Author: Grace Coppin

We are at last able to announce the line-up for our Scratch Night, taking place on Tue 1 Oct.

Come see, discuss and feedback on the developing work of local artists, playwrights and performers.

 

Washed Up

by Miranda Wilkie

Lei, an up-and-coming playwright, and her girlfriend, Kay, brave a storm of social media outrage when Lei is accused of plagiarising another writer. Kay is forced to examine their relationship when she suddenly begins to see Lei for who she really is, while Lei scrambles to save her career above all else. Set across a week, Washed Up, follows the couple through the ebb and flow of a modern scandal. It dissects the intricacies of ‘cancel culture’, identity politics and public shaming, and the toll they all take on a relationship.

Instagram: @miranda.co.uk

The Life Changing Magic of Selling a Lamp

by Kate Austen – No Fixed Address

The Life Changing Magic of Selling a Lamp is a play about finding meaningful connection in the modern world and discovering this in the least expected of places; from accidental drunken voice-noting to communal tables at Wagamamas and accessing God in Ikea.

We live in a society where you can interact with Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, emails and entertainment all at once. We have fast-paced connection at our fingertips but how often do we really make a meaningful connection where we feel understood and valued?

Through the fog of all the many voices, two performers declutter their minds and experience the power of female friendship.

The play evolved out of a series of real voice notes that Georgina and Kate sent to each other and so is partly verbatim.

https://nofixedaddresstheatre.com/ @FixdNo

 

From the Ashes

by Claire Jared – Mad Stallion Productions

Edward and George are taking Kirsty, Edward’s wife and George’s dear old friend, on a final farewell tour of her old stomping grounds. Well, what remains of her anyway. As in, her actual remains!

This poignant and heartwarming story follows Edward and George’s journey to lay their beloved Kirsty’s soul to rest in some rather unusual places.

Written by Andrew Sharpe, My name is Cathy and Meet me at the Nightingale, this succinct, short play is a witty, dark comedy which reminds us that no matter how dark the circumstances in life, there will always be humour.

@Madstallionpro        @JaredClaire              @LauraSociety

http://clairejared.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/madstallionpro/

http://madstallion.co.uk

 

Squad Goals

by Michelle Payne – Caspa Arts

It’s summer and everyone has World Cup fever, but not in the usual way. The Lionesses are tearing up pitches and making a name for the female game. Lexi, who has never been taken seriously, inspires a group of school leavers to redefine the game in her hometown in Essex.

Twitter / Facebook / Instagram – caspaarts

 

Tom Brooks

by Tom Brooks

I’m in the process of writing, recording and producing an album of 10 original songs – of which I have selected 3-4 songs from my upcoming album to perform as unplugged acoustic renditions. I’ve been composing material since 2013 – forming a band “Santa Fe Samplers” in 2014, and performing originals and covers at The Hermit, Fairkytes Live, charity events at the Essex Arms and the Havering Show. I draw from an eclectic mix of music genres, but my overarching style is rock – my strongest influences being Nirvana, Biffy Clyro and Foo Fighters.

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQSk6lDe-kZqIh_Xg8PoxlA

 

I just want to get to work

by Adenike Ojo

Sophie is pressured at work, which is only aggravated by her horrendous journey into work.  She results to Yoga and daily affirmations to help her anxiety.

As an audience we are privy to the unwritten bus stop rule which is sacredly guarded, intimate conversations, characters we may have encountered on our daily commute, such as “the early morning dozer”, “the MUA with a steady hand”, “the immovable passenger”, etc.

The slights which we would ordinarily let go of, ignore or fail to comment upon (to prevent rocking the boat or the train being delayed) are faced head-on, directed to individuals we share a confined space with for a short period of time and will possibly never see again.

Although set in Harold Wood, exploring the shift and change in characters if the setting was in Africa, India, France or a subway in the US would be an adventure.

