David Copperfield

David Copperfield

Thursday 21 June 8.00pm

Cramphorn Theatre

A child born towards the small hours on a Friday night is destined to be unlucky in life

In celebration of the 200^th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ birth, Mad Dogs and Englishmen Theatre Company bring his classic tale of David Copperfield to the Chelmsford Cramphorn Theatre on Thursday 21 June with a twist and a flourish in their new adaptation.

Replete with comic, cruel and repugnant characters, Dickens’ semi-autobiographical novel follows a vulnerable boy on his journey to manhood. It is a story of the struggle against poverty and obscurity: a story of loss, of loneliness, and the betrayal of innocence.

Dickens’ favourite novel is brought to the stage with all its dark comedy by Mad Dogs and Englishmen Theatre Company in this fast-paced and faithful adaptation. Directed by Ann Courtney, the cast of two capture the hilarity and pathos of Dickens’ writing with finesse, depth and ingenious dexterity.

As part of the internationally-celebrated bicentennial year of Dickens’ birth, Mad Dogs & Englishmen’s adaptation of David Copperfield is compulsive theatre.

‘Of all my books, I like this the best… Like many fond parents, I have in my heart of hearts a favourite child. And his name is David Copperfield.’

Charles Dickens (from the Preface to David Copperfield)

Recommended age: 11 years +

 Tickets are £12.00 and concessions £10.00. To book tickets go to www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call the Box Office on 01245 606505.

Raining Men

Raining Men

Civic Theatre

When life’s a drag, there’s only one thing you can do…

A new comedy by ‘Hen Party Night’ writer Chris Ponka, ‘Raining Men’ is coming to Chelmsford Civic Theatre on Friday 1 – Saturday 2 June. It’s the story of Phil the bouncer, Doug the DJ, and Colin the barman and a night where The Full Monty meets Priscilla, Queen of the Desert…

Raining Men brings together the outstanding talent and glamour of Michael Cross, Andrew Ryan and Patric Kearns for a hilarious, sparkling, naughty evening, featuring music from the likes of Barbra Streisand, Shirley Bassey and Judy Garland… and with a few surprises for the audience too.

It’s coming up to Halloween and the nightclub in which this inventive trio all work has no act, so the boys decide to put on a little show of their own … and what a show it is!!

But be warned this play is strictly for adults only with strong language and adult content from the start.

“… brilliant rip roaring side-splitting laugh a minute comedy production.
This takes the genre to a whole new level…a night you will long remember for all the delightfully wrong reasons.” Peterborough Evening Telegraph

Recommended age: 11 years+

Not surprisingly, the show is almost sold out !


Tickets are £16.00, concessions and groups £14.00. To book tickets go to www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres 

or call the Box Office on 01245 606505.

Peter Pan

Peter Pan

Enchanting new adaptation by Vicky Ireland

The Queen’s Theatre is thrilled to present Vicky Ireland’s enchanting new adaptation of Peter Pan from 26 May – 16 June.

This specially commissioned reworking of J.M. Barrie’s classic by internationally-acclaimed children’s writer Vicky Ireland MBE is performed by cut to the chase…

Directed by Bob Carlton, it is the first summer family show to be staged by the Theatre in a bid to develop its in-house programme of children’s theatre and also expand its family audience base beyond regular pantomime bookers.

“There doesn’t seem to be enough high-quality live children’s entertainment in our region; so, as a producing theatre serving East London and Essex, we very much wanted to redress the balance by staging a show that many families can enjoy during the summer months,” says Bob Carlton, who is Artistic Director at the Queen’s.

This inspired adaptation features sparkling original melodies and wonderfully humorous lyrics by Steven Markwick – all played live on stage by the multi-talented cut to the chase… company. Starting in leafy Kensington Gardens, the production skilfully encourages young viewers to harness their powers of imagination and take flight on a wondrous epic adventure far beyond London’s starlit sky!

Audiences will enjoy a thrilling journey with Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy, Johnand Michael to Neverland, where they join The Lost Boys in battle against the villainous Captain Hook and his bumbling sidekick Smee.

From a fantasy land of blue lagoons, swashbuckling pirates and tick-tocking crocodiles to mystical mermaids, mischievous pixies and boys who never grow up, this summer family spectacular is bursting with song, laughter, stunning sets and costumes and a generous sprinkling of fairy dust!

Vicky Ireland has an MBE for services to children’s drama and is a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts. She has had many children’s plays produced around the world and adapted the work of such celebrated authors as A. A. Milne, Rudyard Kipling and Roald Dahl. She appeared in the children’s TV programmes You and Me,Rainbow and Mr Trimble and was a long-standing presenter on BBC’s Words and Pictures.

