1. The Theatre was Grade II listed, in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, one of only six sites nationally and the only site in London listed for this historic occasion. 2. We received 10 Offie award nominations and a UK Theatre award nomination in recognition of the quality of the work produced in Hornchurch, which included 9 new main stage productions, 4 of which were world premieres. 3. The Blueprint Festival of 12 new works was our biggest talent development project so far, supporting 60+ diverse creative practitioners. It included our largest offer of free theatre and reached 48% new bookers. 4. Our regional premiere co-production of Kinky Boots was the 2nd best-selling production in our history (pantomimes aside) and seen by more than 18,600 people. 5. Our world premiere production of QYouth Theatre musical Never Never saw 180 extraordinary young people performing on stage. 6. We established new projects with our communities, including a Memory Cafe for people living with dementia; a year round programme with students from New City College; Speak Up, a 3 year national programme made with young people; and a Creative Health partnership for Havering. 7. We helped tour the National Theatre into secondary schools in Havering, showcased Essex artists at The Bush in West London, and took Black Essex stories by Mia Jerome and Anne Odeke into community venues across South Essex and Havering. Our co-productions were seen in Ipswich, Leeds, Leicester and Derby. 8. In the most competitive Arts Council England round to date, we secured a historic 71% funding increase, much-needed extra support to help us reach 1.1m+ underserved people in Outer East London and South Essex. Our part in the Theatre Nation partnership was recognised as it was awarded a £1.25m investment over 3 years. Our 36 month international Future Laboratory project, in which we’re the UK partner, received 1m euros of Creative Europe funding.
Photo Credit: Hannah Davies
Sleeping Beauty, this year’s annual pantomime at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, has received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. This week The Offies (Off West End Theatre Awards) have announced that Sleeping Beauty has been nominated for a ‘Best Panto’ award.
The Offies finalists will be announced in January 2023. Winners will be revealed at the award ceremony on 12 February 2023 at the Alexandra Palace Theatre.
The annual awards known as The Offies launched in 2010 to celebrate the excellence, innovation and ingenuity of independent theatres across London, outside the West End. For more information about The Offies and for the full list of finalists, visit offies.london
The Havering Daily and Southend Theatre Scene have both rated the show five stars saying it’s “a must watch… fit for any West End stage” and praised the cast for being “so versatile, and never for a moment put a foot wrong”.
Also commending the production for being family orientated and awarding the show four stars, Sardines Magazine said it’s “a real family panto… with something for all ages”. London Theatre 1 gave the production four stars and placed it “firmly in the realm of family fun”. In Your Area said it’s “Really fun and perfect for families”. Hornchurch Life rated it as “Another fantastic show, which will appeal to all ages”.
Polka Dot Pages glowing verdict on Sleeping Beauty is: “Between the cleverly considered (and beautiful!) set and lighting design, the engaging storytelling of the book and the fantastically crafted musical numbers, Sleeping Beauty is a chuckle-inducing, toe-tapping, sing-along spectacular.”
Musical Theatre Musings concluded that “Everyone left having laughed throughout and this is exactly what panto season is all about.”
Audiences have been applauding the pantomime as well. “Took our daughters to their first panto today and it was utterly wonderful. What a multi-talented cast in a brilliantly written show with fantastic original songs. Top quality panto magic. Well done to all cast, crew and theatre staff.”
“Please pass on my huge congrats, one of the best we’ve ever seen. Lighting was phenomenal. Loved the 80s gaming and Jedi touches, strobes were magic. Dame and Fairy especially awesome. Everyone round us equally engaged and adoring it!”
“5 stars! We went to see Sleeping Beauty. All the kids loved it. Very talented actors who can sing and play instructions as well. All very versatile. Well done to the cast. Had all the kids singing and shouting out. That’s how a panto should be.”
This fresh and funny Sleeping Beauty brings Panto bang up to date as the loveable but fumbling Fairy undoes an evil curse with a five-hundred-year sleep, taking us from Tudor times into the madcap future of 2057, where robots roam, and Princess Raury wakes up to a brave new world and an epic adventure!
