Category: Queen’s news

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is thrilled that its regional premiere of Once, co-produced with the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, has received six nominations in the prestigious Off West End Theatre Awards.

Assessors from The Offies (Off West End Theatre Awards) have nominated Once for Best Musical Production, Ben Goddard for Best Musical Direction, Emma Lucia for Best Female Performance in a Musical, Daniel Healy for Best Male Performance in a Musical, and Sean Kingsley and Samuel Martin for Best Male Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

  

  

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 one of over 80 participating venues across the capital and a final shortlist of nominees will come out early next year.

Featuring an ensemble of cast of actor-musicians, Once tells the unforgettable story of a Dublin street musician and a funny Czech woman, drawn together by their shared love of music. As they assemble a band from her wild family and his quirky mates, the music flows and they fall slowly in love.

★★★★★ ‘A phenomenal production’ spyinthestalls

★★★★★ ‘Moving, beautifully produced musical that’s good for the ears and heart’ Everything Theatre

★★★★★ ‘Cracking performances all-round, from an outstanding cast of actor-musicians, combined with hauntingly novel songs and music’ ActDrop

Once runs at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch until Saturday 20 October. For more information about the show call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit queens-theatre.co.uk.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is delighted to have received such rave reviews from audiences and critics alike for its regional premiere production of Once, co-produced with the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich.  The show has even received a mention by Elaine Page on her Elaine Page on a Sunday show!

★★★★★ ‘A phenomenal production’ was the verdict given by the spyinthestalls who became fully immersed and absorbed in the performance.

ActDrop was bursting with praise for the production’s ‘outstanding cast of actor-musicians’, awarding the production with five-stars and claimed it was ‘a consummate piece of musical theatre’.

Here’s what other critics have been saying:

★★★★ ‘The heart of this show beats strong and those unaware of this show, I implore you to see it. It will be a new favourite’ London Theatre 1

★★★★ ‘An outstanding opportunity to see a quality production without paying West End prices’ Broadwaybaby

★★★★ ‘A superb company of actor-musicians’ Remotegoat

★★★★ ½ ‘A regional production to be proud of’ The Reviews Hub

‘If I could fit in another trip before this closes, I would: Once is never enough…’ There Ought to be Clowns

‘Astonishingly touching’ Talk Stagey To Me

‘This show did pull at my heart strings’ TheatreLife

‘Once…captivates you with its delight and wonder’ Hornchurch Life

‘A spellbinding musical full of emotion and laughter’ Romford Recorder

‘Incredible’ Bedrock FM

‘Loveable’ Essex Enquirer

‘Beautiful harmonies, acapella numbers and hypnotic melodies made for a magnificent triumph’ Brentwood Gazette

Once runs at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch until Saturday 20 October. For more information and tickets call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit:  https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/once/

This critically acclaimed new play comes to the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch later this month before visiting Paris and Valence, France.

★★★★★ ‘Heart-breaking’ Independent

★★★★★ ‘Gentle, funny, devastating’ Financial Times

★★★★★ ‘Gripping, amusing, uncomfortable, desperately moving’ The Times

Casting has been announced for LOVE, a new play about the housing crisis by Alexander Zeldin, which premiered at the National Theatre to critical acclaim in late 2016, and transfers to the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 25 – 27 October. Reprising their roles are original cast members Emily Beacock, Anna Calder-Marshall, Luke Clarke, Janet Etuk, Nick Holder and Yonatan Pelé Roodner. Waj Ali, Rosanna Beacock and Mimi Malaz Bashir complete the cast.

This piercing new play is a timely reflection on an often overlooked crisis and an intimate story of family love for our times. The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is the only UK venue where audiences can see this immersive drama performed live on stage. This is prior to the broadcast of LOVE, set to be screened on BBC Two in December.

It’s the run up to Christmas. In a city where over 50,000 households are living in temporary accommodation, three families find themselves without a home. A middle-aged man and his elderly mum, a young family with a baby on the way, a newly arrived woman from Sudan. Strangers. Forced together. No space is personal.

LOVE is designed by Natasha Jenkins, with lighting by Marc Williams, with sound design by Josh Anio Grigg and movement by Marcin Rudy. The Queen’s Theatre is transforming its auditorium to create a truly unique and intimate experience like no other. Tickets are limited because of this, so audiences should book early to avoid disappointment!

Writer and Director Alexander Zeldin said, ‘The stories I seek to tell are those of the everyday, of apparently simple struggles in Britain today. I’m delighted that LOVE will visit the Queen’s Theatre, to continue to tell a story that I believe we can only tell using this medium.’

