To encourage more young people to experience professional theatre, the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is offering £8 tickets for Under 26s for all three of its in-house productions this season and beyond; Rope, Kindertransport and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

The Queen’s Theatre is passionate about making theatre accessible to everyone and believes that, by reducing the financial barrier, more under 26s can enjoy an evening at the theatre. The theatre hopes this will also encourage people to see theatre for the first time or to be more adventurous and see productions they might not be familiar with.

£8 tickets can be booked for the theatre’s upcoming production Patrick Hamilton’s chilling thriller Rope (15 February – 3 March). It will star James Sutton (Hollyoaks), Janet Amsden, Cara Chase, Sam Jenkins-Shaw, George Kemp, Fred Lancaster, Nico Pimparé and Phoebe Sparrow.

Also this season, young people can see Diane Samuels’ heart-warming drama Kindertransport (8 – 24 March) and the feel-good musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (27 April – 26 May) by Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott for just £8 per show.

For more information and to book tickets visit queens-theatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01708 443333.

Hollyoaks and Emmerdale actor James Sutton is playing Charles Granillo in Patrick Hamilton’s chilling thriller Rope. With rehearsals now underway, he shares what attracted him to this production and how it feels to be swapping TV for the stage.

1) What first attracted you to Patrick Hamilton’s play, Rope?
‘I remember watching Hitchcock’s film version years ago and thinking it was brilliant, really tense and atmospheric, it really stayed with me. So when the opportunity to be part of a new production came about, I didn’t take much convincing.’

2) You’re playing Charles Granillo. Tell us more about this character.
‘He’s quite highly strung and has a lot of reservations about the murder they’ve committed. He’s been seduced by Brandon and throughout the play is struggling to keep himself together. He’s also very handsome.’

3) What are you most looking forward to about working on this show?
‘Its been a long time since I’ve been involved in a proper rehearsal period, so I’d have to say that.’

4) You worked with Director Douglas Rintoul whilst at drama school. Tell me a bit more about the production you worked on together.
‘Douglas directed my first show at Drama school, As You Like It and it was one of the most important plays for me personally. I was a bag of insecurities and nerves throughout my training and to be thrown in at the deep end so early in my third year, tackling Shakespeare, and playing a romantic lead, gave me my confidence back at a time when I felt very unsure of myself as a performer. It was also an awful lot of fun and Douglas was brilliant with us.’

5) Who are your influences in the theatre world?
I’ve always been a huge fan of Shakespeare. I played smaller roles in open air productions when I was a teenager and I used to watch in awe. The professionals delivering the words with such grace and ease, it blew my mind. I also love new writing. There’s a lot of new playwrights and writers coming out of Liverpool, where I live, and the importance of some of that work and those new voices being heard, is huge.

6) You’ve had an extensive career in TV with many people knowing you from Hollyoaks and Emmerdale . Are you looking to pursue more theatre roles in the future?
‘I am. It’s where I started and it feels like home being on stage. I’ve been very lucky to have worked on some wonderful dramas and TV shows, but nothing beats a live audience.’

Rope runs at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 15 February – 3 March. For more information and tickets call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or click here.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is delighted to announce that due to phenomenal demand, it is extending its run of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert by a week. This regional professional premiere of this glamorously feel-good musical by Stephan Elliot and Allan Scott will now play at the Queen’s Theatre from 27 April – 26 May. Booking for these additional dates is now on sale.

This uplifting and heart-warming tale has it all – outrageous costumes, flamboyant choreography and plenty of sass. It’s jam-packed with 70s, 80s and 90s dance floor favourites including I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, I Say A Little Prayer and Finally. So hop aboard the party bus; it’s time to feel fabulous!

For more information about Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and to book tickets call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or click here https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert/

Casting has been announced for the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich production of Patrick Hamilton’s gripping thriller, Rope.

James Sutton, who is best-known for playing John Paul McQueen in Hollyoaks a role he was thrice nominated for a British Soap Award and shortlisted for a National Television Award – and Ryan Lamb in Emmerdale, has been cast as Charles Granillo in this chilling play. He will be joined by Janet Amsden, Cara Chase, Sam Jenkins-Shaw, George Kemp, Fred Lancaster, Nico Pimparé and Phoebe Sparrow. It runs in Hornchurch from 15 February – 3 March.

Based on a 1920’s real-life case, this dark classic was filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1948 and remains to this day one of the most tightly coiled of thrillers. It will be directed by the Queen’s Theatre’s Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul, who directed James Sutton in As You Like It at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

For more information about the forthcoming season at the Queen’s Theatre and to book tickets call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or click here https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/rope/

Did you experience the Kindertransport 80 years ago? Was your relative one of the thousands of children rescued through the Kindertransport before the outbreak of World War II? If so, and you’re local to Essex / East London, the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch wants to hear from you.

To mark the 80^th anniversary of the Kindertransport, the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is bringing this rich piece of history to the stage. It is estimated that 10,000 children were evacuated from Europe into the UK through the Kindertransport to escape the threat of World War II. The train came through Harwich to London Liverpool Street with many children being rehomed in Essex.

