Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is excited to announce that Blouse & Skirt Theatre Company’s first major production, Rice & Peas, will be playing at Metal Culture, Southend-on-Sea 28 – 29 April 2022.

Rice & Peas is an immersive West Indian dining experience inspired by Mia Jerome’s (Blouse & Skirt Theatre Company’s Artistic Director) family history.

Grenada, 1948. Figgy and Edith enjoy a meal together the evening before Figgy boards The Empire Windrush to set sail for England, both of them blissfully unaware that they will not see each other again for two years. When Edith arrives in London, 1950, Figgy has been slaving away to prepare a special meal for them, but within her, Edith carries an explosive secret that threatens to tear apart their dreams of the Motherland.

With a menu designed by Executive Chef, Jon Bentham, (previously Head Chef for Gary Rhodes, and the man Tom Kerridge credits with teaching him how to cook) Rice & Peas allows audiences to share three delicious West Indian courses with this couple over the course of their life, and in doing so discover the heartache and courage it took so many to start a new life in Great Britain.

The menu includes Callaloo Soup with Spiced Creole Bread; Breadfruit & Sweet Potato Balls; Eggplant Curry with Quorn Dumplings; Crisp Roti Shell and Spiced Lime Pickle; Ground Provision Oil Down; Rice & Peas; Macaroni & Cheese; Chocolate Mousse with Grenada Spice Cake & Vanilla Ice Cream. (Menu may be subject to change).

Rice & Peas is written and directed by Mia Jerome. Essex born Artistic Director, Mia Jerome, is an actress, writer, director and dramaturg. She studied Creative Writing and Television at Kingston University and trained as an actress and theatre maker at Fourth Monkey Theatre Company. In 2021, Mia created Blouse & Skirt Theatre Company to celebrate stories, songs, performers and puppets from the African-Caribbean diaspora.

The production is part of Creative Estuary Co-commissions – the initiative which aims to showcase 60 miles of the North Kent and South Essex region as one of the UK’s most dynamic and creative areas in the whole of the UK – working on this occasion with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch.

Rice & Peas plays at Metal Culture, Chalkwell Hall, Southend-on-Sea 28 – 30 April 2022. Tickets cost £35 (+65p QNext fee). For more details and to book, call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or click here.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch are celebrating a second award nomination for their current revival of Arthur Miller’s moving and powerful landmark drama All My Sons, which closes on 5 March before transferring to the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich 8 – 12 March.

The Offies Nomination is for Lead Performance in A Play for David Hounslow in his role as Joe Keller and follows a recent nomination for Oliver Hembrough. nominated for Supporting Performance in a Play as his son, Chris Keller.

 “Gathering menace”  ★★★★ The Stage  “

“Intense and compelling performances” ★★★★ London Theatre 1

 “Douglas Rintoul’s production is devasting. I was profoundly moved” Shenton on Stage

David Hounslow who is best known for his roles in Coronation Street and Doctors said:

“Playing Joe is an absolute joy. He is a strong yet delusional man who is living a lie, a lie that he has convinced himself to be a truth.  He is a flawed but likeable character, audiences recognise his working-class origins – the self-made man, following the Capitalist dream and prepared to make a dreadful compromise to maintain his place. It is one of the greatest plays of the 20th Century, a cracking story that rattles along devastating some of the characters along the way. I am delighted with this nomination”

It’s 1947 and successful ‎businessman Joe Keller and his wife Kate are living the American dream in their idyllic suburban neighbourhood. Summer wedding plans are afoot for their son and his fiancée. Shadows of the war are slowly fading. But nothing‎ lasts forever. And a familiar visitor arrives to unbury secrets from the past, which will tear their lives apart…

This compelling masterpiece, based on a true story, established Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman, The Crucible) as one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century.

