Author: Grace Coppin

ACS Dance Centre, also known as Anthony Clifford Studios is celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year; husband and wife team and ex-professional dancers Diana and Mark started the school with just three students. They are now a registered charity as well as having their own impressive multi-studio dance premises in Albert Road, Romford.

This February they are joining forces with the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in their new production about the competitive world of Ballroom dancing Kiss Me Quickstep. Seven ACS students will form part of the show’s community chorus. They are Jack Burchell, Jessica Moores, Ella Nelson, Sue Smith, Elzbieta Szatkowska, Tomasz Szatkowski and Mieko Wertheim.

Joint Principal Diana Clifford said ‘We are so proud of our school, and all its pupils both children and our many adult members who may start to dance much later in life.  I truly believe dance is for everyone and its benefits for health and happiness are immense, even for those who do not want to take it up professionally. This new collaboration with the Queen’s Theatre is very exciting as it is promoting just this message!’

The school’s accomplishments speak for themselves, with many students going on to professional careers in all forms of dance, theatre and acting, even performing lead roles in the West-End and across the world.

Unusually for a dance school however, the Ballroom and Latin genre is equally well regarded as their theatre side and ACS excels in Ballroom, winning at National Blackpool grand finals and competing worldwide. The school has also been awarded the annual IDS Vocational Dance School of the Year four times, chosen from many thousands of applications from across the country and overseas by judges from the Royal Ballet school and the Editor of the Dancing Times, presented by Angela Rippon and Wayne Sleep. Diana is delighted to have recently been accepted as a Chance to Dance- Associate Artist of the Royal Opera House and teaches special classes on their behalf as part of the Royal Opera House’s Outreach program, with ACS and the Opera House offering selected children scholarship places at the school.

Kiss Me Quickstep plays at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 22 February to 9 March. Co-produced with New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, this sequin-studded ballroom drama by Amanda Whittington reveals the backstage stories behind the fabulous frocks, fixed smiles and fake tan, looking at the lives of those for whom dancing is everything. Tickets are £12.50 – £29 (plus an additional 65p QNew Transformation fee), with £8 tickets available for Under 26s (Tue – Thu & previews). Audiences can see this show and two more Queen’s Theatre productions (In Basildon and The Hired Man) from just £15 each with a Jump the Q season ticket. Offer ends 9 March.

For information about classes for adults and children in Ballroom, Latin, Ballet, Tap, Modern and Freestyle see acsdance.uk or call 01708 783576.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is one of five London Theatres to be awarded £5,000 from the Theatre Trusts’ London Small Theatres Grants Scheme for meaningful projects that address viability and accessibility and improve the theatre-going experience.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch will use this grant to complete a package of accessibility works front and back of house to better support audiences, participants and performers, as part of its QNew Transformation programme.

Tom Stickland, Theatres Adviser at the Theatres Trust said: ‘London is rich in all sorts of theatre, not just the West End in all its opulence, but tiny spaces that have made their homes in converted spaces and in communities throughout the capital. We launched this scheme following a GLA report into the challenges faced by small theatres and as you can see from our recent awards it is the smallest of those spaces that stand to benefit the most from some investment in their buildings; ensuring high quality experiences for theatre-goers, staff and performers.’

Mathew Russell, Executive Director at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch says, ‘We’d like to say a huge thank you to the Theatres Trust. This grant will make an important contribution towards improving the accessibility of our Theatre for audiences and artists to enjoy for years to come.’

The Omnibus in Clapham, Islington charity The Big House, The Tower Theatre in Hackney and Soho Theatre were the other organisations to also receive a £5,000 grant.

QNew is an exciting programme of building improvements which will allow the Theatre to make high quality theatre in developed spaces, work with more young people and community groups, offer an increasingly comfortable experience to audiences, be more open and accessible to D/deaf and disabled people, and keep the Theatre alive as a safe and environmentally friendly community hub, well into the future.

For more information about QNew click here.

Developments are underway at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch as part of the Theatre’s QNew Transformation programme. The Theatre has been fundraising towards innovating the iconic building since September and is delighted the first phase of building improvements is underway.

