Author: Grace Coppin

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is the theatre partner on the National Theatre’s new initiative Public Acts which creates extraordinary acts of theatre and community. The programme launches with a musical version of Shakespeare’s Pericles on 26 – 28 August.

A company of over 200 people of all ages from across London join together with professional artists to breathe new life into this classic tale in a musical version on the National Theatre’s Olivier stage. Pericles launches Public Acts and marks the mid-point of a two-year partnership with DABD, HASWA (Havering Asian Social Welfare Association) and six other organisations (Body and Soul, Bromley by Bow Centre, Coram, Open Age, Thames Reach and The Faith & Belief Forum) who deliver visionary work in their communities, together with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch; the first theatre partner on Public Acts. Through Public Acts, members of DABD and HASWA have taken part in a programme of workshops, trips and opportunities for exchange, and will form part of the company for Pericles.

DABD is a local charity that enables independence for vulnerable people, helping them to achieve a better quality of life and to make their own choices. DABD’s weekly workshops were aimed at young people aged 16 -24 and focused on building confidence and speaking out. Feedback from the young people so far has been extremely positive, with them citing a ‘wonderful experience’ and ‘an amazing opportunity.’

Havering Asian Social Welfare Association (HASWA) intends to improve the quality of life of Asians and the wider communities residing in Havering, by catering to the social, cultural and welfare needs of people and promote social integration. HASWA’s members have taken part in creative workshops and trips to find out more about how a professional theatre works, learning about different aspects of performance such as movement, music and awareness of space.

Prince Pericles has everything but understands little. When a reckless act threatens his safety, he must flee his home and take to sea. Reliant on the whims of the fates and the kindness of strangers, Pericles is driven from shore to shore. Only by reaching the ends of the earth may he finally understand what it means to come home.

The cast also includes Ashley Zhangazha, Audrey Brisson, Ayesha Dharker, Garry Robson, Naana Agyei-Ampadu and seven cameo performance groups who represent the cultural diversity of London: The Archetype Dance Team, Ascension Eagles, Faithworks Gospel Choir, London Bulgarian Choir, Manifest Nation, The Bhavan and The Youthsayers. Further announcements of the professional cast will be made in due course.

The NT has commissioned Chris Bush, a writer with extensive experience working with large community ensembles, to adapt Shakespeare’s Pericles which will be directed by NT Resident Director Emily Lim. Music for the production is by James Fortune.  The production is designed by Fly Davis and choreographed by Robby Graham.  Lighting design is by Paule Constable, sound design by Paul Arditti and Tarek Merchant is Music Director.

Pericles is the first production in the National Theatre’s Public Acts initiative, a new programme of sustained partnerships with communities and theatres across the UK which will create ambitious new works of participatory theatre.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is a vibrant regional theatre with a rich heritage of working in Outer East London, Essex and beyond, celebrating its 65th birthday in 2018. Artistic Director, Douglas Rintoul at the Queen’s Theatre said, “We’re thrilled to be the first partner collaborating with the National Theatre on Public Acts. It’s enabling us to engage deeply with diverse community groups in a way that will have a long lasting impact on individuals and our organisation. It’s creating a cultural meeting place, connecting Inner and Outer London whilst also enhancing a sense of local pride through the celebration of our community and the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch itself.”

Elaine James, CEO of DABD, said “We jumped at the chance to be involved in the Public Acts initiative – what an opportunity to make our first foray into the arts world, work with such prestigious partners as National Theatre and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and of course, provide a fantastic opportunity for some of the young people we work with. We have seen our participants confidence grow so much since the programme started and now we can’t wait to see their hard work pay off in the production of Pericles this summer.”

Manjit K. Singh of HASWA said, “Taking part in Public Acts with the National Theatre has been such a rewarding and exciting experience for our members. Everyone has greatly enjoyed and looked forward to taking part in the workshops each week and I can’t believe how much our members have grown in confidence and developed new and lasting relationships with one another. We can’t wait to take part in Pericles at the National Theatre this summer.”

Emily Lim said, “Public Acts is founded on the belief that theatre can be a force for change, bringing communities together to experience the power of collective purpose and imagination. We are so excited to be celebrating our first year of community partnerships this Summer with Pericles, our first Public Acts production, under the National Theatre’s Artistic Director Rufus Norris.”  

Public Acts is inspired by Public Works, the Public Theater’s ground-breaking programme in New York and by the visionary participatory work of other theatres across the UK over the past decades.

