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Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is thrilled to announce that Georgina Field, who garnered rave reviews for her turn as Baroness Hardup in 2016’s Cinderella, will be returning for this year’s pantomime, Robin Hood. This heroic panto spectacular will be playing from Thursday 28 November to Sunday 5 January.

Field is a Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch regular, and has starred in classics such as Return To The Forbidden Planet, Twelfth Night, Godspell and Noises Off.

Baroness Hardup played by Georgina Field, was incredible, she fired up the audience to immediately get their backs up with her wickedness.’ BedrockFM on Cinderella

‘Georgina Field graces us with her presence as Anne Droid, she does well at representing the teenage longing for love and I particularly liked her rendition of ‘Teenager in Love’. Musical Theatre Review on Return to the Forbidden Planet

Georgina Field returns as the evil witch Morgana, and is sure to terrify and delight audiences and critics alike. She says ‘My first panto was at Queen’s Theatre, my sister Nic and I were in the junior chorus of David Wood’s Cinderella (you can still see the poster on the wall in the foyer now) when I was nine. I played saxophone in my band Rhythm Collision in the foyer when I was seventeen before I went to drama school. Then I became a part of The Cut to the Chase Company at Queens Theatre, beginning with the hugely successful Abigail’s Party directed by Matt Devitt. Since then I have been fortunate enough to play in numerous productions here throughout my career.  When I walk into the auditorium and breathe in the atmosphere I am inspired by all the shows I have ever seen or performed here.The Queens has had such a huge impact on my growth as an actor and a human being and given me so many precious memories. To be here entertaining families at Christmas time is the best present I could ask for’

Written by Andrew Pollard and directed by Douglas Rintoul (the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s Artistic Director), this family friendly actor-musician panto is twanging to the beats of pop hits from across the decades, filled with traditional audience participation and laugh out loud silliness.

Inspired by Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, writer Gary Owen and director Rachel O’Riordan reunite following their critically acclaimed productions of Killology and Iphigenia in Splott – recently named by the Guardian as ‘one of the 50 Best Theatre Shows of the 21^st Century’ – on ROMEO AND JULIE a powerful, funny and poignant new play about the hope and heartbreak of two young people in Britain today.

A co-production between the National Theatre and Sherman Theatre, the production will tour to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 23 –27 June 2020.

Romeo is a teenage single dad hanging on tight. Julie is fighting to follow her dream of studying at Cambridge. Two working-class eighteen year-olds raised a few streets apart, but from entirely different worlds, crash into first love and are knocked off their feet.  But at this crossroads to the rest of their lives, both families fear the worst in a world of unequal opportunity.

Romeo and Julie is designed by Hayley Grindle, with lighting by Jack Knowles, and sound design by Gregory Clarke and puppetry design and direction by Finn Caldwell.

Writer Gary Owen said, ‘I’ve wanted for ages to write a story about a man who became a dad in far more difficult circumstances than me, but who would succeed, be a good parent, and be transformed for the better by what he’d been through.

‘Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a story about young love. It becomes a tragedy because of pressures the lovers face from outside their relationship. Well, raising a baby puts pressure on any relationship, no matter how stable. And so I had my play about a young man, Romeo, dad to four-month-old Niamh, who meets Julie, a girl from three streets away and an entirely different world.

‘This will be the fourth play I’ve made with Rachel. It’s fantastic to be working with her again. There’s a genuine trust.’

Director Rachel O’Riordan said, ‘I am very connected to Gary’s work; I feel that the way he writes, and what he writes about, resonate with me very strongly. I will always be interested in directing anything he writes; but this idea also foregrounds another real interest of mine, which is how classic plays can be radically reinvented. I am keen to see how far the interpretation can go, and how a great play can be reframed by a great contemporary playwright.’

Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre said, ‘Rachel O’Riordan directs Gary Owen’s new play Romeo and Julie, which takes inspiration from Shakespeare’s play to create a funny and poignant look at the hope and heartbreak of two working class teenagers. A co-production with Sherman Theatre, we’re delighted to be able to tour this production to four of the brilliant Theatre Nation Partnership venues that we have been working closely with to build audiences over the last three years.’

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General sale
Remaining tickets will go on general sale from 10am on Sat 16 Nov

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is overjoyed to be named one of Waitrose’s chosen fundraising causes for November as part of its Community Matters Project which distributes money to local projects.

As one of the groups on the shortlist, funds raised will be used towards work with young people and the community, investing in and nurturing artistic talent, making theatre accessible and developing new audiences. All of which builds self-confidence, teamwork and social awareness.

Voting is now open in Waitrose Upminster until Saturday 30 November. Customers can cast their vote using a green token available at the check-out in store each time they shop.

Tom Lowe, Relationships Officer at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch says, ‘We are delighted to be selected as a local charity as part of Waitrose’s Community Matters Project and encourage all to support and vote for us! This donation will support our engagement with so many local families and young people.’
For more information about the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, visit www.queens-theatre.co.uk

Since its opening night on 31 October, The Beauty Queen of Leenane has had rave reviews from press!

