Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch has today announced its Spring 2022 season, which will include a major revival of Arthur Miller’s landmark drama, All My Sons, playing 10 February – 5 March. The production continues the Theatre’s tradition of exceptional, classic drama and will be directed by Douglas Rintoul (Artistic Director), following critically acclaimed UK tours of Macbeth and The Crucible. Design will be by the award-winning Amy Jane Cook (The Season, The Royal & Derngate, Northampton and New Wolsey Theatre and Jellyfish, The National Theatre and Bush Theatre). All My Sons will transfer for a week to long-term partner New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich in March 2022.
Then, from 17 March to 2 April, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch stages the deliciously funny and tender play, The Kitchen Sink, written by Tom Wells. This 10th anniversary new production of Tom’s hilarious and touching, award-winning gem of a play is an affectionate and sweet portrait of working-class family life. The Kitchen Sink will be directed by Caroline Leslie who directed the Theatre’s acclaimed production of Luke Norris’s So Here We Are in 2019, part of the Essex Girls and Boys season. Lighting design for both All My Sons and The Kitchen Sink will be by Stephen Pemble (Misfits and Neville’s Island, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch).
Finally, a major new production of Sue Townsend’s best-selling book The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ -The Musical. Book and lyrics by Jake Brunger, with music and lyrics by Pippa Cleary, directed by Douglas Rintoul, playing from 28 April to 21 May. This outrageously funny tale of teenage angst and unrequited love features one of the most endearing comedy characters of all time. This new actor musician version will build on the success of recent hit musicals produced at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch: Made in Dagenham, Priscilla – Queen of the Desert, Once, The Hired Man and Love Letters.
The Theatre teams up with Leeds Playhouse and Curve Leicester again to showcase the world premiere of Maggie May, directed by Jemima Levick from 23 – 28 May. This heart-warming drama by award-winning theatre, TV and radio writer Frances Poet is a warm, humorous and uplifting story, infused with familiar music, all about enduring love. All performances of Maggie May are Dementia Friendly. The show closed prematurely in March 2020 as a result of the pandemic before its official opening night. It will be opening at Leeds Playhouse and touring to Curve Leicester after the Hornchurch run.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is thrilled to have commissioned Thurrock based playwright, Vickie Donoghue, adaptor of The Witchfinder’s Sister, to write a major new drama inspired by the Canvey Island floods of 1953 for later in 2022/2023. The Theatre are also delighted to be supporting the next stage of developing two Black Essex commissions with Mia Jerome and her new piece of work Rice & Peas, and Anne Odeke and her The Essex Princess. Both Mia and Anne’s projects have been made possible thanks to the support of Creative Estuary Co-commissions.
Douglas Rintoul, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch states: ‘Announcing a new season is always special, but this time it’s exceptional as it’s the first time we’ve been able to plan this far ahead since the beginning of 2020, back when we won the London Theatre of the Year Stage Award. We’ve got some cracking stories we know you’re going to love, so join us as we do what we do best – give you a great time at the theatre.’
Spring Season 2022 tickets go on sale to the Theatre’s Queen’s Angels on Saturday 30 October at 10am. Tickets will be available via general on sale from Monday 1 November at 10am.
For more information about the Theatre visit queens-theatre.co.uk