For more information and tickets visit https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/pericles

Celebrations are in full flow at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch as its sensational feel-good musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert experienced record-breaking sales at the Box Office.

This heart-warming regional professional premiere, which ran at the theatre from 28 April to 26 May, was seen by 13,302 people and generated 30 percent more in sales than the theatre’s previous front runner, The Rocky Horror Show by Richard O’Brien in 2011. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is now the theatre’s most successful production ever outside of its annual pantomime.

Playing to packed houses, the production received a wealth of positive comments from audiences and critics. One theatregoer wrote on the theatre’s Facebook page, ‘Excellent show, brightly colourful, very entertaining and some side splitting moments. Definitely recommend. It’s great to have such entertainment on our doorstep. Well done to everyone involved.’

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert by Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott opened in London’s West End in 2009 and ran for two years. The Queen’s Theatre was the first regional theatre in the UK to revive this iconic story of friendship and empowerment with a cast of actor-musicians. The production also received three nominations in the prestigious Off West End Theatre Awards.

Mathew Russell, Executive Director at the Queen’s Theatre said, ‘There’s been an outpouring of love for the production from audiences – ‎with an almost or often full house of standing ovations at each performance – and a constant flow of positive reactions and special stories on social media.’

This autumn, audiences can enjoy the hilarious situation comedy Abigail’s Party (30 August – 22 September), the UK regional premiere of the multi-award-winning musical Once (3 – 20 October) and the chilling ghost story Haunting Julia (1 – 17 November).

This autumn, the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch turns 65 and is celebrating in style with 70s themed party celebrations on Friday 21 September – and everyone is invited! This evening of fundraising boasts fine food, brilliant live music and the chance to dance the night away to disco hits of the decade.

Celebrations coincide with the theatre’s first show of the season, Abigail’s Party, a hilarious situation comedy by Mike Leigh set in seventies Romford. Guests can enjoy reception drinks with the actors from the play at 7pm before sitting down to an exclusive 70’s themed three course meal on stage; the first time such an event has ever happened. The evening continues until late with live music in the theatre’s foyer party Disco Inferno. Dinner tables are available centre stage for £100 per person or in the wings for £80 per person.

Party-goers who just want to dance the night away can enjoy a live foyer band playing 70’s classics at Disco Inferno from 9pm. Tickets are £25 per person.

As a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity, all funds raised will go towards helping fund the theatre’s wide-reaching, unique programme of live theatre and community and education projects. This includes working with young people and the community, investing in and nurturing artistic talent, making theatre accessible and developing new audiences.

For more information and to book tickets call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/65th-anniversary-celebrations/ 

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has today announced a thrilling variety of productions in its vibrant autumn season of limitless entertainment.

From 26 – 28 August, a huge company comprising of a number of community organisations from across Greater London will join together with professional artists to perform Shakespeare’s Pericles on the National Theatre’s Olivier stage. This production is the National Theatre’s first Public Acts production (a nationwide programme to celebrate community and create extraordinary theatre) of which the Queen’s Theatre is proudly the first theatre partner on.

The award-winning 201 Dance Company brings its urban and hip-hop fused show SKIN to the theatre on Sunday 23 September. This ‘thrilling’ and ‘thought-provoking’ (The Wee Review) five-star dance production is an emotionally driven story of family, identity and belonging.

A variety of new comedy shows visits the theatre including BAFTA-winning stand-up and voice of Love Island Iain Sterling with his critically acclaimed show U OK HUN? X on Sunday 16 September. Audiences can also join Eshaan Akbar, Sindhu Vee, Hyde Panaser and Nabil Abdul Rashid for a night of jokes and laughter with the Desi Central Comedy Show on Sunday 4 November. In addition, Noreen Khan (BBC Asian Network) hosts a night of comedy with some of the UK’s favourite female acts with LOL (Ladies of Laughter) on Friday 11 January.

This Christmas, the theatre is producing three festive treats for families to enjoy. As well as its panto extravaganza Jack and the Beanstalk (28 November – 6 January), it’s bringing the immersive ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (1 – 23 December) for 3 – 7 year olds home after last year’s sell out run at the National Trust’s Rainham Hall. Finally, there is a brand new festive adventure for 7 – 11 year olds to join Sparky the Elf and the Secret Toyshop from 15 – 30 December in a secret location in Romford.