LOVE will continue the National Theatre’s partnership with the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, established through Theatre Nation, a three year programme to grow audiences and increase involvement in theatre. The two partners have already been working together to bring The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time to 8 secondary schools in Outer East London, as well as producing a community musical production of Pericles through Public Acts, a nationwide initiative to create extraordinary acts of theatre and community.

LOVE runs at the Queen’s Theatre from 25 – 27 October. Tickets are £19 – £24 (plus an additional 65p QNew Transformation fee) with £8 tickets for Under 26s and can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 01708 443333, in person at the theatre or online at https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/love/

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and the National Theatre announce the return of Public Acts with As You Like It, to be performed at the Queen’s Theatre in 2019.

Following the success of Pericles in the National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre this summer, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul will direct next year’s Public Acts production As You Like It in a musical adaptation first seen at the Delacorte Theater, New York, in 2017 as part of The Public Theater’s Public Works programme.

Performances will take place at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 24 – 27 August 2019.

This version of As You Like It is by Director of Public Works Laurie Woolery and Shaina Taub, featuring music and lyrics by Taub, and set and costume design by Hayley Grindle. The score is infectious, with sounds ranging from calypso to pop, Broadway musical to soul.

Pericles director Emily Lim will collaborate with Douglas Rintoul in the role of Public Acts Director, continuing to work with the Public Acts community partners: Body & Soul, Bromley by Bow Centre, Coram, DABD, The Faith & Belief Forum, HASWA, Open Age and Thames Reach.

The UK premiere of this work will see more than one hundred community members, a small group of professional actors, together with cameo groups from across London, perform together in this magical tale of faithful friends, feuding families and lovers in disguise. True to Shakespeare‘s play, the universal narratives of exile, displacement and reconciliation that are explored seem more timely and important than ever.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, one of the city’s producing theatres working in a part of London that’s rapidly changing, diverse in many ways and often forgotten, was the Theatre Partner for Pericles earlier this year. As You Like It will take the aspirations of Public Acts to its next stage.

Tickets for As You Like It go on sale via the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch website queens-theatre.co.uk from next month.

Public Acts is inspired by Public Works, The Public Theater’s ground-breaking programme of participatory theatre in New York.

UK Theatre has today announced the regional and national winners of this year’s Most Welcoming Theatre award, after an unprecedented 56,000 votes were cast by members of the public. The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is overjoyed to be crowned with the title Most Welcoming Theatre in the East for the third year in a row.

Douglas Rintoul, Artistic Director at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch said, ‘We’re delighted to win this award for the third year in a row. Thanks to our teams and everyone who voted! At the Queen’s Theatre we’re reaching out to many more members of our community – who may not have previously felt able to visit the theatre – with several new initiatives: a more diverse programme, special ticket prices for under 26 year olds, relaxed and dementia-friendly performances, more audio described performances and £1 tickets for first-timers. This award is a real testament to the passion, care and pride embodied by our brilliant staff.’

Part of the annual UK Theatre Awards, Most Welcoming Theatre is an opportunity for audiences across the country to celebrate their local theatre. The Queen’s Theatre is among 12 regional and national winners who will be invited to the Awards on Sunday 14 October at London’s Guildhall, where an overall winner will be announced.

This year’s nominations demonstrate the breadth and depth of outstanding talent and achievement in theatre and the performing arts throughout the United Kingdom, on and off stage. The full list can be viewed at www.uktheatre.org

 

A specially staged production of the National Theatre’s award-winning play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will be seen by eight secondary schools in Outer East London in partnership with the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch as part of a 12-week tour in Autumn 2018.

The tour forms part of the National Theatre’s drive to introduce new audiences to theatre, in a three-year partnership working with local theatres and schools. The tour will visit the following local schools in September and October 2018:

• Eastbrook School
• Hall Mead School
• Harris Academy Rainham
• Hornchurch High School
• Marshalls Park Academy
• Royal Liberty School
• Sanders School
• The Brittons Academy

The schools tour is a 90-minute version of the play performed in the round and will be followed by a Q&A session for students with the company. The tour is accompanied by a learning programme which includes professional development for teachers led by the NT and Curious Incident movement directors Frantic Assembly, as well as curriculum-based resources and workshops.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is collaborating with the National Theatre to develop local audiences and engagement in theatre and reach new audiences in Outer East London. Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has been working closely with the NT to identify local schools to take part in the programme, host training sessions for teachers and provide logistical support. The collaboration is part of a three-year project, Theatre Nation Partnerships, focusing on six areas around the country.

The schools tour will visit five schools per week from September 2018 and will also visit Doncaster, London, Rochdale, Sunderland, Salford, Wakefield, Wigan and Wolverhampton.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time brings Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel to life on stage, adapted by two-time Olivier Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens and directed by Olivier and Tony Award®‑winning director Marianne Elliott. The novel has won more than 17 literary awards and is widely studied in schools. Simon Stephens’ adaptation is a set text for GCSE English Literature.