All My Sons is directed by Douglas Rintoul (Macbeth, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), designed by Amy Jane Cook  (Jelly Fish, The National Theatre), with lighting design by Stephen Pemble (Neville’s Island, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), sound design by Helen Atkinson (Grief is the Thing with Feathers, The Barbican, St Ann’s Warehouse, US), accent coaching by Joel Trill (A Taste of Honey, Trafalgar Studios), and intimacy and fight direction by Haruka Kuroda (The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson, Park Theatre)

Director Douglas Rintoul says:

“We could not be more delighted that David has been recognised for his role in All My Sons, he brings such depth to the character of Joe who, although flawed, we can recognise as a man who is just doing what he has learned is the ‘right’ thing to do by society, and asks us all as an audience to look more deeply into the costs of the choices we are making”

“Against our contemporary context of division, post-truth, climate change and the pandemic, this play speaks to us more than ever, asking us to look at the values and beliefs we hold about our own lives and the world around us”

All My Sons closes on Saturday and then tours to New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich. Book your tickets here.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is delighted to announce an Offies Award nomination for Oliver Hembrough for Supporting Performance in a Play in his role as Chris Keller in their current revival of Arthur Miller’s moving and powerful landmark drama All My Sons. Directed by Douglas Rintoul, All My Sons opened 10 February to critical acclaim and plays until 05 March at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch until transferring to the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich 08 – 12 March..

The Stage –  “Gathering menace”  ★★★★

London Theatre 1  – “Intense and compelling performances” ★★★★

Shenton on Stage – “Douglas Rintoul’s production is devastating. I was profoundly moved”

Recently seen in 80 Days Around The World on BBC One, Oliver plays Chris Keller alongside David Hounslow, Eve Matheson, David Bonnick Jr, Nathan Ives-Moiba, Natasha Lewis, Tilly-Mae Millbrook, Graeme Rooney and Kibong Tanji.

And said: “I am delighted by this nomination.  My role is a joy to play. He is a true believer in the good in people, even if that causes him to be blind to their failings. He holds up a light of honour and honesty but the world is constantly trying to put it out. He is honest, complicated and full-hearted. It’s a heart wrenching play about secrets and lies, family and the fallibility of human nature”.

It’s 1947 and successful ‎businessman Joe Keller and his wife Kate are living the American dream in their idyllic suburban neighbourhood. Summer wedding plans are afoot for their son and his fiancée. Shadows of the war are slowly fading. But nothing‎ lasts forever. And a familiar visitor arrives to unbury secrets from the past, which will tear their lives apart…

This compelling masterpiece, based on a true story, established Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman, The Crucible) as one of the greatest playwrights of the 20th century.

All My Sons is directed by Douglas Rintoul (Macbeth, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), designed by Amy Jane Cook  (Jelly Fish, The National Theatre), with lighting design by Stephen Pemble (Neville’s Island, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), sound design by Helen Atkinson (Grief is the Thing with Feathers, The Barbican, St Ann’s Warehouse, US), accent coaching by Joel Trill (A Taste of Honey, Trafalgar Studios), and intimacy and fight direction by Haruka Kuroda (The Last Temptation of Boris Johnson, Park Theatre).

Director Douglas Rintoul says:

“We are delighted that Oliver, a local artist residing in Thurrock, has been recognised for this award for his portrayal of Chris which is heart wrenching. He is our moral centrepiece in this drama which gives us insight into a family we can all still recognise over 70 years on”.  

“Against our contemporary context of division, post-truth, climate change and the pandemic, this play speaks to us more than ever, asking us to look at the values and beliefs we hold about our own lives and the world around us”  

Don’t miss your chance to book tickets, click here.

After such a difficult two years it is great to be participating in the Brentwood Half Marathon & Fun Run this year to raise vital funds for our Dementia Friendly shows and creating a new support network for families affected.

Dementia is one of the leading challenges facing older people and their families today and we understand the positive impact theatre can have on their lives. Theatre can relieve stress and loneliness, be stimulating and challenging and aid in their communication to carers and family members.

Everyone should be able to enjoy Theatre. Your donation will go towards our Dementia Friendly Shows, adapting our main house performances for those living with Dementia, and our foyer shows such as Down Memory Lane, connecting those living with dementia to the arts.

In this unprecedented time, we need your support now more then ever. If you are able to, please consider making a donation and supporting this brilliant work.

This year we have Doug (Artistic Director) & Dominic (Trustee) running the Half Marathon with Tom (Relationships Officer), Alison (Supporter), Sara (Trustee), Peter (Head of Customer Services & Facilities) & Bella (Front of House) running the Fun Run (5km).