The Queen’s Theatre is also producing DNA from 7 – 14 February, a modern day black comedy with a dark heart tailored specifically for young people. DNA is written by award-winning writer Dennis Kelly (Channel 4’s Utopia and Matilda the Musical), directed by the theatre’s Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul and performed by final year students from the BA (Hons) Acting CDT course from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

These programme highlights join the Queen’s Theatre’s recently announced produced season which features the hilarious situation comedy Abigail’s Party (co-produced with Derby Theatre, Wiltshire Creative and international partner Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg) from 30 August – 22 September; a piece of new writing, Abi, which runs alongside Abigail’s Party from 4 – 22 September (as part of Derby Theatre’s RETOLD series); the UK regional premiere of the multi-award-winning musical Once (co-produced with the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich) from 3 – 20 October; the chilling ghost story Haunting Julia from 1 – 17 November; as well as recently announced visiting work which includes the new play Dishoom! from 25 – 29 September (produced by Rifco Theatre Company, Watford Palace Theatre and Oldham Coliseum Theatre) and the heart-breaking drama LOVE  from 25 – 27 October (co-produced by the National Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre).

Tickets are on sale now. For more details and to book call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or go online at https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is delighted to announce that it will be providing a dementia-friendly performance of its musical production, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

The dementia-friendly performance will take place on Thursday 24 May at 1.30pm. Tickets for this performance are £14.50 (carer goes free) and can be purchased by calling the theatre’s Box Office on 01708 443333.

The Queen’s Theatre works closely with local care homes to ensure its theatre is accessible for everyone. This includes providing a dementia-friendly performance of its annual pantomime since 2016 as well as hosting several performances throughout the year of Down Memory Lane, a show tailored for people with dementia and their carers. Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has been recognised for supporting audiences with dementia as last year’s dementia-friendly performance of Beauty and the Beast was featured on BBC London news.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is an uplifting and heart-warming tale that has it all – outrageous costumes, flamboyant choreography and plenty of sass. It’s jam-packed with 70s, 80s and 90s dance floor favourites including I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, I Say A Little Prayer and Finally.

Based on the smash hit movie starring Terence Stamp and Guy Pearce, audiences are promised a highly entertaining new take on an iconic musical.

The regional professional premiere of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert runs at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch until Saturday 26 May.For more information and to book call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert/

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is delighted that its regional professional premiere production of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert has received three nominations in the prestigious Off West End Theatre Awards.

Assessors from The Offies (Off West End Theatre Awards) have nominated Mark Inscoe for Male Performance, Josh Tye for Male Performance in a Supporting Role and a joint Musical Director nomination for Adam Gerber and Tom Self (Adam Gerber is the Musical Director for the overall show and Tom Self is the Performance Musical Director).

The OffWestEnd.com website, which champions London’s independent theatres, launched the annual awards – also known as The Offies – in 2010 to celebrate excellence in productions outside the West End. The Queen’s Theatre is part of more than 80 participating venues across the capital and a final shortlist will come out early next year.

This four-star actor-musician version of the glamorous feel-good musical written by Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott is directed by the Queen’s Theatre’s Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul. This ‘fun and flirtatious’ (LondonTheatre1) production has left audiences laughing and strutting home in high spirits, with it being dubbed as ‘a show to see’ by theatre blogger There Ought To be Clowns.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert runs at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch until Saturday 26 May. For more information about the show call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert/

The regional professional premiere of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert opened at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch this week and it has left critics laughing and strutting home in high spirits.

London Theatre 1 were thoroughly entertained by this ‘fun and flirtatious production’, awarding it four-stars.

Pocketsize Theatre applauded the production for being ‘a celebration of what it means to be yourself.’

Here’s what other critics have been saying:

★★★★‘Sassy disco glam down under’ RemoteGoat

★★★★ ‘An enjoyable romp with a big heart’ ActDrop

★★★★ ‘A talented ensemble cast of actors and musicians, plus some clever staging, sets and props bring this West End classic to life’ Everything Theatre

‘Powerfully performed regional premiere’ The Stage

‘Loud, proud & camp as hell!’ Stage Faves

‘A show to see’ There Ought to be Clowns

‘Glitter, drag queens and a pink bus – if this doesn’t recommend a show, I don’t know what will’ thespyinthestalls

‘Full of Outback charm, tons of sequins and familiar pop anthems’ Theatre Life

‘Vibrantly colourful and outrageously fun’ Yellow Advertiser

‘I want to immediately see it again’ Romford Recorder

‘It’s all about lights, music and dance’ Hornchurch Life

‘Sensational choreography’ Bedrock FM

‘Spectacularly fun and feel good night out’ Essex Enquirer

‘West End quality’ GatewayFM

Priscilla Queen of the Desert runs at the theatre until Saturday 26 May. For more information and tickets call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert/

April was Autism Awareness Month. To celebrate the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch housed an arts exhibition by RAGS (Romford Autistic Group Support) which was open for the public. It displayed artwork created by adults and young people with Autism.

