Queens Theatre

Queens Theatre

Theatre opened in 1975, designed by R W Hallam and N W T Brooks (project architect) from the London Borough of Havering Architect's office.

The building is constructed of blue and buff engineering brick set on a concrete beam substructure. The exterior walls above plinth level are formed of glazed panels and steel beams topped by veneer fascias. The roof structure comprises braced steel trusses, with a slate roof covering the auditorium and bitumen felt roof covering the remainder of the building.

The building has an overall L-plan with a large rectangular main block and a projecting wing to the south. The main entrance is accessed via an off-centre canopied entrance way projecting from the west elevation.

The west elevation features a flat-roofed canopy extending over a concrete stairway with chunky square profile railings. The entrance comprises a pair of double metal framed and glazed doors giving access to the foyer. The elevation is composed of tall glazed panels of smoked glass resting on a thick white painted concrete base and set between vertical I-profile steel beams which extend nearly to a thick white fascia above. This is all cantilevered out over a podium of blue bricks laid in stretcher bond with raked pointing. To the side of the entrance is a low wall with an LED lit sign of orange letters stating QUEENS THEATRE. All other entrances to the building above the plinth are accessed via stairs with similar railings.

The north and south elevations have the same large glazed panels set within vertical I-profile steel beams stretching eastward the length of the public foyer within. The remainder of each elevation, demarkating the backstage and office areas, is of buff brick also set within vertical steel beams creating a consistent rhythm of vertical subdivisions. A double leaf door to the foyer is positioned at the edge of the glazed section. Two narrow horizontal bands of windows on the left of the north elevation demarcate the offices and dressing rooms.

The slope of the land southwards creates a higher plinth to the east elevation, which features louvered ventilation panels for plant and air conditioning spaces. The rear east elevation is not glazed but has the same brick infilled vertical panels set between steel beams. A secondary access stair to the right of the elevation leads to the stage door and gives access to the offices, dressing rooms and rehearsal spaces. The elevation is part glazed to the left of the door and features a further two leaf doorway off centre to the left.

The south elevation has a projecting section to the right which contains a full height roller door within one of the panels and a door to the right with glazed panel above filling the remainder of the panel. The roof comprises the slated auditorium roof rising from the flat roof of the foyer and backstage areas. The brick fly tower rises behind and has large back-lit Qs on the corner of each elevation.

The foyer is accessed from the main entrance and is a full height space with timber boarded floor and a non-original wood effect square panel ceiling. The glazing is full height and comprises all of the exterior walls. The box office is located within a curved wall which marks the shape of the rear of the auditorium and was formed from three openings which previously led to a balcony over the bar area. The foyer wraps around three sides of the auditorium, with openings to the north and south sides featuring raked ceilings and stairs down to the original bar area. This is now converted to a learning space and WCs with later glass and metal framed partition walls forming the divisions. The staircases are original.

Access to the auditorium is to either side of the foyer via black double leaf doors accessing the ante room which in turn leads to the auditorium proper. This wall marks where the backstage section also begins to the north and south. The auditorium retains its original banks of 508 individual folding seats with armrests and red upholstery. The walls are lined with timber veneer panels with handrail. Several of the chairs can be removed to allow wheelchair access. The thrust stage projects from the proscenium with a curved apron and is partly set above the orchestra pit set behind and below the curve of the stage.

To the rear of the auditorium is the archive, reached by a concealed door in the vertical timber panelled wall. A staircase at the corner gives access to the lighting and projection room, and further above is the bridge for access to high level machinery. The diagonal braced steel roof structure is visible. Behind the stage the fly tower rises to full height and contains machinery for undertaking scene changes. To the south of the main stage is the double height set workshop which has a large metal roller door out to the loading bay. The basement, located within the plinth of the building, is of exposed brick set within the concrete beam substructure. The space is divided and contains the furniture store, props store and plant and air conditioning equipment.