Spotlight / New Beginning Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch

New Beginning opens on 30th August  and runs until 2nd September 2023 at The Hornchurch theatre in Essex. The production is presented by Variable Matter & Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in association with Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

Theatre Bubbles hears that New Beginning is a one-of-a-kind immersive production that blends projections, a newly composed score and soundscape, poetic text and natural materials to immerse audiences in the future of our planet.  It seems to have it all.  The show had n through workshops in local schools; their voices, thoughts and feelings, about our natural world are weaved into the experience. 

 New Beginning brings to life the magic of the forest creating one coherent thread that considers our relationship to nature. The show has a braod historic  sweep  with a nod to the futuristic imaginings of what our world could look like, New Beginning encouraging the audience to reflect on nature and community. 

The show will be created with 100 young people.

New Beginning is designed and directed by award-winning artist David Shearing of artist-led collective Variable Matter, with text from Zakiya McKenzie, a brand-new sound commission and score from composer James Bulley, video projections created by Paul Mumford of digital studio Labmeta, and light by Joshua Gadsby. Each element comes together to create an entangled web of sound, visuals and scenography that elicits a powerful, hopeful view of a world in formation.

Creative Team

Director and Designer: David Shearing

Writer and Dramaturg: Zakiya McKenzie

Sound Designer and Composer: James Bulley

Digital Creative: Labmeta / Paul Mumford

Lighting Designer: Joshua Gadsby

Photos: Hannah Davis

Venue: Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch

Dates: 30 Aug – 2 Sept

Times: 6pm |8:30pm (60 mins)

Preview: Wed 30 Aug, 8:30pm

Matinee: Sat 2 Sep, 3:30pm

Author: Paul HegartyPaul is a reviewer and an experienced actor who has performed extensively in the West End (Olivier nominated) and has worked in TV, radio and a range of provincial theatres. He is also a speech, drama and communications examiner for Trinity College London, having directed productions for both students and professionals and if not busy with all that he is then a teacher of English.