The play tells the story of Christopher John Francis Boone, who is fifteen years old. He stands besides Mrs Shears’ dead dog, Wellington, who has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in a book he is writing to solve the mystery of who killed Wellington. He has an extraordinary brain, and is exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life.  He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched and distrusts strangers. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that upturns his world.

Speaking about the schools tour Simon Stephens said: ‘It means the world to me that Curious Incident will be touring schools around the country. I worked as a schoolteacher teaching kids in Dagenham in Essex 20 years ago. I loved it. I still think of myself as a teacher. I have seen firsthand how inspiring drama is to young people in schools. I believe the arts to be fundamental to our society. We can’t afford to lose them from our education system. I am delighted that our play will play its part in introducing young people to the theatre. I always hoped that Curious Incident was a play that could be performed anywhere, by anyone. The play is designed to provoke and inspire imagination and interpretation in its staging and inspiration in its audience. The tour will, I hope, provide the same kind of imagination and inspiration throughout the country.’

Alice King-Farlow, Director of Learning at the National Theatre said, ‘At the National Theatre we believe that all young people should have the opportunity to experience and participate in drama no matter where they are in the UK. We’re delighted to be touring this award-winning play to schools, and via our Theatre Nation Partnership with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, we hope that bringing Simon Stephen’s brilliant Curious Incident to young audiences in Outer East London will help to spark imaginations and encourage participation in theatre.’

Julie Bishop, Head of Vocation at Eastbrook Secondary School, Dagenham said, ‘This is a really exciting opportunity for the students and being able to work with the National Theatre as they tour with the show Curious Incident is amazing and I know that our students will gain so much from this.’

The cast includes Shiv Jalota, Kathryn McGarr, Nick Pearse, Chereen Buckley, Caroline Parker, Matt Wilman, Suni La and Kieran Garland.

The production is designed by Olivier and Tony Award-winner Bunny Christie and Tony Award-winning lighting designer Paule Constable. Movement is by Scott Graham and Olivier Award-winning Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, music by Adrian Sutton (who also composed music for War Horse) and sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph. The Associate Director is Anna Marsland.

The National Theatre’s Partner for Learning is Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Schools Touring is supported by: The Mohn Westlake Foundation, The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Ingram Trust, Archie Sherman Charitable Trust, Behrens Foundation, Cleopatra Trust, Jill and David Leuw, Mulberry Trust and The Royal Victoria Hall Foundation.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch celebrated its 65^th birthday in style on Friday 21 September with a 70s themed fundraising party to remember, boasting fine food, brilliant live music and fun fashion.

Guests were warmly greeted and served a selection of delicious canapes and retro cocktails in the Theatre’s set building workshop, before enjoying an exclusive three course meal on stage with the actors of Abigail’s Party and Abi – a dining experience first in the Queen’s Theatre’s history!

The party then carried on into the evening with more guests joining for Disco Inferno to dance the night away. A brilliantly funky live band performed a range of 70s classics and featured performers Di Croft, David Grace, Georgina Field (also on saxophone), Gemma Salter and Al Twist. They were joined by drummer Edmund Knight, keyboardist Alex S.Tower and James Payne on guitar and vocals. DJ Tom of Swindon got the guests into the groove until late with feel-good dance floor anthems.

Executive Director Mathew Russell said, ‘The many months of planning‎ and promoting really paid off with the delivery of a slick, immersive, visually impressive, fun, musical, tasty, warm evening of 65th Birthday Celebrations. I wish we’d made a documentary; it really was like an evening at the BAFTAs! Thank you to all involved and to our guests for their very generous support.’

The money 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.

Christmas has come early as the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has revealed details about its new immersive festive show, Sparky the Elf and the Secret Toyshop. This December, families can enjoy an elftastic adventure with one of Santa’s pointy eared and rosy-cheeked helpers at a top secret location at Romford’s The Mercury Mall Shopping Centre. 

The special venue will be transformed into Santa’s enchanted workshop, and running from 15 – 30 December. Whilst Santa is busy making his list and checking it twice, his most trusted head elf Sparky Tinselbottom is frantically working away repairing abandoned toys. Families with children aged 7 – 11 can join in as one of Sparky’s friends and discover fantastic adventures of unloved toys from around the world. But don’t distract Sparky for too long, as Father Christmas needs everything to be ready for loading his sleigh and the clock is ticking…

Families must arrive 15 minutes before the advertised start time by the Help Desk on Level 2 (Street level) of the The Mercury Mall Shopping Centre, where they will be met and led to Sparky’s secret toyshop, which will be a short walk away.