The theatre is reaching out to people in Essex and East London who experienced the Kindertransport or know of someone who had a connection with the rescue mission to get in touch. They will be able to share stories and memories and have the chance to connect with other individuals who have come forward.

To share your experience with the theatre please call Rachel as soon as possible on 01708 462376 or email rachel@queens-theatre.co.uk and she will be happy to answer any further questions.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is co-producing Diane Samuels’ extraordinary and haunting play, Kindertransport, which she wrote 25 years ago, with Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg in association with Selladoor Productions. Kindertransport runs in Hornchurch from 8 – 24 March, plays at Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg from 27 – 31 March and then embarks on a UK tour to the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich, Richmond Theatre and Manchester Opera House.

To book tickets for Kindertransport at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/kindertransport/ 

Spring/Summer Jump the Q Season Tickets are on sale.

Enjoy ALL THREE of our in-house productions this autumn from just £14 per show. You’ll be able to get the best seats at the best prices with our Jump the Q season ticket, it’s the most cost-effective way for you to get your theatre fix in the coming months.

The season opens with the spine-tingling thriller, Rope. Running from 15 February – 3 March, this dark classic by Patrick Hamilton was filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1948 and is based on a 1920’s real-life case. It will be directed by our Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul and co-produced with New Wolsey Theatre. (Previous collaborations include Made in Dagenham, Worst Wedding Ever and The Ladykillers).  

Following this year’s acclaimed revival of The Crucible, the Queen’s Theatre is partnering with Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg again to produce Diane Samuels’ heart-warming classic Kindertransport in association with Selladoor Productions. Running from 8 – 24 March, it marks the 80^th anniversary of the Kindertransport and 25 years since the deeply moving and timely modern classic was written.

Finally, disco royalty rolls into town with the glamorous regional professional premiere of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert the Musical from 27 April – 19 May. This uplifting tale is written by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott and directed by Douglas Rintoul. Based on the smash-hit movie, audiences are promised a highly entertaining new take on this iconic musical.

Theatregoers can enjoy all three of these productions with a cost-effective Jump the Q season ticket from £42 (£14 per show). The season ticket goes on sale from Saturday 11 November and individual tickets can be purchased from Tuesday 21 November. Offer ends on Sat 3 Mar.

For more information and to book your Jump the Q season ticket click here or phone our Box Office on 01708 443333.

Panto season is one of the most joyous and magical times of the year and no one should feel excluded from enjoying the wonders of Pantomime.

Following such positive feedback from providing a Relaxed Performance and a Dementia-Friendly performance at last year’s panto Cinderella, the Queen’s Theatre is delighted to be offering these two specially adapted performances again for this year’s festive extravaganza, Beauty and the Beast.

These adapted performances welcomes people of all ages who will benefit from a relaxed, quieter and supportive environment including people with an Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders, a learning disability or Dementia.

The theatre welcomes those who may usually be prevented from visiting the theatre to attend these tailored performances. Relaxed performances provide a comfortable setting for audience members who might find it difficult to follow the usual conventions of theatre etiquette. By creating an informal environment it will enable patrons to just be themselves without the need for families or carers to worry about the effect it may have on others around them. It is assured that audience noise is permitted throughout the performance and individuals who may feel overwhelmed are free to leave to a ‘chill out’ area in the foyer and return when they feel ready at any point during the show. House lights will be kept on throughout the performances, extremely loud noises and flashing lights will be removed or reduced and additional staff will be on hand to provide extra assistance front of house.

The Relaxed Performance will take place on Tuesday 2 January at 5.30pm and the Dementia-Friendly Performance will take place on Wednesday 3 January at 1.30pm. Tickets for these Relaxed Performances are £12.50. To book tickets please call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or stop by in person to discuss your requirements.

Written by Andrew Pollard and directed by Martin Berry, Beauty and the Beast is packed with sparkling sets, colourful costumes, tunes that you all know, lots of laughter and tailored audience participation.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Parents wanting to make the festive season even more magical for their little ones this year will not want to miss ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas from 6 – 23 December. Created by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Rainham Hall National Trust, this fully immersive show sees families enter the bedroom of a Christmas mad seven-year-old. Youngsters will help him finish decorating his room, turning it into the cosiest, Christmassy bedroom in the world! Join in the countdown to Christmas and discover which toy he finds in his patchwork quilt advent calendar, and don’t forget to listen out for the elf bells! It is performed at Rainham Hall’s charming, historic hayloft and is suitable for accompanied 3 – 7 year olds.

Based on the famous poem by Clement Clarke Moore, local actor Samuel Ward-Smith will perform the story about a child’s encounter with Santa Claus and his desperation to see him again. Samuel Ward-Smith is a recent graduate from Mountview Academy and has a strong association with the Queen’s Theatre. He was a member of its youth theatre, QYouth for 8 years (2005 – 2013) and completed an apprenticeship with the theatre before going to drama school.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas takes inspiration from festive celebrations during the 1940s to coincide with Rainham Hall’s Remembering the Day Nursery exhibition. It celebrates the time when the Hall operated as a state-run wartime nursery for local children between 1943 and 1954.