You can donate to our cause by visiting our JustGiving page here or donate through our box office on 01708 443333. If you would like to find out more information on supporting us please email Tom Lowe at toml@queens-theatre.co.uk 

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is excited to announce that Princess Essex will be going on tour to Essex community venues and audiences can see it for FREE.

Based on the little-known, true story of Princess Dinubolu, Princess Essex is the funny and dynamic tale of the first black woman to ever enter a beauty pageant in the UK.

Building on the success of last year’s community tour of Tales From The Thames, Princess Essex will now also tour to venues in Grays, Aveley, Basildon, Pitsea and West Tilbury. The production is part of Creative Estuary Co-commissions – the initiative which aims to showcase 60 miles of the North Kent and South Essex region as one of the UK’s most dynamic and creative areas in the whole of the UK – working on this occasion with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch (QTH).

Princess Essex is written and performed by Anne Odeke. As a writer, Anne has recently represented Essex in Radio 4’s latest series United Kingdoms. She has also been commissioned by Storyhouse theatre in Chester, to write an adaptation of Little Women set in World War One which will play this coming summer at Grosvenor Park. As a performer, Anne has recently worked with the RSC, as well as Shakespeare’s Globe, the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Birmingham Rep & the Royal Lyceum.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex. 1908. Tired of life, black Essex girl Joanna, decides to take matters into her own hands and enter herself into one of the country’s most prestigious beauty pageants, disguised as a Senegalese Princess. A true story, that not only asks us to question the misconception of the Essex girl, but invites audience members to consider who are the gate keepers of history and why have so many incredible black stories been hidden.

The team behind the project include: Director – Robin Belfield (RSC), Assistant Director – Michelle Payne (Squad Goals), Designer – Gemma Compton (All my Sons, QTH), Lighting Designer – Ben Garcia (Museum of the Homeless), Sound Designer – Hattie North (Shuga Fixx vs the Illuminati), Technical Stage Manager – Jade Ayres (Peter Pan). The play has been created with public funding from Arts Council England.

The show is also in partnership with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, The Mercury Theatre Colchester and the South Essex African Caribbean Association (SEACA). The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport funds the Cultural Development Fund which is administered by Arts Council England.

Princess Essex will first open at The Mercury Theatre Colchester before it then tours South Essex from 26 February to 11 March. The venues and locations have been chosen as places where local people rarely, if ever, have the opportunity to see live theatre performed. Princess Essex will play at the Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch on 27 February. Tickets for the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch event will cost £10* and the March events will be FREE (ticket still required). To book, call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or book online at www.queens-theatre.co.uk

(*+65p QNext fee)

LISTINGS

Mercury Theatre, Colchester CO1 1PT – Saturday 19 February at 7.30pm – Tickets: £8 – https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/

The Balmoral Community Centre, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 7AU – Date and time: Saturday 26 February at 7.30pm – Tickets: £10 (+65p QNext fee)

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, RM11 1QT – Date and time: Sunday 27 February at 7.30pm – Tickets: £10 (+65p QNext fee)

Tyrells Hall Working Men’s Club, Grays, RM17 6EY – Date and time: Tuesday 1 March at 7.30pm – Tickets: Free (ticket still required)

Aveley Community Hub, RM15 4BY – Date and time: Thursday 3 March at 7.30pm – Tickets: Free (ticket still required)

The Place, Pitsea Leisure Centre, Basildon, SS13 3DU – Date and time: Saturday 5 March at 7.30pm – Tickets: Free (ticket still required)

Wat Tyler Centre, Pitsea, SS16 4UH – Date and time: Sunday 6 March at 2pm – Tickets: Free (ticket still required)

West Tilbury Village Hall, RM18 8UD – Date and time: Friday 11 March at 7.30pm – Tickets: Free (ticket still required)

Creative Estuary Co-commissions text:

Creative Estuary supports a wide range of cultural projects with new commissions for Estuary-based producers and artists, from activity for emerging cultural activists to large scale commissions with a diverse mix of partners. The Co-commissions raise widespread awareness of existing creative talent across the region and support creative practitioners and organisations to make and present new work. We are committed to engaging our local communities to contribute to their creative identity and will give artists, organisations and creative practitioners opportunities and support to help them realise their creative ambitions. The Co-commissions create opportunities for creative innovation and new cultural production – we want to capture imagination and provide opportunities for greater collaboration and knowledge sharing. For more information visit www.creativeestuary.com.