Peter Pan stars cut to the chase… company members Matthew James Hinchliffe,Callum Hughes, Simon Jessop, Dylan Kennedy, Sam Kordbacheh, Greg Last,Jonathan Markwood, Natasha Moore, Kate Robson-Stuart and Alison Thea-Skot.

This production is directed by Bob Carlton, with design by Norman Coates, music composition and direction by Steven Markwick, lighting design by Christopher Howcroft, sound design by Alexander Broad and choreography by Hannah Welch.

Peter Pan runs at the Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, from 26 May – 16 June. Tickets cost from £12 - £21. Customers can also save money with a family ticket. Call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or book online at www.queens-theatre.co.uk

All Shook Up

Springers AODS next show will be ‘All Shook Up’. This is an entertaining and heart-warming  production based on the music of Elvis Presley.

It’s the Midwest in the 1950’s, our hip swivelling ,  guitar playing roustabout (Chad) is released from prison. He heads for the nearest town on his motorbike, leaving a frenzy of excitement in his wake.

Based upon ‘Twelfth Night’ the multiple love triangles then unfold beginning when Chad meets Natalie, the daughter of the local garage owner. A Rock and Roll musical and Jukebox comedy inspired by the hits of Elvis Presley. Suitable for all ages.                                              

This is another fantastic show brought to you by Springers AODS which aims to have everyone singing along to all the very well known Elvis songs!

It is showing at The Civic Theatre from Tuesday 12th – Saturday 16th June (with a Saturday matinee) and tickets can be bought via the box office on 01245 606505 or online at: www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres

Room Service

Little Baddow Drama Group presents

"Room Service"

an informal entertainment with hotels as a theme, devised by Rita Ronn and Michael Gray

including writing by Betjeman, Bryson and the Bennetts [Arnold and Alan], as well as Patrick Leigh Fermor, Gerard Hoffnung, Anita Brookner, Charles Dickens and many more.

Performed by Rita and Michael, with Caroline Ogden, Alli Tibbatts and Ken Rolf.

There'll be finger food, a cash bar, and music from Doublet [Kate Knight and Roy Sach].

All for £8.

The Memorial Hall, North Hill, on Friday April 27 and Saturday April 28, at 7.45

Tickets available from the Box Office - 01245 225509 [6.30 - 9.30 pm]

Crown Imperial

Crown Imperial

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert

Chelmsford Cathedral will be the venue on Saturday 26 May for a special concert to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. 

Under the direction of Oliver Waterer the

Cathedral Choir and Consort, accompanied by the organ with brass and percussion, will perform much of the music sung in Westminster Abbey at the Coronation Service in 1953. The concert is being supported by the Chelmsford Borough Council and M & G Investments.

The evening provides a rare opportunity to hear the music sung during the Coronation Service. It features lavish settings and anthems that span four centuries and will include Handel’s ‘Zadok the Priest’, ‘I was Glad’ by Hubert Parry and William Walton’s thrilling ‘Coronation Te Deum’.

Conductor, Oliver Waterer said ‘In addition I am delighted to say that we will have the Sub-Dean of Her Majesty’s Chapels Royal, the Revd Prebendary William Scott, to commentate on the Programme and give us a fascinating insight into the Coronation Service and its music. This will be a wonderful evening and an exciting way to start celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee’.

The concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets are now on sale at the Civic Theatre Box Office, telephone 01245 606505, or online at www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres priced at £20, £15 and £10 each. Concessions are available on the 2nd and 3rd priced tickets.

The Merchant of Venice

Glen Walford directs a recklessly hedonistic production of The Merchant of Veniceat the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch from 20 April – 12 May.

Costumes boasting a flamboyant New Romantic twist and a pulse-pounding rock-and-pop-inspired soundtrack set the scene for this comic thriller of love, honour and revenge. Songs and music are all performed live on stage by the Queen’s actor-musician company cut to the chase….

The Merchant of Venice runs at the Queen’s Theatre, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, from 20 April – 12 May. There are also short, free and informal Pre-Show Talksabout The Merchant of Venice for audiences unfamiliar with Shakespeare on 27 April, 3 or 12 May at 7pm.

Tickets cost £15 - £24. The Theatre is also offering a 20% discount off weekday performances to customers who have never booked to watch a Shakespeare production at the Queen’s before. Call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or book online at www.queens-theatre.co.uk