Written and directed by the Queen’s Theatre’s Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul, this unique experience is from the team behind last year’s sell out festive treat, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas which was performed at the National Trust’s Rainham Hall.

Sparky the Elf and the Secret Toyshop runs from 15 – 30 December. Tickets are £7.50 for all weekday performances and £10 at weekends. Performances are at 11am, 2pm, 4.30pm, 3pm and 6pm (varies each day). To book, call the Queen’s Theatre’s Box Office on 01708 443333 or go online at queens-theatre.co.uk

‘Fancy a little top up?’ The homecoming revival of Mike Leigh’s timeless comedy Abigail’s Party has received plenty of wonderful praise since it opened at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch earlier this month. Critics and audiences have enjoyed their trip down memory lane, complete with gin and tonics and cheesy-pineapple ones all round!

Co-produced with Derby Theatre, Wiltshire Creative and Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, ActDrop applauded the production with five stars and described the show as ‘Excruciatingly funny and truly unmissable’. 

Another four star review came from The Guardian who commended the performances as ‘cringing brilliance’, stating ‘Melanie Gutteridge plays Bev with such pitch perfection that the character feels, finally, freed from Alison Steadman’s formidable legacy.’

Broadwaybaby also awarded the production with four stars and said ‘Leigh coined the phrase ‘theoretical Romford’ to describe the play’s location, so where better to see in than in the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’.

Here’s what other critics have been saying:

★★★★ ‘The greatest appeal of Abigail’s Party is its comedy, and this is plentiful under Rintoul’s direction’  BritishTheatre.com

★★★★ ‘Classic comedy of suburban manners’ Remote Goat

★★★★ ‘A lively and dynamic production’ LondonTheatre1

★★★★ ‘Slick and sharp‘ TimeFM

‘Unique’ A Younger Theatre

‘Lee Newby’s lavish set captures the questionable aesthetics of the era down to the last detail’ The Stage

‘A lively revival’ thespyinthestalls

‘Brutally funny’ There Ought to be Clowns

‘I thoroughly enjoyed watching this production’ Hornchurch Life

‘A very enjoyable evening’ TheatreLife

‘Marvellous revival’ Brentwood Gazette

‘Wonderful’ GatewayFM

‘A show worth seeing’ Polka-dot pages

‘Great writing, direction and a top cast’ Bedrock FM

Abigail’s Party runs at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch until Saturday 22 September. The production will then tour to Derby Theatre (26 September – 20 October), Salisbury Playhouse (30 October – 17 November) and Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg (27 – 29 November).

For more information about the show call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or click here 

The world premiere of Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti’s uplifting comedy drama Dishoom! comes to the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch later this month (25 – 29 September) as part of a national UK tour. The production stars 17-year-old Bilal Khan, from Ilford, who makes his professional stage debut in the lead role of Simon.

Featuring music and playful re-enactments from the smash hit Bollywood film Sholay, this new play about friendship and courage set in 1970s Britain is co-produced by Rifco Theatre Company and Watford Palace Theatre with Oldham Coliseum Theatre (Miss Meena & the Masala Queens, The Deranged Marriage and Britain’s Got Bhangra).

Bilal Khan himself was born with cerebral palsy and will be taking on the role of a young man with a disability who is struggling to find his place in the world around him. He says, ‘I can’t wait to start my first professional acting journey with this leading British Asian theatre company. The team have been really supportive throughout this opportunity from assisting with my touring needs to professional development workshops. I am honoured to be involved with this brilliant piece of new writing.’

Khan will be joined by Elijah Baker (On the Middle Day, The Old Vic); Seema Bowri (My Country, National Theatre); Georgia Burnell (professional debut), Omar Ibrahi (Ricky Whittington; New Diorama Theatre); Gurkiran Kaur (The Test, Southwark Playhouse) and James Mace (Desperate Measures, Jermyn Street Theatre).

The story follows Simon and his friends; they should be looking forward to leaving school, but the National Front are on the streets, Simon’s Bibi is ashamed of him and his Dad spends his life hiding in the pub. When Simon’s cousin Baljit comes to stay, she introduces him to the Bollywood classic, Sholay. Inspired by the film’s dynamic duo, Jai and Veeru, Simon and Baljit find their inner superheroes and set out to change their world forever.

A  Dementia Friendly performance of Dishoom! will take place on Thursday 27 September at 1.30pm in addition to an Audio Described performance on Saturday 29 September at 2.30pm

Dishoom! runs at the Queen’s Theatre from 25 – 29 September. Tickets are £12 – £22 and can be purchased by calling the Box Office on 01708 443333, in person at the theatre or online here.