The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has today announced a thrilling variety of productions in its vibrant autumn season of limitless entertainment.
From 26 – 28 August, a huge company comprising of a number of community organisations from across Greater London will join together with professional artists to perform Shakespeare’s Pericles on the National Theatre’s Olivier stage. This production is the National Theatre’s first Public Acts production (a nationwide programme to celebrate community and create extraordinary theatre) of which the Queen’s Theatre is proudly the first theatre partner on.
The award-winning 201 Dance Company brings its urban and hip-hop fused show SKIN to the theatre on Sunday 23 September. This ‘thrilling’ and ‘thought-provoking’ (The Wee Review) five-star dance production conveys a boy’s intimate journey of gender transition.
A variety of new comedy shows visit the theatre including BAFTA-winning stand-up Iain Sterling with his critically acclaimed show U OK HUN? X on Sunday 16 September. Audiences can also join Eshaan Akbar, Sindhu Vee, Hyde Panaser and Nabil Abdul Rashid on Sunday 4 November for an evening of laughter at the Desi Central Comedy Show. In addition, Noreen Khan (BBC Asian Network) hosts a night of comedy with some of the UK’s favourite female acts with LOL (Ladies of Laughter) on Friday 11 January.
This Christmas, the theatre is producing three festive treats for families to enjoy. As well as its panto extravaganza Jack and the Beanstalk (28 November – 6 January), it’s bringing the immersive ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (1 – 23 December) for 3 – 7 year olds home after last year’s sell out run at the National Trust’s Rainham Hall. Finally, there is a brand new festive adventure 7 – 11 year olds to join Sparky the Elf and the Secret Toyshop from 15 – 30 December in a secret location in Romford.
The Queen’s Theatre is also producing DNA by Dennis Kelly (Channel 4’s Utopia and Matilda the Musical) from 7 – 14 February, a modern day black comedy with a dark heart tailored specifically for young people. DNA premiered at the National Theatre in 2007 and is directed by the Queen’s Theatre’s Artistic Director Douglas Rintoul and performed by final year students from the BA (Hons) Acting CDT course from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
These programme highlights join the Queen’s Theatre’s recently announced produced season which features the hilarious situation comedy Abigail’s Party (co-produced with Derby Theatre, Wiltshire Creative and international partner Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg) from 30 August – 22 September; a piece of new writing, Abi, which runs alongside Abigail’s Party from 4 – 22 September (as part of Derby Theatre’s RETOLD series), the UK regional premiere of the multi-award-winning musical Once (co-produced with the New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich) from 3 – 20 October and the chilling ghost story Haunting Julia from 1 – 17 November; as well as recently announced visiting work which includes the new play Dishoom! from 25 – 29 September (produced by Rifco Theatre Company, Watford Palace Theatre and Oldham Coliseum Theatre) and the heart-breaking drama LOVE (co-produced by the National Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre) from 25 – 27 October.