The supremely talented actor-musician cast are: Ben Barrow plays Proppa, Footloose (UK & International Tour); Anna Fordham plays Princess Raury, Sunshine On Leith (Pitlochry Festival Theatre); Dominic Gee-Burch plays Super Nanny, Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ the Musical, (Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch), Jerome Lincoln plays Romford Prince, Whistle Down The Wind (The Watermill); Marta Miranda plays Prim, The Diary of Anne Frank (Guildford School of Acting); Laura Sillett plays Fairy Falalalalalalalala, Dreamboats and Petticoats (UK No.1 Tour), Alex Tomkins plays King ‘Enry, School of Rock (West End), and Hannah Woodward plays Vampira, The Wizard of Oz, (Hartlepool Borough Hall).
Sleeping Beauty is written by Andrew Pollard, directed by Caroline Leslie, with original music and lyrics by Tom Self, set and costume design by Dora Schweitzer, lighting design by Stephen Pemble, sound design by Leigh Davies and choreography by Lee Crowley. The Executive Producer is Mathew Russell.
There are still some tickets remaining for this fun-packed festive offering, but they’re selling fast so book now. Sleeping Beauty plays until 31 December. Tickets are £23 – £34.50 plus 65p QNext fee. To book, call 01708 443333 or visit www.queens-theatre.co.uk .
In January 2023, the National Theatre is touring a new production, Shut Up, I’m Dreaming, to 4 schools in Outer East London and South Essex in partnership with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. In collaboration with young people across the country, the production has been created by the acclaimed physical theatre company, The PappyShow, in response to workshops with over 100 secondary school students.
Directed by Kane Husbands, the production will visit a different school every day for 11 weeks across 11 areas in England as part of the NT’s largest ever schools tour. 12,000 young people in 55 schools across the country will have the opportunity to experience live theatre in their own school hall. In Outer East London and South Essex, the production will tour to Dagenham Park C of E School, Gaynes School, St Edward’s C of E Academy and Marshalls Park Academy from 9 – 13 January. School halls across the country will be transformed with a gigantic moveable climbing frame set.
In an innovative new collaboration with The PappyShow, residencies have been held with 100 students in three partner schools in Wakefield, Sunderland and Walsall to understand the experience of teenagers over the past few years and incorporate their voices into the piece. Shut Up, I’m Dreaming explores the hopes and dreams of young people in an uncertain world through an eclectic combination of movement, dance, music and audience participation.
The PappyShow is a physical theatre company which aims to platform marginalised identities and create diverse, joyful and collaborative productions rooted in the lived experience of their performers, bringing people together to move, dance, create moments of radical joy and share stories.
Kane Husbands, Director and Founder of The PappyShow said, “This new production, Shut Up, I’m Dreaming is a bright, brave response to our time. The research alone has been an incredible journey and we have been so inspired by how this next generation – our future change makers and leaders – have responded to us. At a time where we feel creativity is being removed from the curriculum, we believe taking performance and theatre directly to young people can inspire and make us dream of more, see things differently and connect us to our feelings. I hope we can inspire young people across the country to walk into and lead BIG Lives and to keep dreaming… their whole life.”
The cast includes Joseph Adelakun, Marc Benga, Jake Garvey, Lewis Griffin, Rachel-Leah Hosker, Rianna Kellman, Jeff D’Sangalang, Bianca Stephens, Molly Walker and Seda Yildiz.
The creative team includes set and costume designer Peter Butler, lighting designer Amy Mae, sound designer Roly Botha, composer Naomi Hammerton, songwriter Ty Lowe and assistant director Marc Benga.
The schools’ tour forms part of the National Theatre’s Theatre Nation Partnerships network to grow and sustain new audiences for live theatre and create more opportunities to engage in the arts.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Octagon Theatre Bolton and the recently opened Shakespeare North Playhouse are delighted to co-produce the European premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s The Book of Will in 2023.
This fast-paced, funny and hilarious play opens at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 27 April to 13 May before transferring to the Octagon Theatre Bolton from 17 May to 3 June. And, to the new Shakespeare North Playhouse from 19 October to 11 November.
The King’s Men are getting the band back together. Their goal: to gather the Bard’s scattered masterpieces and save his words before they’re lost to history. Shakespeare has barely been dead for 3 years when a pirated Hamlet rip-off hits a stage near the Globe Theatre. His old acting troupe friends are livid. To save Will’s works for the ages, they hatch a near-impossible plan to collect his words on paper, setting them off on a bonkers race against time through London. Their hearts are on the line and those they love are counting on them – to maybe leave a legacy that will last forever…
Lauren Gunderson is one of the USA’s most celebrated and widely performed playwrights, most recently writing the acclaimed adaptation of The Time Traveller’s Wife (Storyhouse, Chester).