‘Amusing and poignant in equal measure, this production provides its audiences with a sharp, detailed and observant portrayal on the various conflicts life throws at us.’

✰✰✰✰ – London Theatre 1

‘With accomplished, subtly powerful acting ‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane’ hooks the audience into the corrosive, emotional entanglement with suspense and engaging wit.’

✰✰✰✰ – Spyinthestalls

‘it movingly touches in some way on the lives of everyone and especially of those who feel trapped in places and relationships.’

-Broadway Baby

A tragic story, so dark it’s funny… it is unique and wholly mesmerising.

-Romford Recorder

The play begins as a twisted comedy but leaves the audience open mouthed with a shockingly evil turn. It was definitely a roller coaster of a night and this definitely left me wanting more’

-Hornchurch Life

The Beauty Queen of Leenane runs until 16 November, get booking for this unmissable production now!

Bows at the ready! Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is bringing their traditional panto spectacular, the heroic Robin Hood, playing from Thursday 28 November to Sunday 5 January.

Deep in the heart of his foreboding Castle, the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham is taxing the poor to pile up his gold, whilst imprisoning brave Maid Marian and her hilarious Nanny Fanny. But the Sheriff hasn’t banked on the arrow slinging hero Robin emerging from Sherwood Forest to target the hand of Marion and outwit the villain’s plans. Can Robin save the day with a little help from his band of Friar Tuck and plucky Merry Folk?

John Barr, who garnered rave reviews for his turn as Dame Dotty Trott in 2018’s Jack and the Beanstalk, returns as Nanny Fanny, Maid Marian’s hilarious nurse, and is sure to delight audiences and critics alike. He says ‘I am overjoyed to be returning to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in Robin Hood, it’s a fantastic theatre and I can’t wait to see all the boys and girls, mums and dads, nannies and grandads again this Christmas!’

Written by Andrew Pollard and directed by Douglas Rintoul (the Queen’s Theatre’s Artistic Director), this actor-musician panto is twanging to the beats of pop hits from across the decades, traditional audience participation and laugh out loud family silliness.

Over 50% of the tickets are now sold, so audiences need to get their skates on to book for this Sheriff-busting Christmas adventure!

The Queen’s Theatre has also confirmed it will be providing two adapted shows on Thursday 2 January, a Dementia-Friendly performance at 1.30pm and a Relaxed Performance at 5.30pm (for people who would benefit from a quieter environment including those with an Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders or a learning disability), as well as an Audio-Described performance on Saturday 4 January at 2pm.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is also overjoyed to announce Romford McDonalds as principal sponsor of this year’s pantomime, Robin Hood. This sponsorship will play a vital role in making Robin Hood an unforgettable show and spread the festive fun throughout Havering.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is overjoyed to announce Romford McDonalds as principal sponsor of this year’s pantomime, Robin Hood. This sponsorship will play a vital role in making Robin Hood an unforgettable show and spread the festive fun throughout Havering.

Romford McDonald‘s franchisee Gerry Byrne said, ‘It’s great to be supporting such a major part of our community and the excellent work the Theatre produces.’

Douglas Rintoul, Artistic Director at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch said, ‘A massive thank you to Romford McDonald’s. We are really looking forward to working with them over this festive period and provide the very best in family entertainment to as wide an audience as possible. It is fantastic that Romford McDonald’s are leading the way, investing in the culture of our borough.’

This support follows the £4000 contribution Romford McDonalds made to the Theatre’s QNew project in November 2018, which is transforming the facilities for developing high quality theatre and meet the needs of today’s audiences and participants

Robin Hood will be directed by Douglas Rintoul (the Queen’s Theatre’s Artistic Director) with choreography by Sundeep Saini and musical direction by Tom Self. This heroic panto spectacular will be playing from Thursday 28 November to Sunday 5 January.

For more information about QNew visit queens-theatre.co.uk/qnew/q-new-transformation/

The Queen’s Theatre has also confirmed it will be providing two adapted shows on Thursday 2 January, a Dementia-Friendly performance at 1.30pm and a Relaxed Performance at 5.30pm (for people who would benefit from a quieter environment including those with an Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders or a learning disability), as well as an Audio-Described performance on Saturday 4 January at 2pm.

• Macbeth, co-production of a Shakespeare classic with Derby Theatre, followed by a national tour
• World premiere of Maggie May by award winning theatre, TV and radio writer Frances Poet, co-produced with Leeds Playhouse
• World premiere of a brand new musical by Douglas Rintoul, Love Letters, celebrating the very best of Essex, followed by a national tour

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has today announced its Spring 2020 season, which will include a revival of Shakespeare’s bloodiest thriller, Macbeth. The revival continues the Theatre’s tradition of quality, classic drama and will be directed by Douglas Rintoul, following his acclaimed productions of Much Ado About Nothing and UK tour of The Crucible. Most recently, Douglas has directed this Summer’s highlight musical adaptation of As You Like It; a European premiere in partnership with the National Theatre. This co-production with Derby Theatre follows successful collaborations on Abigail’s Party, Abi and One Man, Two Guvnors. The show will then go on a national tour, with the Theatre making its first visit to Perth Theatre, and returning to long-term partner New Wolsey Theatre. The production is in response to the feedback from a ‘Learning Lounge’, where local teachers made suggestions about which plays on the secondary school curriculum they would like to see performed. After the huge success of Spring 2019’s production of DNA by Dennis Kelly, which was attended by 39 schools coming from as far as Leeds, Macbeth has already secured thousands of bookings from 23 schools.