About Creative Estuary text:

CREATIVE ESTUARY has a vision to forge a new future founded on creative energy and innovation, along the length of the Thames Estuary. The project is supported by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and led by the University of Kent on behalf of a consortium of public sector and cultural organisations. They include the South East Local Enterprise Partnership (SELEP), Kent and Essex County Councils, the Greater London Authority, 11 local authority areas represented by Greater North Kent Partnership and opportunity South Essex, South East Creative Economy Network (SECEN), University of Essex, Locate in Kent and cultural organisations Metal and Cement Fields. In early 2019 the University of Kent was awarded £4.3m from the DCMS Cultural Development Fund on behalf of the partners. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport funds the Cultural Development Fund which is administered by Arts Council England.

For more information about Creative Estuary, visit www.creativeestuary.com,  Twitter @creativeestuary / Linkedin / creative-estuary / Instagram @creativeestuary

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is overjoyed to announce Romford McDonalds as principal sponsor of this year’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. This sponsorship will play a vital role in creating an unforgettable show and help 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.’

Mathew Russell, Executive Director at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch said, ‘A massive thank you to Romford McDo‎nalds for supporting the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch pantomime for a third brilliant year. Pantomime is the highlight of the year for many thousands of members of our community. We have really enjoyed this partnership growing and look forward to working together to make the partnership shine throughout 2022!’

Returning from last year’s magical panto, Sleeping Beauty will be written by Andrew Pollard and feature original music by Tom Self. Both are back with us following last year’s hit show, Aladdin.
For over 65 years Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has been creating magical pantomimes. You can guarantee that all the family will all enjoy this festive staple, which mixes slap-stick entertainment with the sparkle of a West End show.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch announce casting for the 10^th anniversary production of Tom Wells award- winning, irresistibly funny and tender play, The Kitchen Sink (17 Mar – 2 Apr 2022).

Playing Martin is Ken Bradshaw (War Horse, The National Theatre), with Sally George as Kath (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Park Theatre), Dominic Jones as Billy (Growth, Paines Plough/UK Tour), Joseph Reed as Pete (The Nobodies, Chalk Line Theatre/UK Tour), and Matilda Tucker as Sophie (Dangerous Liaisons, Playground/STARZ).

Things aren’t going to plan for one Yorkshire family. Martin’s milk float is falling apart and something’s up with Kath’s sink. Billy’s trying to get into art school with a portrait of Dolly Parton. Sophie’s dreaming of her black belt whilst Pete, a local plumber, is quietly falling in love. Amidst the dramas and the dirty dishes, something has to give…

Playwright Tom Wells work includes: Big Big Sky (Hampstead Theatre, 2021); Stuff (National Theatre Connections Festival, 2019); Drip, with music composed by Matthew Robins (Boundless Theatre, 2017/8); Broken Biscuits (Live Theatre/Paines Plough UK tour, 2016); Folk (Birmingham Rep & tour, 2016); Jumpers for Goalposts (Watford Palace Theatre, 2013); The Kitchen Sink (Bush Theatre, 2011) and Me, As A Penguin (Arcola Theatre, 2010). He received critical acclaim for The Kitchen Sink winning the George Devine Award and the Most Promising Playwright Award at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.

★★★★★ ‘Comic, poignant and utterly gripping’ – Evening Standard

‘I cannot recommend it too highly’– Charles Spencer – Daily Telegraph

The Kitchen Sink will be directed by Caroline Leslie (The Wipers Times, The Watermill Theatre, The Arts Theatre & UK Tour), designed by Zoë Hurwitz (We Anchor in Hope, The Bunker Theatre), with lighting design by Stephen Pemble (All My Sons, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch) and sound design and music composed by Jack Baxter (Yes So I Said Yes, The Finborough Theatre).