The Theatre’s new Rehearsal Space has now been installed with windows, a curtain rail and mirror curtains, cork boards, coat hooks and wifi, which have helped make the space more practical and stimulating for actors and creatives to work in. Daniel Haynes, a freelance Company Stage Manager who works regularly for the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch says, ‘The improvement works made to the new rehearsal space has allowed the room to feel bigger and more open, with the new windows allowing in natural light and fresh air. The addition of mirrors, curtains and pin boards allow the room to be more functional for directors, creatives and the acting company.’

These improvements wouldn’t have been possible without a generous donation from Gerry Byrne, Franchisee Owner of McDonalds Romford as well as contributions from the Theatre’s introduction of a 65p QNew Transformation fee. This came into effect on the Theatre’s 65th birthday, Friday 21 September. Since then, customers have already helped the Theatre raise a public contribution towards QNew of £31,522.90.

Douglas Rintoul, Artistic Director at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch said, ‘We’d like to say a huge thank you to McDonalds Romford and to all our loyal customers for their generous support for this important QNew project. By investing into the building, this support will ensure we keep producing the very best work we can, whilst encouraging members of our community to take part or see some of our upcoming productions.’

QNew is an exciting programme of building improvements which will allow the Theatre to make high quality theatre in developed spaces, work with more young people and community groups, offer an increasingly comfortable experience to audiences, be more open and accessible to D/deaf and disabled people, and keep the Theatre alive as a safe and environmentally friendly community hub, well into the future.

For more information about QNew click here.

Lucy Benjamin, who is best known for playing Lisa Fowler in EastEnders and Maggie in Mackenzie Crook’s BBC Four series Detectorists, has been cast in the regional premiere of David Eldridge’s In Basildon.  This family drama will run at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 14 – 30 March.

In Basildon sees the soap star return to her local Theatre after performing in Deadly Murder at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in 2015. She is currently performing in The Ruffian on the Stair at the Hope Theatre, Islington until 16 February.

She will be joined by Peter Bray (Much Ado About Nothing, Rose Theatre Kingston); Patrick Driver (Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, West End); Emily Houghton (Olivier nominated production The Lorax, Old Vic Theatre); Beverley Klein (Les Misérables, original cast, Royal Shakespeare Company) Peter Temple (Boy; Almeida Theatre) and Connie Walker (Trestle, Southwark Playhouse). Completing the cast are David Hemsted (White Gold, BBC Two) and Charlotte Law (Beauty and the Beast, Theatre Royal Stratford East) who were cast through the Queen’s Theatre’s open audition process to find local actors.

Written by the award-winning Romford playwright David Eldridge (Market Boy, National Theatre; Beginning, West End) this explosively knotty drama is being brought back to its roots after a 2012 premiere at the Royal Court Theatre.

The production will be directed by the Theatre’s Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul (Abigail’s Party, Rope, The Crucible), with design by Natasha Jenkins and lighting design by Alexandra Stafford. 

In Basildon launches the Queen’s Theatre’s Essex on Stage programme, a new two year programme that champions the positive notions of Essex, celebrating theatre made by working class people and raising aspirations for emerging artists from Essex and Outer East London.

In Basildon runs at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 14 – 30 March. Tickets are £12.50 – £29 (plus an additional 65p QNew Transformation fee), with £8 tickets available for Under 26s (Tue – Thu & previews).

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Derby Theatre have today announced their co-production of Richard Bean’s smash-hit comedy, One Man, Two Guvnors.

Directed by Sarah Brigham, Derby Theatre’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive, this co-production of Bean’s hilarious farce will open at Derby Theatre from 7 – 28 September before a run at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 2 – 19 October. One Man, Two Guvnors is the latest co-production between Derby Theatre and the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch following their highly acclaimed productions of Abigail’s Party and Abi in autumn 2018.

One Man, Two Guvnors is a side-splitting mix of physical comedy, farce and live music and has remained a huge hit with audiences and the press alike since the National Theatre’s production opened to rave reviews in 2011. The play continued to be a runaway success when it later toured the UK, played in the West End and on Broadway and later played Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand, plus further UK tours.

After being fired from his skiffle band, Francis Henshall is skint and hungry. He manages to secure a new job as a minder for small time gangster Roscoe Crabbe. What Francis doesn’t know, is his new guvnor is really Roscoe’s sister Rachel in disguise as her own dead brother, who has been killed by her boyfriend Stanley Stubbers.