Written and directed by the Queen’s Theatre’s Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul, this unique experience will get everyone, young and old, peering a little further into the sky this Christmas Eve.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas will be performed at Rainham Hall’s historic hayloft from 6 – 23 December. Tickets are £7.50 for all weekday performances and £10 at weekends. Performances are at 11.30am and 1.30pm with an additional 3.30pm performance at weekends. To book, call the Queen’s Theatre’s Box Office on 01708 443333 or go online at https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/twas-night-christmas/

Clem Garritty, Artistic Director of award-winning theatre company Kill the Beast, talks about his fresh adaptation of H.G.Wells’ sci-fi classic The Invisible Man. He gives a little taste of what you can expect from this gripping thriller and how it’s different from previous stage productions.

What was it about H.G.Wells’ original book The Invisible Man that appealed to you?

I read the book and it’s really thrilling. I would say, I was really surprised by how much of a thriller it was and I was also really impressed by the science of it all. It was written with an obvious sense of detail of science and obviously he’s the father of science fiction so that makes a lot of sense. The thing that I got from reading it was that it was an adventure story and that for me is always really thrilling when you go and watch shows on stage.

What makes your version of The Invisible Man so different to previous adaptations?

In terms of what makes it different, there aren’t really any women in the original text.  I’m also a director as well as a writer and am always very keen to not solely make work that is about men, and white men. It feels like the majority of mainstream theatre ends up accidently being [that] by proxy. I wanted to create a strong female foil for Griffin, the lead character, because also, it didn’t necessarily feel like he had that many domestic drivers. I wanted to explore that a little bit and created the character of Lucy. She is also a scientist and isn’t just the sort of Inn Keeper or cleaner which were the only female roles in the original book.  I also wanted to explore how Griffin is outside of the classroom, out of his experiments.

The thing that really comes through in the book is the mix of the pursuit of knowledge – how a very smart man finishing a PHD and by exploring a strand of physics, can end up going mad at the potential power it gives. That comes across amazingly in the book. When I talked to Ryan, the director, that was something that we really wanted to push and view how that’s told onstage. We spoke for a while about whether or not it should be a modern adaptation because a lot of it feels very applicable to today and the nature of being visible and being invisible. We did toy for a while with that. I felt very excited about writing and Ryan staging something that was a bit classic and old school. If you’ve never seen The Invisible Man before then come and see it playing out on the rooftops of London and this whole Victorian, gothic aesthetic!

We were given an amazing design aesthetic so it was nice to see how Lily the designer has interpreted that. It also leads you to finding fresh new ways of doing that. It’s not just black, soot,  street beggars and cobbles stones etc. So yea I think in terms of keeping it in the original context actually probably led us to more original ways of telling that story I think.

Tell me a bit more about your award-winning theatre company Kill the Beast

We adapted The Boys that Kick Pigs and it all kicked off from there. We took the show up to the Edinburgh Fringe at the Pleasance and then made a few more shows after that. He Had Hairy Hands was an original piece about a werewolf detective movie onstage, very ridiculous! It’s a small crew of four performers and me. We all write the scripts together and combine our love of horror films and British comedy TV shows. That sort of led us down a strange, weird little path that I think not many people are doing. We got noticed just because no one else was really doing it, which was lovely. It’s been bubbling on from there for about 5 years now. We did another show called Don’t Wake the Damp which we toured and played at the Soho Theatre recently. We are currently making our fourth show. We’re a small collective so we do everything ourselves. I design everything and we write everything between the five of us. I direct, the guys in the cast also write and compose songs and music, and we produce everything ourselves.

How has the process been working on The Invisible Man? It’s a much larger scale production with lots more people involved

Slightly terrifying! On the first day of rehearsals they revealed what the model box looks like and I was like ‘Oh My God’ this stage is huge! I’ve written this on my own. Normally, with Kill the Beast we write as a group, as a collective. When we first started I was quite nervous. I had a meeting with Ryan the director and John the Magic Consultant and I nervously said ‘How should I write this? Should I wait until I’ve got a design and know what tricks we can and can’t do?’ And they were both very quick to say ‘No, go away and write the show you want to write and we’ll make the magic work, we’ll figure out a way of staging this’. It’s very cool having such a large, professional, hardworking team squirreling away for months, to put your words onto a stage and make them look more amazing than they are. I really am excited to see it! You’re getting two for the price of one. You’re going to see this thriller play on stage, but you’re also getting a magic show out of it. Hopefully you’ll be looking at it going ‘How the hell are they doing that!?’  which would be lovely, I’m hoping audiences do!

The show runs at the Queen’s Theatre from 28 October to 18 November. For more information and tickets visit: https://queens-theatre.co.uk/whats-on/show/the-invisible-man/