Director Caroline Leslie says: “The family in this awesomely funny play are a bit like the coastline they live on, under attack from erosion; not by the sea itself but by the collapse of local businesses and a lack of investment in what was once a thriving economy and popular tourist destination. Like the crumbling coast, the family has to work out what the changes are that it needs to make in order to survive. Full of pride, humour and tenderness, this timely play has deeper undercurrents that explore how we can feel stuck in our co-ordinates and what it takes to make a leap into unknown waters”.

“I think this play should really chime for our audiences. Tom Wells understands that everyone’s family can be brilliant, messy and a bit dysfunctional all at once, which makes the play instantly familiar, hilarious, and thought provoking. It’s a hopeful play for troubled times that looks at how we support and challenge each other in our chosen units, and the trials and often comic tribulations of what it is to go through life together in uncertain, changing and challenging times. It’s a real honour to be directing it for The Queen’s Theatre”.

Likened to the plays of Alan Bennett don’t miss this affectionate and sweet yet often hilarious portrait of working-class family life. To book your tickets and for more information about the Theatre visit queens-theatre.co.uk.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has joined over 100 theatres UK wide for a new campaign, for which The National Lottery is providing up to £2 million to subsidise over 150,000 tickets across the UK. During March, National Lottery players can get 2-for-1 theatre tickets for performances of The Kitchen Sink. Tickets are available to purchase via loveyourlocaltheatre.com

The theatre will also be providing an Audio Described performance (02 Apr) with Audio Description available via headset at every performance from 21 Mar, a Dementia Friendly performance (24 Mar) and a Relaxed Performance (26 Mar) for more details visit the website.

Sleeping Beauty announced as Queen’s Theatre’s 2022 pantomime 

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is delighted to announce this year’s magical, fun-packed pantomime will be Sleeping Beauty. The show will run from 24 November 2022 until 1 January 2023.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has been producing top-quality, traditional pantomime for more than 65 years. You can guarantee that the family will all enjoy this festive treat, which mixes slap-stick entertainment with the sparkle of a West End show.

By popular demand, this year’s magical panto will be written by Andrew Pollard and feature original music by Tom Self. Both are back with us following the success of last year’s hit show, Aladdin.

‘A funny, charming, and well produced show that captures the spirit of the season’

Everything Theatre, on last year’s panto Aladdin.

Tickets go on sale Monday 7 February 2022 at 10am.

Sleeping Beauty will play at the Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch from

24 November 2022 – 1 January 2023. Tickets cost from £12.50 – £34 (+65p QNext fee). To book, call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or book online at www.queens-theatre.co.uk

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is today announcing that after six very successful years‎, Douglas Rintoul is leaving the post of Artistic Director at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, in mid May 2022, to take up the new leadership role at New Wolsey Ipswich. Before then, he will direct previously announced major revivals of ‘All My Sons’ and ‘The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 – The Musical’.

‎Douglas Rintoul, Artistic Director, said:

‘I’ve had the best time at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. It is a special organisation that’s deeply embedded in its communities, and I’m proud of what we’ve achieved. It’s been an honour to work with our brilliant staff, trustees, partners and communities and to support our talented local artists. I’ve loved being able to make work that’s not been seen only in Hornchurch but across the country and abroad and I can’t wait to see what the organisation does next’.

Mathew Russell, Executive Director, said:

‘It’s been a privilege to work closely with Doug over the last five years, and for us both to be part of such an extraordinary period of change: establishing programmes like Essex on Stage, Outer Limits and Havering Changing; reaching 45% new audiences; as founding Theatre partner with the National Theatre on Public Acts; in expanding our co-producing, touring and off-site work; transforming the building itself; and diversifying those we work with and reach. It was a shared highlight to see QTH recognised as London Theatre of the Year, the first Outer London borough theatre to be awarded this status.’

Sara Thompson, Chair, said:

‘On behalf of the board, staff and ‎stakeholders, we owe Doug a huge vote of thanks for his amazing efforts, boundless talent and dedication to the work of the charity, not only in helping to transform the theatre in so many ways, but in directing and overseeing such a string of award-winning productions enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people. Like our artists and audiences, we will be very sad to see him leave, but proud that he’s moving on to lead one of our closest partner theatres, meaning we can continue to collaborate into the future. We wish him the very best of success.’