This October sees the premiere of Love Unspoken from Spare Tyre, producers of The Garden. The final production in a trilogy conceived and directed by Arti Prashar (Fellow at the Centre of Contemporary Theatre at Birkbeck University and Winston Churchill Fellow in Dementia, Ageing and Spirituality), developed in collaboration with people living with dementias and their carers from South Asian communities. Arti has worked extensively with Havering Asian Social Welfare Association (HASWA) to develop this new piece aiming to challenge the stigma for those living with dementia and their carers.

Following the success of 2017’s The Garden, which played to much acclaim at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and toured to several care homes around London and Essex, Love Unspoken is a visually stunning, dynamic piece. Pushing the boundaries of theatre, the show explores love and the journeys it takes. The show navigates love stories and poetry through dance, movement, sound and light, punctuated by moments of lucidity.

“A multi-sensory depiction of the seasons, the performance uses digital projection, music and non-verbal communication to connect with individuals whose powers of self-expression have been affected by their condition.” The Stage on The Garden, 2017

The piece will be designed by Magdalena Rubalcalva, with sound design by Tayo Akinbode, who also performs in the production. Paul Falconer, Head of Sound at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is the sound engineer, and Stephen Pemble, Head of Lighting at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is the lighting designer.

Spare Tyre is a participatory theatre company working to engage with those least involved in the arts.

Havering Asian Social Welfare Association (HASWA) exists to improve the wellbeing of Asians and the wider community in Havering, by tackling isolation, connecting people and services, promoting mental and physical well-being, personal development and creating a sense of belonging through raising cultural awareness.

Love Unspoken runs at the Queen’s Theatre from 2 – 5 October. Tickets are £10 (plus 65p QNew Transformation fee), bookers are entitled to a free carer’s ticket per person, and can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 01708 443333, in person at the theatre or by clicking here.

We catch up with playwright Luke Norris ahead of the opening of razor-sharp play So Here We Are. The production plays from 7^th September – 28^th September, and sees the play performed in its local setting for the first time.

So Here We Are portrays five Essex boys and their hopes, dreams and frustrations in a tightly-wound play. Born in Romford, Luke has a real ear for everyday speech of the Essex natives he depicts.

• Tell us a bit about yourself! What’s your background?

I was born and brought up in Essex- mainly around Romford, where my family had a fish stall on the market (Fancourt’s) until quite recently.  I worked there as a kid, then left Essex when I went to drama school in 2005.  I now live in South London with my wife and two daughters. 

• You’re from Romford and the play is set in Southend. What’s it like to have the play “come home” to Essex?

I’m delighted that it’ll finally be seen by the people it was intended for in the first place…  Essex as a place has a humour and a heart like nowhere else, and this play reflects those sensibilities.

• What was the inspiration behind writing the play?

The two biggest killers of young men in Britain are (still) suicide and car accidents.  That bothered me when I first wrote the play, and it bothers me now.  So I suppose that’s why I started… But I knew I wanted the play to have a lot of laughs, so that my mates from home might actually enjoy coming to see it. 

• What did the writing process look like?

I wrote the play relatively quickly (for me) over ten weeks on a Writer’s Group at The Royal Court.  At the end of that process the theatre turned it down, but it went on to win a Bruntwood Prize- which gave it it’s first production at the Royal Exchange in Manchester, and HighTide Festival in Suffolk.

• Why is it important to have working class narratives on stage?

This is probably a question for someone else cleverer than me.  AllI know is that I want to see those stories- they speak to me, personally- and I feel compelled to write them. 

• How does the play deal with men and men’s relationships with each other?

 It depicts a particular type of friendship between young men (especially) that I think isn’t really represented that much on stage or screen- that deep, fraternal, mawkish, sometimes suffocating, love you find in really close groups of mates.

• Why should people come and see So Here We Are?

It’s funny.  It’ll make you laugh.  And on a good night it might make you cry as well.  But either way, you’re in the pub inside 90 minutes.

• Have you been to the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch before?

It’s the only theatre I ever came to as a kid!  I’d never been anywhere else until I went to National Youth Theatre at the age of sixteen and discovered that the rest of London is full of theatres too.  I remember seeing Return To The Forbidden Planet and thinking: “well that looks like fun.  I wouldn’t mind having a go at that.”