To further complicate things, Francis nabs a second job working for that very Stanley Stubbers who is hiding from the police. All Francis has to do to ensure his two guvnors don’t meet. What could go wrong?

Sarah Brigham says: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be directing our version of Richard Bean’s phenomenally popular One Man, Two Guvnors this autumn and to continue our partnership with the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch. An absolute firm favourite of a production, that has proved immensely popular for years with audiences across the UK and overseas, I am confident that our audiences (and those in Hornchurch) will have a truly great night in our theatres this autumn seeing this superb slapstick comedy.’

Douglas Rintoul, Artistic Director at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch says, ‘After our hugely successful co-productions of Abigail’s Party and Abi, we’re delighted to be partnering again with our friends at Derby Theatre. Derby Theatre is an innovative leader in British theatre, and so we’re thrilled the Theatre’s Artistic Director Sarah Brigham will be directing this major revival of this iconic British comedy. Hornchurch audiences are in for a truly riotously fun night out.’

Tickets will be available to purchase for One Man, Two Guvnors at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from Thursday 11 April. For more information about the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch visit queens-theatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01708 443333.

Families won’t want to miss out on a whole host of fantastic children’s entertainment and workshops coming up at the Queen’s Theatre this spring half term!

For those that love getting creative the Theatre is hosting three tutor-led Create & Play Mornings throughout the week – Alien Adventures on Monday 18 February, Jungle Groove on Tuesday 19 February and Egg-cellent Adventures on Saturday 23 February. Little ones aged 4 – 6 will be able to use their imagination and enjoy two hours of creative fun involving drama games, storytelling and craft activities. Workshops start at 10am and cost £10 (plus QNew Transformation fee) per child.

Youngsters who simply can’t sit still can keep active by taking part in a Street Dance Masterclass on Wednesday 20 February. They’ll have great fun learning hip hop dance skills from an industry professional. This two-hour masterclass is £8 (plus 65p QNew Transformation fee) and starts at 10am for children aged 6 – 9 years and 1pm for children aged 10 – 14 years.

Children who love musicals have the fantastic opportunity to participate in a two-hour Musical Theatre Masterclass on Thursday 21 February. They will sing and dance their way through one of their favourite musical numbers and learn a full routine from a West End show! This masterclass is £8 (plus 65p QNew Transformation fee) and runs from 10am for children aged 6 – 9 years and from 1pm for 10 – 14 year-olds.

Finally, don’t miss Man of Mischief on Saturday 23 February at 11.30am. Featuring astounding juggling, jaw-dropping magic and feats of incredible danger, this engaging family show is suitable for children aged 6+, and tickets are £5 per person (plus QNew Transformation fee). Fun and laughter guaranteed!

For more information and to book tickets for any of these events call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or go online at queens-theatre.co.uk

Young people listen up! Everyone loves a night out for less than a tenner right? If you’re lucky enough to be 25 years old or younger you can bag yourself a cheeky bargain with £8 tickets to see a range of exciting Queen’s Theatre productions. Thanks to the Theatre’s new ticket scheme to attract younger audiences, under 26s can enjoy a night out at the Theatre without breaking the bank.

The scheme kicks off this spring with the modern day black comedy DNA, which runs from 7 – 14 February. This explosive story is written especially for young audiences by Dennis Kelly, who was a co-writer on BBC Three’s sitcom Pulling, Matilda the Musical with comedian Tim Minchin, and the Channel 4 conspiracy thriller Utopia.

Lovers of Strictly Come Dancing can immerse themselves in the dazzling world of ballroom dancing in Amanda Whittington’s sequin studded drama Kiss Me Quickstep. Playing from 22 February – 9 March, under 26s can grab a ticket for just £8 (Tue – Thu & previews only).

Other productions this spring under 26s can get their teeth into for just £8 are In Basildon (14 – 30 March), the sharply funny play about Essex family life by Romford playwright David Eldridge as well a stirring revival of the British musical The Hired Man (27 April – 18 May), by Melvyn Bragg, with music and lyrics by Howard Goodall (Bend It Like Beckham).