Every year RAGS presents an Autism Awareness Award to a person or organisation that has supported the group and helped to raise awareness of Autism in the community. This year, it was awarded to the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch for their continued support to RAGS over the past few years. The award was presented to the theatre by the Mayor of Havering, Linda Van den Hende, on Saturday 28 April.

Speaking on behalf of RAGS, Jackie Perryman says, ‘We are pleased to award the Queen’s Theatre for 2018, they have been very supportive of RAGS and as a small charity with no regular funding, this is much appreciated. The art exhibition has been held regularly almost every year at the Queen’s Theatre allowing the public and theatregoers to view the children’s artwork. It is a very valuable event to us and all helps to raise awareness of Autism within our community. The theatre has been most generous in offering our families seats at their pantomime and also providing Autism-friendly performances to families who would normally avoid this type of activity. A huge thank you to all at the Queen’s Theatre for your support to RAGS.’

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch was delighted to receive the award in recognition of its continuing work towards ensuring the theatre is accessible for everyone. This includes providing Relaxed Performances of its annual pantomime since 2016. A Relaxed Performance is a specially adapted performance tailored for anyone who would benefit from a quieter and supportive environment including people with Autism, sensory and communication disorders, learning disabilities or Dementia.

RAGS was founded in 2003 by a group of Havering parents who have children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. It became a registered charity in 2009 and is dedicated to helping families in Havering.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has today announced its autumn programme for its 65^th anniversary year.

The season opens with the hilarious situation comedy Abigail’s Party by Mike Leigh which runs from 30 August – 22 September. Made famous by the BBC Play for Today starring Alison Steadman, the Queen’s Theatre is co-producing this fresh but faithful look at an iconic classic with Derby Theatre, Wiltshire Creative and international partner Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg.

Following the success of their production of Made in Dagenham in 2016, the Queen’s Theatre and New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich are joining forces to produce the UK regional premiere of the multi-award-winning musical Once. Based on the Academy Award-winning film, this smash-hit romance will feature an ensemble of actor-musicians and plays from 3 – 20 October.

From 1 – 17 November, the Queen’s Theatre is producing Haunting Julia. This hauntingly tense study of grief and the supernatural is punctuated with trademark wit from Alan Ayckbourn, one of the world’s most popular and prolific playwrights.

Theatregoers can enjoy all three of these productions with a cost-effective Jump the Q season ticket from £45 (£15 per show). The season ticket goes on sale from Monday 9 April and individual tickets can be purchased from Monday 16 April.

Derby Theatre and the Queen’s Theatre have also commissioned Abi by Atiha Sen Gupta, a fresh new piece of writing as part of Derby Theatre’s RETOLD series, which comprises of new one-woman plays. Abi, which will run alongside Abigail’s Party from 4 – 22 September, is told from the viewpoint of 15 year old Abisheera who surveys what’s left from the previous generation’s night before, in response to Mike Leigh’s seminal play. Deals on Abi are available when purchased with Abigail’s Party or a Jump the Q season ticket.

The theatre is also welcoming two major visiting productions. Dishoom! a new play by Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti comes to the Queen’s Theatre as part of a national tour from 25 – 29 September and is produced by Rifco Theatre Company, Watford Palace Theatre and Oldham Coliseum Theatre.

LOVE, written by Alexander Zeldin transfers to the Queen’s Theatre from 25 – 27 October, and is co-produced by the National Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre. This new play about the housing crisis premiered at the National Theatre and was hailed by the Evening Standard as ‘the National Theatre’s play of the year’ in 2017. This is part of Queen’s Theatre‘s developing relationship with the National Theatre which includes being Theatre Partner on the Public Acts project.

For further information about these productions, Jump the Q and to book tickets, call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit queens-theatre.co.uk