• A regional premiere by an acclaimed Romford playwright, a landmark revival of an epic British musical and the second major production of a new comedy
• A new two year programme of work, Essex On Stage
• A partnership with‎ the National Theatre on the next Public Acts production, As You Like It

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has today announced its exciting spring programme of produced work will feature a regional premiere by an acclaimed Romford playwright, a landmark revival of an epic British musical and the second major production of a new comedy.

The season opens with the sequin-studded Kiss Me Quickstep by Amanda Whittington, playing from 22 February – 9 March. The Queen’s Theatre is co-producing this warm hearted ballroom drama with the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich (13 – 23 March), following successful collaborations on Once, Rope, The Ladykillers, Worst Wedding Ever and Made in Dagenham. The production will also tour to Theatr Clwyd (26 – 30 March); the first time the Queen’s Theatre has worked with this major theatre.

Amanda Whittington says, ‘I’m delighted Kiss Me Quickstep will be dancing into the Queen’s Theatre next year.  The show pulls back the glitter curtain on competitive dance, revealing what it takes to make a ballroom champion, on and off the floor. I can’t wait to see the new production hot-footing across the country, too.’ 

From 14 – 30 March, the Queen’s Theatre is producing the regional premiere of the sharply funny comedy In Basildon by Romford playwright David Eldridge. The theatre is excited to be bringing this explosively knotty drama home to its roots after its premiere at the Royal Court Theatre in 2012. The production will be directed by Douglas Rintoul, Artistic Director at the Queen’s Theatre.

The Queen’s Theatre is partnering with both Hull Truck Theatre and Oldham Coliseum Theatre for the first time to produce a landmark revival of the award-winning musical The Hired Man by Melvyn Bragg and Howard Goodall. This heroic tale of love, betrayal and loyalty will run at the Hornchurch venue from 27 April – 18 May, in Hull from 23 May – 15 June and in Oldham from 20 June – 6 July.

Howard Goodall says, ‘I am absolutely thrilled about this revival: three brilliant regional theatres, a wonderful creative team and a chance for a new generation of theatre-goers to see this piece that Melvyn Bragg and I first put in front of an audience 45 years ago.’

Theatregoers can enjoy all three of these productions with a cost-effective Jump the Q season ticket from £45, that’s just £15 per show! (A £1.95 QNew Transformation Fee will apply to each season ticket). The season ticket goes on sale from Thursday 25 October and individual tickets can be purchased from Friday 2 November.

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. It includes commissioning new plays, establishing a network of venues, touring drama about Essex across Essex for new audiences, organising local events to develop talent and making life changing projects with communities.

The programme will kick off with the regional premiere of David Eldridge’s In Basildon in March 2019, never before performed professionally in the part of the world it tells the story of. Alongside this will be rehearsed readings of new plays in development from three exciting Essex playwrights – Sadie Hasler, Kelly Jones and Dan Murphy – which you can hear in one day on Saturday 23 March.

About her play, Slaying the Essex Girl (working title), Sadie Hasler says, ‘what happens when a toffy London type decides to write a newspaper piece about Essex girls and gets it all wrong? Revolt, that’s what. Seriously. Things really kick off.’

Set in Dagenham, Kelly Jones’ TAMMY is a play about female sexuality, family secrets and the fractured relationship between mother and daughter. The play won the Wales Drama Award (BBC Writersroom and NTW) in 2014.

Dan Murphy’s Legacy follows a group of builders working on the 20th floor of a luxury apartment block in Stratford, overlooking the Olympic Stadium on ‘Super Saturday’ 2012. As the world is glued to Britain’s greatest sporting day, the builders watch on as the place they call home becomes unrecognisable.

Essex on Stage has been made possible by the generous support of The Clothworkers’ Foundation. Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is the recipient of the 2018 Clothworkers’ Theatre Award, a competitive annual prize given to a regional producing theatre, that has only ever been awarded 5 times.

David Eldridge says, ‘I am delighted that the first revival of In Basildon is being mounted in Essex at my local theatre and this spring is a fascinating and momentous time for Douglas Rintoul to revive my family comedy drama, as we Brexit. It will be nearly nine years on from Len’s passing and when Barry, Maureen, Ken and Doreen and the rest of the family were beginning to argue over cuts and immigration from Europe, West Ham United and the small matter of Len’s will as they gather in Basildon. The Queen’s Theatre occupies a special place in my heart. It is where I did my experience aged 18, and it’s where I was the late Bob Carlton’s Literary Associate for six years, running the theatre’s writers’ groups and advising on new work for the program. I can’t wait to be back with a play of my own.’