This very special European and UK premiere production of The Book of Will coincides with the 400th anniversary of the publishing of the First Folio of Shakespeare’s plays in 1623 and will be directed by the Octagon’s Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham.
Further creatives and casting are to be announced. The date tickets go on sale for performances at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch will be announced shortly.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Octagon Theatre Bolton and the recently opened Shakespeare North Playhouse are delighted to co-produce the European premiere of Lauren Gunderson’s The Book of Will in 2023.
This fast-paced, funny and hilarious play opens at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 27 April to 13 May before transferring to the Octagon Theatre Bolton from 17 May to 3 June. And, to the new Shakespeare North Playhouse from 19 October to 11 November.
The King’s Men are getting the band back together. Their goal: to gather the Bard’s scattered masterpieces and save his words before they’re lost to history. Shakespeare has barely been dead for 3 years when a pirated Hamlet rip-off hits a stage near the Globe Theatre. His old acting troupe friends are livid. To save Will’s works for the ages, they hatch a near-impossible plan to collect his words on paper, setting them off on a bonkers race against time through London. Their hearts are on the line and those they love are counting on them – to maybe leave a legacy that will last forever…
Lauren Gunderson is one of the USA’s most celebrated and widely performed playwrights, most recently writing the acclaimed adaptation of The Time Traveller’s Wife (Storyhouse, Chester).
This very special European and UK premiere production of The Book of Will coincides with the 400th anniversary of the publishing of the First Folio of Shakespeare’s plays in 1623 and will be directed by the Octagon’s Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham.
Further creatives and casting are to be announced. The date tickets go on sale for performances at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch will be announced shortly.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s annual pantomime is always a firm family favourite, and it is a pleasure to now be able to reveal the cast and creatives for the upcoming production of Sleeping Beauty, playing from 24 November – 31 December 2022.
Firstly, the Theatre are delighted to announce that this year’s dame, Super Nanny, will be played by returning audience-favourite, Dominic Gee-Burch. Dominic starred as Mr Lucas and Mr Scruton earlier this year in Sue Townsend’s The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ the Musical. He was the infamous Björn Nastee in last year’s pantomime Aladdin, and part of the live skiffle band in One Man, Two Guvnors, co-produced by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch (QTH) and Derby Theatre. Dominic’s first appearance in Hornchurch was five years ago as part of the company of Sell a Door’s Footloose the Musical.
Also returning this year, direct from the UK tour as the alternate lead of the hit West End musical School of Rock, is Alex Tomkins playing King ‘Enry. QTH audiences will remember Alex from the festive variety show Christmas Allsorts, as the loveable Buttons in Cinderella, and Eddie in the major revival of Made in Dagenham – produced by QTH and New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich.
The final returning cast member is Laura Sillett as Fairy Falalalalalalalala. Laura stepped in to cover last year’s Christmas period, in the role of Princess Jasmine, in QTH’s production of Aladdin. Her other theatre credits include Dreamboats and Petticoats (UK No.1 Tour) and Hair! 50th Anniversary (UK & International Tour).
There are some new faces joining as part of the supremely talented actor-musician cast too. Ben Barrow plays Proppa, Footloose (UK & International Tour); Anna Fordham plays Princess Raury, Sunshine On Leith (Pitlochry Festival Theatre); Jerome Lincoln plays Romford Prince, Whistle Down The Wind (The Watermill); Marta Miranda plays Prim, The Diary of Anne Frank (Guildford School of Acting); and Hannah Woodward plays Vampira, The Wizard of Oz, (Hartlepool Borough Hall).
Sleeping Beauty is written by Andrew Pollard, directed by Caroline Leslie, with original music and lyrics by Tom Self, set and costume design by Dora Schweitzer, lighting design by Stephen Pemble, and choreography by Lee Crowley. The executive producer is Mathew Russell.
Caroline Leslie, part of the Theatre’s Creative Leadership Team and Director of Sleeping Beauty says “As regular aficionados of QTH Pantos will know, Andrew Pollard (writer of Aladdin and Robin Hood to name a few) writes hilarious dialogue and loves to put his characters into ever more challenging and ridiculous situations. The crucial thing was to find a team of actor-musicians with the comic ability to make Andrew’s text zing and the playing skills to realise Composer Tom Self’s brilliant and lively original songs that give the show it’s totally unique character. We’re pleased as punch with our excellent cast!”