James Watson, Head of Learning & Participation for the Queen’s Theatre says, ‘We are passionate about getting young audiences to experience really great theatre, and by reducing cost as a barrier are making our work more accessible for them. We want young people to be moved, inspired, challenged and engaged. I hope this scheme will encourage more young people to see theatre for the first time or try something new that they might not be familiar with.’ 

More information about the Theatre’s under 26s £8 ticket initiative can be found online at queens-theatre.co.uk/under-26s and how these tickets can be purchased. The Theatre has also selected a range of season highlights that would appeal to young people.

Love is in the air! With Valentine’s Day just around the corner the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has announced its going to be spreading the romance with its Quickstep for Valentine’s event. It will take place in Romford Market on Saturday 9 February from 12 noon to 3pm, in partnership with Havering Council’s Valentine’s Day celebrations.

The cast of the Theatre’s sequin studded production Kiss Me Quickstep will be performing an exclusive teaser routine before giving shoppers the chance to participate in a free ballroom dancing demonstration. Bring your sweet-heart or grab a friend and come and dance with us! You don’t need to know your Foxtrot from your Cha Cha Cha to get involved, complete beginners welcome. The first session will begin at 12 noon, which will include a dance demonstration by the cast, followed by a public dance workshop. These 20 minute sessions will occur again at 12.30pm, 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm and 2.30pm.

Havering Council will also be providing plenty of free activities for children including a card making workshop, face painting and teacup rides. Bring the whole family along and feel the love this Valentine’s Day.

Amanda Whittington’s warm hearted ballroom drama is playing at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 22 February – 9 March. Kiss Me Quickstep is co-produced with New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich.

Amanda Whittington is a dramatist who has written over 30 plays for UK theatre and radio. She has three titles in Nick Hern Books’ Top Ten Most Performed Plays of 2018: Ladies Day, Be My Baby and The Thrill of Love. Amanda has numerous writing credits for BBC Radio Four, including The Archers. Her 2016 drama D for Dexter won Best Series/Serial in the BBC Audio Drama Awards and the fifth series will be broadcast in November 2018.

She recently revealed more about what audiences can expect from her sequin-studded ballroom drama, Kiss Me Quickstep at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch: 

For those that don’t know the play, what is Kiss Me Quickstep about?

Kiss Me Quickstep is about the highs and lows of competitive dancing.  It’s set at the British Amateur championships in Blackpool and follows three couples as they battle for ballroom and Latin glory.  It’s a world where winning is everything.  We see their relationships pushed to the limit and discover the struggles and sacrifices they make to become champions.  The drama also plays out on the ballroom floor, so we also get to enjoy some highly competitive dance routines.

In 2012, you were one of six writers offered a Making Tracks bursary, towards making a creative journey. Can you tell us more about your experience at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens and how it sparked inspiration for Kiss Me Quickstep?

Making Tracks was a rare opportunity to take a creative research trip and ‘find’ a play.  I chose Blackpool, as it’s the home of ballroom dance and I’d long felt there was a great story behind the glitz and glamour.  Thanks to the bursary, I spent two weeks at the World Championships, held in the gorgeous Winter Gardens.  It was amazing spectacle: 3,000 couples representing 60 countries.  It was a surreal experience, as the frocks, fake tan and fixed smiles of the dancefloor felt a world away from reality.  The dancing was extraordinary but what I didn’t expect to see were the dancers preparing in full view of the audience.   Backstage was actually the back of the ballroom: dresses and tail-suits were hung up in the stairwells, suitcases spilled open in shadowy corners.  It was a world where illusion and truth blurred into one, and that was the starting point for the play.

Shows like Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing on Ice have been successfully gripping the nation for over a decade. What is it about these type of dance shows do you think that capture the hearts of those who have never danced before.

I think it’s probably because we’d all like to do it!  There’s a real sense of magic and escapism in those shows, but also the promise that the most unlikely person can become a wonderful dancer.  The ‘best’ celebrity dancers on Strictly aren’t the ones who capture our imaginations; we’re rooting for the underdog who triumphs against the odds.  I think it’s the Cinderella story that draws us in; the ugly ducklings who turn into swans.

This production is the first revival of Kiss Me Quickstep. How is this version going to be different to its premiere?

