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch will choose some of the Tiny Plays created in these workshops to be rehearsed and performed by professional actors. These plays will then be shared back as a brand-new telephone play.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch have partnered on Ten Tiny Telephone Plays with the Havering Asian Social Welfare Association (HASWA) and DABD. This is a continuation of their existing partnership work to support older and isolated individuals who would most benefit from the opportunities.

If you know someone who would enjoy getting involved or would like to participate yourself, please email the Learning Team on learning@queens-theatre.co.uk .

Full casting has today been announced for Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s traditional seasonal special Christmas Allsorts.

The Theatre is excited to be welcoming back actors who are no strangers to its stage. They include Lauryn Redding, who was in The Hired Man and last seen in the West End show The Worst Witch, and Alex Tomkins, who was in Made in Dagenham and Cinderella. Alex finished his run at the beginning of the year as the first cover for the lead in the hit West-End musical School of Rock.

The pair are joined by talented actor-musicians Sioned Saunders and Tom Self. They have had successful careers with roles in hit Queen’s Theatre musicals and pantomimes The Hired Man, Priscilla – Queen of the Desert, Made in Dagenham, Robin Hood and Cinderella.

Audiences will be treated to a delightfully traditional family variety show, wrapped up in tinsel, with a bit of everything loved about the very best time of the year. This glamorous and brightly coloured selection box of music, dance and comedy includes yuletide tunes from films and musicals, as well as much-loved Christmas pop, alongside classic and new comedy sketches.

Christmas Allsorts will be rehearsed and performed in a socially distanced environment. It will be directed by the Queen’s Theatre’s Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul (As You Like It, The Hired Man, Priscilla – Queen of the Desert, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch). With musical direction by Tom Self, lighting design by Stephen Pemble and choreography by Sundeep Saini.

Director Douglas Rintoul says ‘It’s fantastic to have a cast of familiar faces return to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. The cast are amazingly talented actor-musicians coming from smash-hit shows and they’re going to make Christmas Allsorts an absolutely unmissable family treat.’

Christmas Allsorts will enjoy a strictly limited run from 11 December – 3 January, with only 200 tickets available per performance in a socially distanced auditorium. Aimed at audiences of all ages, aged 8+. Tickets are £6.50 – £26.50 (plus 65p QRenew Fee).