 

So Here We Are runs from 7-28 September. To find out more or to book tickets click here

Full casting has been announced for Martin McDonagh’s (In Bruges, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) The Beauty Queen of Leenane, co-produced by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Hull Truck Theatre. This is the second co-production between Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Hull Truck Theatre, after the landmark revival of The Hired Man in Spring 2019. This pitch-black comedy opens at Hull Truck Theatre from 3 – 26 October, then transfers to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 30 October – 16 November.

The play will be directed by Hull Truck Theatre’s Artistic Director, Mark Babych and he’ll be assisted by Maureen Lennon (co-founder of Bellow Theatre and Associate Artist for Middle Child). The production features design by Sara Perks, lighting design by Jessica Addinall and sound design and composition by Adam McCready.

The cast includes Nicholas Boulton (Imperium, RSC and West End), Maggie McCarthy (Children of the Sun, National Theatre), Siobhan O’Kelly (All My Sons, Watermill Theatre) and Laurence Pybus (Death of a Salesman, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland).

Mark Babych, Artistic Director at Hull Truck Theatre, says: ‘I am really looking forward to starting the rehearsal process in a few weeks, this time here in Hull. We have assembled a brilliant team of actors and creative artists for this co-production. It’s exciting to be able to develop and debut the show here before having the chance to reach even wider audiences through our partnership with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch.’

Radical new ideas to engage local Havering communities in arts and culture will be explored in a new project lead by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch.

Arts Council England has today (14 August) announced an investment of £1 million for the borough of Havering as part of the Creative People and Places programme.

Havering Changing is a partnership of 8 local organisations that will seek radical new ideas to engage local communities in arts and culture, support local decision makers and share learnings, through the working themes of ‘On Your Doorstep’, ‘In the Know’ and ‘Communities Celebrating’,

The project is being led by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch working with Clarion Futures (the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group), Havering Colleges, Havering Interfaith Forum, Havering Volunteer Centre, Havering Youth Services and myplace, Rainham Association for Village Events (R.A.V.E.), and The Mercury Shopping Centre. It will target communities in Harold Hill, Romford, Rainham, and Orchard Village.

Mathew Russell, Executive Director of Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch on behalf of Havering Changing said, ‘The Havering Changing consortium are incredibly excited about the fresh and life‎ enhancing projects the much admired Creative People and Places programme will enable local residents in Havering to dream up, debate and realise. It’s brilliant to be working in a new partnership, in places where more arts and culture can make a real difference, at a time of such change in the borough. We’re all looking forward to sharing and learning what we discover together over the next four years and beyond’

Joyce Wilson, Area Director London, Arts Council England said, ‘Creative People & Places was established to enable communities to direct their own cultural programmes and increase engagement in the arts, and I am really pleased we are able to support Havering Changing and its plan for the borough. Havering has one of the lowest levels of engagement in publicly supported arts and culture, not because of any lack of interest, but because of a lack of opportunity. This project will enable people to test their own ideas, support their ambition and let the community shape how, why and when they engage in cultural activity. We know place-based arts and culture has a huge impact on people’s lives, and the communities they live in, and look forward to seeing how the project contributes to positive change in the borough’.

Councillor Viddy Persaud, Havering Council Cabinet Member for Culture said:

‘This is fantastic news that will make a real difference for Havering communities. The benefits of taking part in cultural activities – for health, friendship, education and skills – are absolutely clear and I commend the bid team for its compelling vision for what together we can achieve.’

The London Borough of Havering Youth Service and myplace said: “We are delighted to be a part of the Havering Changing consortium that has led to the future delivery of the Creative People and Places Project. We are very excited that young people who are not engaged with the arts, or think that is not for them, will have the opportunity to take part in creative learning opportunities that will be transformative, fulfilling and will equip them with skills for life. Havering Youth Service is looking forward to continuing with this partnership to improves the lives and outcomes for young people through the vehicle of Arts and Culture”

Havering Volunteer Centre said ‘For Havering Volunteer Centre to be a part of the Havering Changing consortium which is developing the exciting Creating People and Places Project will enable us to engage volunteers who have a great passion for the Arts and Culture.  More importantly we will be able to encourage those local residents into volunteering within the Arts in Havering that may have thought “it’s not their cup of tea”.  This project will open up a world of possibilities that may have stayed firmly closed if not for this project.   We cannot wait to embark on this journey of discovery with them and enlighten others of the wonders of volunteering within the Arts and Culture for Havering.’ 

