In light of the latest government advice about COVID-19, we can confirm that all performances until at least 26 Aug have been postponed (and in some cases cancelled)‎.

The affected performances are listed below:

You can also make a donation to the Theatre here.Thank you so much for your support and patience during a period of great uncertainty – it’s very much appreciated.If your show has been cancelled, and you are able to consider donating the value of your tickets to the theatre, rather than seeking a refund, this would help us greatly at a difficult time. We’re incredibly grateful for anything you can do in this respect.As a much-loved charity serving the local community, the cancellation of lots of events at the theatre will be financially devastating for us, particularly as our public funding received represents less than 15% of the costs of running the theatre and putting on productions and participatory projects.Ticket holders will be contacted by the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch Box Office in the coming days – please wait to be contacted, as our small team will be very busy dealing with the impact of this unexpected news.

A call has gone out to all emerging and established live performance artists in Thurrock.

The Outer Limits artist development programme is coming to the Thameside Theatre in Grays in May for a day of performance, expert industry advice and opportunities for performance creatives across Thurrock to meet and connect.

The aim of the programme is to uncover, connect and help develop creative performance talent.
After similar successful events in Hornchurch and Southend, the programme comes to Thurrock on Sunday 24 May and is calling for performing artists to submit proposals for scratch or fully formed or work in progress performances.

Emerging or established theatre makers or performers who love, live in or are connected to Thurrock can submit a proposal for inclusion in Outer Limits Thurrock. Scratch performances can be up to 15 minutes in length and expenses up to £100 will be paid. Ready to go performances can be between 30-60 minutes in length and depending on the scale of the piece, will receive a performance fee up to £500. The theatre’s technical staff will be available to support performances.

The deadline for proposal submission is Friday, 20 March at 5pm. All submissions will be considered by the Outer Limits Thurrock steering group made up of industry professionals. To find out more and request a proposal form, email qthouterlimits@queens-theatre.co.uk

The Outer Limits is part of the two year Essex on Stage programme which is championing positive ideas about Essex, celebrating theatre made by working class people and raising aspirations for emerging artists from Essex and Outer East London. Essex on Stage is supported by The Clothworkers’ Foundation.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is thrilled to announce the cast for its production of Love Letters, a brand new musical written and directed by Douglas Rintoul. The production runs 24 April – 16 May. 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.

Natasha Lewis stars as Danni. She comes direct from Royal Shakespeare Company’s critically acclaimed musical adaptation of David Walliams’ book, The Boy In The Dress, which features music by Robbie Williams and Guy Chambers. Joining her as her love interest, Justin, is Alex Tomkins, who has just finished his run as the lead in the hit West-End musical School of Rock. The pair have been regulars at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, starring in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Made In Dagenham respectively.

Several others of the cast will be familiar to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch audiences, Molly-Grace Cutler, Claire Greenway, Claire Storey and Steve Simmonds, have all had brilliant roles in hit Queen’s Theatre musicals and pantomimes. Molly-Grace Cutler has starred in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Beauty and the Beast, Claire Greenway in Jack and the Beanstalk, Claire Storey in Steel Magnolias, Two and Two Make Sex, The Taming of the Shrew and Hayfever, and Steve Simmonds in Lend Me A Tenor, Twelfth Night, Made in Dagenham and Return to the Forbidden Planet.

Director Douglas Rintoul says ‘we’re thrilled to have so many familiar faces return to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. This storming company is made up of the crème de la crème of the actor-musician world, many coming straight off smash-hit shows. They’re going to make Love Letters a joyous and unmissable show.’

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.

Cast includes Molly-Grace Cutler (The Worst Witch, West End tour); Andrew Gallo (Sunny Afternoon, UK Tour); Claire Greenway (Sister Act, London Palladium), Jon House (Witness for the Prosecution, London County Hall), Natasha Lewis (The Boy in the Dress, RSC); Steve Simmonds (Return to the Forbidden Planet, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), Claire Storey (British Theatre Awards: Best Supporting Actress – Importance of Being Earnest, Nottingham Playhouse) and Alex Tomkins (School Of Rock, Gillian Lynne Theatre).

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is staging 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.

After successful innovative on-stage seating for Kiss Me Quickstep, DNA and Educating Rita, audiences will be able to get up close to the action once again, as the Theatre will be extending the stage into the auditorium to offer a truly unique and intimate viewing experience. The staging will bring to life the play’s pub setting, with 21 on-stage stools and bar tables. Audiences will also have the exciting chance to be served a range of drinks by members of the cast on stage pre-show and during the interval. It’s a theatre experience not to be missed!

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.

Love Letters plays at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 24 April – 16 May.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch have an amazing team running the Brentwood Half Marathon & Fun Run on Sunday 15 March all to raise vital funds for the theatre’s Dementia Friendly shows including our next production Maggie May and foyer performances, Down Memory Lane.

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 in relieving stress and loneliness, stimulating cognitive function and the senses, regaining a sense of self and aid in the communication to carers and family members.

You can support our fantastic runners Doug (Artistic Director), Sara (Trustee), Lauren & Holly (Admin), Peter (Head of Facilities), Alison (Chaperone) and Tom (Fundraising) will all be running. You can find our donation page here https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/QueensTheatreRunners2020

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is thrilled to announce that the first show of its Autumn 2020 season will be a revival of the National Theatre’s 2017 production of Beginning by David Eldridge. This will be the second play of David Eldridge’s produced by the Theatre, with 2019’s homecoming revival of In Basildon playing to national critical acclaim and opening the Theatre’s Essex On Stage initiative, an ambitious new two-year programme championing positive notions of Essex. Beginning will play at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 4-19 September 2020.

It’s the early hours of the morning and Danny from Upminster is the last straggler at Laura’s party. The flat’s in a mess. And so are they. One more drink?

Romford-born David Eldridge returns home with a ‘gorgeous new play’ (Independent) that takes a touching look at the first fragile moments of risking your heart and taking a chance.

David Eldridge says ‘I am thrilled that the tour of the revival of Polly Findlay’s magical National Theatre production of my play Beginning will begin its journey at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. It’s the theatre where I did work experience aged 18 and having a play on in RM11 feels like a homecoming of the most moving kind. I can’t wait.’

This tender‎ and funny critically acclaimed smash hit received its world premiere at the National Theatre before transferring to the West End. It’s being revived and relaunched by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch this Autumn, before embarking on a major national tour.

The announcement follows the news that Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has been named London Theatre of the Year at The Stage Awards. Under the directorship of Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul and Executive Director Mathew Russell, the organisation’s on-stage programme and off-stage community and outreach work have a symbiotic relationship. In 2019, the theatre produced 14 shows, with an estimated 45% of audience members attending for the first time.

Queen’s Angels will have 24 hour priority access to booking from Wednesday 19 February at 11am, with the show going on sale to the public from Thursday 20 February at 10am.

Queen’s Angels are those who regularly support our work by making monthly donations.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has announced that it is rolling out its £8 Under 26 concessions across all performances of its produced work!

The Theatre continues its commitment to engaging younger audiences, and making theatre accessible for all.

Upcoming productions with the £8 concessions include Shakespeare’s bloody thriller, Macbeth, jukebox music celebrating the best of Essex, Love Letters, and Romeo and Julie, a brand new play from the National Theatre and Sherman Theatre.

Find out more about what’s on offer for Under 26s here