It’s a completely new cast and creative team, so they’ll interpret the script in a different way and make it their own.  It’s always fascinating for writers to see how a new company tells what appears to be the same story in a unique and surprising voice.  At the first Kiss Me Quickstep read-through, I had a fresh perspective on the characters, which is all about what the individual actors bring to them.  That’s one of the great things about writing for theatre, as opposed to TV, film or novels: the work is made over and over again, and reimagined every time.

What’s going to surprise people about this show?

There’s plenty of humour in the show but we’re definitely not sending up the characters.  It’s easy to make light of the frothy façade of ballroom and Latin but we take the lives of the dancers very seriously.  I interviewed dance competitors, judges and teachers in a bid to capture the reality of competitive dance.  Hopefully, it gives an insight into how much hard work, commitment and stamina it takes to create that effortless perfection on the dancefloor. I’d say the show reveals the iceberg below the surface of the performance, which is something we rarely get to see or appreciate.

You’ve worked with the Queen’s Theatre before. What other productions have you collaborated on?

I’ve been lucky, as the Queen’s Theatre has staged three of my plays: Satin n Steel, Ladies Day and Ladies Down Under.  I think the accessible style of my work sits well here and connects with the audience.  I’ve always really enjoyed working here and I’m delighted to be back with Kiss Me Quickstep, which is one of the most ambitious plays I’ve written in terms of size and scope.  I can’t wait to see it on stage at the Queen’s Theatre.

Why should audiences come and see Kiss Me Quickstep?

If you love dance, it’s a guaranteed good night out but if Strictly isn’t your thing, the play might surprise you. It’s a story about the world we think we know but that hides many secrets.  For me, Kiss Me Quickstep is about the grit in the oyster that forms the pearl.

Kiss Me Quickstep is co-produced by the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich. The show plays in Hornchurch from 22 February – 9 March, transfers to Ipswich from 13 – 23 March and then tours to Theatr Clwyd from 26 – 30 March.

Full casting has been announced for the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich’s sequin studded production of Amanda Whittington’s ballroom drama, Kiss Me Quickstep. The production opens in Hornchurch from 22 February – 9 March, transfers to Ipswich (13 – 23 March) and then will tour to Theatr Clwyd (26 – 30 March); the first time the Queen’s Theatre has worked with this major theatre.

The cast includes David Birch (Matilda the Musical, West End), Michelle Bishop (Strictly Ballroom, West End), Adrian Klein (Memorial, Barbican Theatre), Joshua Lay (Funny Girl, UK Tour), Abigail Middleton (Wondertown, The Bohemians), Garry Robson (The Who’s Tommy, Ramps on the Moon) and Vicki Lee Taylor (Mamma Mia, West End and International Tour). They will be joined by a community chorus of 8 ballroom dancers.

Kiss Me Quickstep will be directed by Kirstie Davis, with design by Jess Curtis, lighting design by Mark Dymock, sound design by James Cook and choreography by Lucie Pankhurst. 

Audiences will be able to fully immerse themselves into the dazzling world of ballroom dancing thanks to the intimate nature of the production’s staging; there will be an additional bank of seats behind the stage. This show will be performed with a traverse stage with actors performing to all sides.

Writer Amanda Whittington says, ‘I’m delighted Kiss Me Quickstep will be dancing into the Queen’s Theatre. The show pulls back the glitter curtain on competitive dance, revealing what it takes to make a ballroom champion, on and off the floor. I can’t wait to see the new production hot-footing across the country, too.’

Audio description via a headset will be available at every performance of Kiss Me Quickstep from Tuesday 26 February, with a Sign Language Interpreted Performance on Wednesday 6 March at 7.30pm and a Dementia-Friendly Performance on Thursday 7 March at 1.30pm.

Kiss Me Quickstep runs at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 22 February – 9 March. Tickets are £12.50 – £29 (plus an additional 65p QNew Transformation fee), with £8 tickets available for Under 26s (Tue – Thu & previews). Audiences can see this show and two more Queen’s Theatre productions (In Basildon and The Hired Man) from just £15 each with a Jump the Q season ticket. Offer ends 9 March.

For more information about Kiss Me Quickstep click here.