Natalie Bays, Deputy Centre Manager, the Mercury Shopping Centre said ‘It has been incredible to work with such a passionate team of people in the Havering Changing consortium over the past months, and we are very proud at The Mercury that we have helped to bring a Creative People and Places programme to our local area. We believe that arts and creativity will flourish in our community and this programme can give us the support we need to provide more creative opportunities and enhanced experiences for more people than ever. We can’t wait to get started and see the differences to peoples live this programme can make.’

Havering Colleges said ‘Creative People and Places’ will create life-changing experiences for the young people of Havering. The Havering Colleges are extremely honoured to be a part of such a motivated and forward-thinking consortium. The creative projects will not only engage and excite young people with amazing arts and cultural experiences but will also lead to an increased understanding of, and pathway into, employment within the thriving Arts sector. Building cross-generational relationships and working as a community will be at the heart of our commitment as we work to increase the life chances of our students through this initiative.’

Rainham Association for Village Events (R.A.V.E.) said ‘We are delighted to be a part of the Havering Changing consortium that has led to the future delivery of the Creative People and Places Project. We are very pleased to be part of this as it will help to grow and engage our community further and hopefully provide more activities for both R.A.V.E. and the village of Rainham. Rainham Association for Village Events is looking forward to continuing with this partnership to improve the lives and outcomes for people through the vehicle of Arts and Culture’.

Clarion Futures (the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group) said ‘We are delighted to be part of a consortium that will be championing access to the arts across Havering. Clarion Futures exists to strengthen communities and provide opportunities for our residents and it is fantastic to be part of a group that will be driving participation across the community. We look forward to playing our part and involving as many Clarion residents as possible.’

Across England, £17,472,604 National Lottery funding has been awarded to create arts and cultural experiences in areas with historically low levels of arts and cultural engagement across England.  These twelve projects, part of the Creative People and Places programme, will take place between 2019-2023 and will be created in collaboration with their local communities.

The projects will be developed and delivered by consortia of diverse local partners, empowering people to shape the arts and cultural provision where they live.

Find out more about Havering Changing and Creative People and Places here

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is bringing Luke Norris’ (Royal Court, Paines Plough) acclaimed So Here We Are home to its Essex roots this autumn. It plays alongside the world premiere of Sadie Hasler’s (Pramkicker, Fran & Leni) hilarious comedy Stiletto Beach as part of Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s Essex On Stage programme from 4^th-28^th September.

The cast for So Here We Are includes: Omar Austin (God of Chaos, Theatre Royal Plymouth), Lewis Bruniges (WhoDunnit [Unrehearsed], Park Theatre), Matthew Hood (Mystery Bouffe, Piccadilly Circus), James Trent, who is making his stage debut at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Amy Vicary-Smith (Thrones! The Parody Musical, Baby Wants Candy, Leicester Square Theatre) who plays Kelly in So Here We Are and Helen in Stiletto Beach, and Oliver Yellop (Bad Men, Kings Head Theatre).

She is joined for Stiletto Beach by Linda Broughton (Suzy Storck Of Magali Mougel, The Gate/Theatre National de Bretagne, Angela Clerkin (Dear Elizabeth, Gate Theatre), Danielle Flett (Doctor Faustus, Duke of York’s Theatre) and Emily Houghton (In Basildon, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch).

So Here We Are is directed by Caroline Leslie (The Wipers Times, Arts Theatre, Watermill Theatre). Stiletto Beach is directed by Emma Baggott (Fierce, The Swirl, RSC). Both plays are designed by Dora Schweitzer, with lighting design by Douglas Kuhrt and sound design by Steve Mayo.

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 programme has been made possible by the generous support of The Clothworkers’ Foundation, and was recently launched with the highly successful regional premiere of David Eldridge’s In Basildon.