The Theatre teams up with Leeds Playhouse for the very first time to produce the world premiere of Maggie May. This heart-warming drama by award-winning theatre, TV and radio writer Frances Poet is a warm, humorous and uplifting story, infused with familiar music, all about enduring love.

Finally, a brand new musical written and directed by Douglas Rintoul, Love Letters, tells the story of an unposted love letter meant to be sent between a passionate young couple‎ dating, only to be delivered many years later. With a raft of brilliant songs from Essex’s very best‎, with hits ranging from the 60s to today, this funny and popular working class love story promises to be an uplifting night out for everyone proudly calling Essex their home. The production marks the next step in the Theatre’s Essex On Stage programme, going on to tour to Towngate Theatre in Basildon and Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford.

The season launch was delivered from the Theatre’s brand new QLearning Space, opening today, 24 October. This new space was created as part of the QNew project; a renovation of the Theatre’s iconic building for artists, participants and audiences alike. The QLearning Space is a new and energising dedicated space for the Theatre’s expanding range of learning and participatory work with young people and the local community, situated in the heart of the theatre and easily accessible to everyone. Further QNew developments include a new LED lighting system in the auditorium and foyer, which will help towards a 70% reduction in energy, and renovation of the old education room into the QArtist Space. This space will be dedicated to developing new theatre, and will be available to artists throughout the year for research and development, readings and sharings. This is an important step in increasing the support the Theatre can offer to emerging theatre companies and local talent and the ambitions recognised in the Outer Limits programme.

The QNew project has been made possible by contributions from Arts Council England, London Borough of Havering, Veolia Maintenance Trust, Ian McKellen On Stage, The Theatre Trust, Equity Charitable Trust, Tesco Bags of Help, McDonalds Romford, Fowler, Smith & Jones, Rotary Club of Brentwood á Becket and money raised from the QNew Transformation Fee.

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, has opened to critical acclaim at Hull Truck Theatre on Tuesday 8 October. 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 opened at Hull Truck Theatre on 8 October, and runs until 26 October. It then transfers to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 30 October – 16 November.

‘This expert revival, directed by Mark Babych, is mesmerising from the moment you walk into the theatre right through to the haunting and horrifying conclusion: a lurid tale of sex, violence, physical and emotional abuse that makes for a thoroughly enjoyable night at the theatre’ – On Magazine

‘The warring nature of their relationship is brilliantly captured by Siobhan O’Kelly as Maureen and Maggie McCarthy as Mag’ – Hull Daily Mail

The play is directed by Hull Truck Theatre’s Artistic Director, Mark Babych and he is 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: ‘We are thrilled to be working with the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch again and I know that the company are really looking forward to sharing this wonderful story with audiences there after its run in Hull. The Hired Man was such a great experience for us that we jumped at the chance of working together on The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Our production and creative teams have been working closely together to ensure that audiences get the richest possible experience in both our theatres.’

This October sees the launch of Outer Limits Southend, a two-day festival celebrating Essex creatives. Featuring play-readings, theatre, poetry, storytelling, spoken word, music, panel discussions and talks, the festival takes place throughout the weekend at Metal in Chalkwell Hall on Saturday 12 October, and at The Railway Hotel on Sunday 13 October.

The festival runs from 12-11pm on Saturday 12 October and from 3-11pm on Sunday 13 October. Highlights of the festival include a panel discussion on Women Who Create Art, performances from Brigitte Aphrodite and Quiet Boy, and an intimate hometown session from musician Sam Duckworth of Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Following on from their immensely successful Essex Girls and Boys season, Outer Limits Southend is the latest step in the Theatre’s Essex On Stage programme. Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is reuniting with Sadie Hasler, co-Artistic Director of Old Trunk Theatre. Her play Stiletto Beach, was commissioned by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch as part of Essex On Stage, and had its world premiere at the Theatre in September.

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.

Old Trunk Theatre is a two-woman theatrical operation. They are dedicated to creating strong roles for women, in plays about women, driven by women. Their first two-hander, Pramkicker, an unrelentingly sharp comedy about what it means to be a modern woman, published by Bloomsbury Methuen Drama, was invited to be part of the King’s Head Theatre‘s 40 year anniversary celebration of new writing.

Outer Limits Southend runs at Metal on Saturday 12 October and at The Railway Hotel on Sunday 13 October. Tickets are free, but booking in advance is recommended. Tickets can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01708 443333, in person at the theatre or by clicking here.