In a magical fairy kingdom, happy plans are underway for Princess Raury’s christening. But a bad fairy has been missed off the invite list and descends on the party casting a wicked curse. So, when 18-year-old Raury pricks her finger on a spinning wheel, and falls asleep for many years, it takes bravery and courage to wake up and face a very different world. But the bad fairy is up to more mischief, and Raury is soon setting off to the rescue, aided by her zany Nanny and family, to ensure true love can find its way…
Everyone can enjoy this festive treat with QTH offering several access performances; an audio described performance on Saturday 10 December at 2pm, a British Sign Language interpreted performance on Saturday 10 December at 6.30pm, a Dementia Friendly performance on Thursday 15 December at 1.30pm, and a Relaxed (SEN/Autism Friendly) performance on Thursday 15 December at 5.30pm. For the best experience when booking an access performance, speak to the theatre’s Box Office team on 01708 443333, or email boxoffice@queens-theatre.co.uk
Sleeping Beauty will be performed at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch 24 November – 31 December 2022. Tickets are £13 – £34 (plus 65p QNext Fee per ticket) with discounts for groups and schools. To book, click here.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch would like to thank their Principal Sponsor McDonalds Romford.
We are looking for people to participate in a workshop on queer immigrant narratives based on performance art and the intersection of different artistic mediums.
Do you consider yourself part of a queer immigrant community?
Interested in finding collaborators and potentially devising a new international work or series of works?
Join our safe space for sharing, discussing, and creating with artist Vera Boitcova.
Vera Boitcova is a performance artist, theatre director, playwright, political activist (LGBT+ and women’s rights), and a long-time nomad (lived and worked in the US, the UK, China, Finland), currently based in Germany. Coordinator at Eve’s Ribs feminist art organization + Curator/organizer of the annual Eve’s Ribs Festival (Russia) en.rebraevy.ru Curator/organizer of QueerFest (Russia) queerfest.ru/en Curator of Fairytales for Girls project (web-archive and a series of published books of fairytales focusing on female characters) femitales.pro Creator/curator of Tales of Transformation project (performative and web-archive focusing on transforming traumatic experiences into fairytales) tales-of-transformation.weebly.com/
Preliminary informal discussion with artist 24-29 Oct (optional)
There are two in-person Workshops:
31 Oct – 18:00 – 20:00 – Romford, venue TBC
2 Nov – 18:00 – 20:00 – Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch
Please email Vera Boitcova if you are interested in attending or want to know more information. vera.boitcova@uniarts.f
Ahead of next week’s transfer from Derby Theatre of our co-production of Jekyll and Hyde, we spoke to the director of the play, Sarah Brigham.
“Neil Bartlett is a writer I have worked with previously when I directed his adaptation of Great Expectations in 2017. I love the way he allows the storytelling to really jump off the page and gives real opportunity for the company to fluidly and seamlessly tell a story. Whenever I read one of his plays, I feel like I’m in the middle of it as he conjures up such vivid emotions and pictures. So, in 2018 when I was looking for a writer to adapt the story of Jekyll and Hyde, he was my immediate choice.
It felt a very relevant novel to bring to the stage, as we sat amidst the #metoo campaign, and this is exactly what resonates for me in Neil’s visceral adaptation. It’s this examination of male toxicity which gives it its’ guts. The Gentlemen are willing to support, cover up, lie about and ignore the misdemeanours of their colleague in order to sustain an elite patriarchy which keeps some people (often women) on the outside.
In this version it takes three women, of different classes, to drag this story out into the sunlight for us all to examine. The parallels for us as a contemporary audience are clear, it is not only an accurate echo of the past, but worryingly a direct mirror image of the present. I also love that we see the women’s Hyde personalities spring through – whether this is the salacious Poole, to the upright religious Matron, Stevenson’s fascination with Jekyll or The Girl’s need to both run away from and confront her trauma. Great drama should leave you questioning and thinking, and I hope that is what our production does for you.
The creative team have really worked as much as an ensemble as the actors have – direction, movement, voice, design, lighting and sound have all had to play their part of the jigsaw as we bring Neil’s adaptation to life. I hope you enjoy watching and feeling this story unfold.”
Jekyll and Hyde plays at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch from 26 October – 12 November. Tickets start from £12.50 and under 26s can attend any performance for just £8. For more details and to book.