Public Acts

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.

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. Collaborating with Douglas on this production will be Pericles director Emily Lim who assumes the role of Public Acts Director for the National Theatre.

Other key highlights

The Queen’s Theatre is also producing DNA by Dennis Kelly (7 – 14 February), a dark modern day black comedy tailored specifically for young people. Under Douglas Rintoul’s direction, DNA will be performed by final year students from the BA (Hons) Acting CDT course from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

The theatre has also unveiled a selection of key visiting productions for this season. Three Sat Under The Banyan Tree, a new contemporary production for children aged 7+ by Tara Arts and Polka Theatre (25 – 26 January); Approaching Empty, a razor-sharp new drama produced by Tamasha, Kiln Theatre & Live Theatre (2 – 6 April) and the extraordinary new hip-hop family musical, In The Willows, produced by Metta Theatre and Exeter Northcott Theatre (22 – 26 May).

Members of the Queen’s Theatre’s Young Company will be participating for their sixth year in NT Connections 2019 with Chaos by Laura Lomas, directed by Will Hudson. The theatre’s Take Part Festival also returns for its second year (14 – 19 April) featuring fantastic work performed by its youth theatre and other local groups. The week will comprise of its annual dance showcase First Feat, a One Act Play Festival and six youth companies presenting brand new work as part of the national NT Connections Festival 2019.

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

On Saturday 27 October we’re running an exclusive Under 26’s event – packing in a workshop, pizza, the evening performance of LOVE and a post-show Q+A! All this for only £8.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch ‘Up Close’ events give you the opportunity to explore high quality theatre up-close, with additional activity to question and examine the world of the play and its creative process.

To book, contact the Queen’s Theatre Box Office on 01708 443333, and quote ‘LOVE – Up Close’.

Workshop starts at 5pm, and the evening is due to finish approximately 9:30pm. Spaces are limited.

16:45 – arrival

17:00 – 18:00 = workshop

18:00 – 19:00 = pizza

19:30 – 21:00 = performance

21:00 – 21:30 = Q&A

LOVE by Alexander Zeldin is co-produced by the National Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre. It premiered at the National Theatre in 2016. For more information about the production visit: https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/love/

(Please note LOVE has an age guidance of 15+)

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has today announced the cast for its revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s chilling ghost story, Haunting Julia, which runs from 1 – 17 November. For those who love all things paranormal, it’s the perfect entertainment to delve into to keep the Halloween spirit alive for a little longer this autumn.

The production sees Matthew Spencer’s return to the Hornchurch stage, following his performance in the Queen’s Theatre’s world premiere production of The Invisible Man last year. His other credits include 1984, Playhouse Theatre & International Tour and The Woman in Black, Fortune Theatre & Tour. He will be joined by Sam Cox as Joe (A Woman of No Importance, Vaudeville Theatre, West End and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Young Vic) and Clive Llewellyn as Ken (Twist of Gold, Polka Theatre and Beckett In Brixton, National Theatre).

Haunting Julia tells the story of Julia Lukin, a nineteen year-old musical prodigy – nicknamed ‘Little Miss Mozart’ in the tabloids. She was composing symphonies aged eight. By nineteen the world was at her feet… until her dead body was found mysteriously in a dingy attic. Twelve years on and her father Joe has never come to terms with this. Was it really suicide? Or was someone else with Julia the night she died? Joe wants answers and tonight he will get them…

This hauntingly tense study of grief and the supernatural is punctuated with trademark wit from Alan Ayckbourn. Ayckbourn is an Olivier and Tony Award winning playwright and has written more than 80 plays which have been produced in London’s West End and New York, as well as around the world. Ayckbourn’s inspiration for Haunting Julia came from the thrilling stage adaptation of The Woman in Black, written by Susan Hill, adapted for the stage by Stephen Mallatratt. The original production of Haunting Julia was performed at the Stephen Joseph Theatre and had its first performance on 12 April 1994, with a London premiere on 27 May 2011.

A Sign Language Interpreted Performance of Haunting Julia will take place on Wednesday 14 November at 7.30pm and Audio Description is available via a headset at all performances from 5 Nov.

‘As exciting as The Woman in Black’ The Guardian

Haunting Julia runs at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 1 – 17 November. Tickets are £12.50 – £29 (plus an additional 65p QNew Transformation fee), with £8 tickets available for Under 26s (Tue – Thu & previews).

For more information about Haunting Julia at the Queen’s Theatre call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/haunting-julia/

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.