Cast Announced for Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s National Tour of Moira Buffini’s Handbagged as part of National Theatre’s Theatre Nation Partnerships network
- Moira Buffini’s fly-on-the-wall comedy about Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher has been reimagined with music featuring reworkings of 80s pop classics
- Casting includes Emma Ernest (Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s Globe) and Morag Cross (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Palace Theatre) as Margaret Thatcher and Helen Reuben (Cabaret, English Theatre Frankfurt) and Sarah Moyle (BBC’s Doctors) as Queen Elizabeth II
A reimagined revival of Moira Buffini’s comedy Handbagged will tour across England from February to May produced by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch in partnership with the National Theatre. The England-wide tour is part of the Theatre Nation Partnerships network which is led by the National Theatre and aims to support regional arts organisations in strengthening their relationships with local audiences, communities and schools.
Imagining the conversations between two of history’s most revered female leaders, Handbagged is a fly-on-the-wall look at what might have happened when Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher came face-to-face in the privacy of the palace. Directed by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s Alex Thorpe, this fresh interpretation of the play will feature new music composed for the show, a cappella singing, and remixed pop classics of the iconic era. A clever and fiercely funny comedy, Handbagged explores the intense relationship that two female powerhouses formed over a decade, and the legacy they each left behind.
Casting for Margaret Thatcher and Queen Elizabeth II includes, as ‘Mags’, Emma Ernest who has previously appeared as Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare’s Globe, 2024), and portraying ‘Liz’, Helen Reuben after previously playing Sally Bowles in Cabaret (English Theatre Frankfurt, 2019) and the title role in Pictures of Dorian Gray (Jermyn Street Theatre, 2019). Appearing as ‘T’ and ‘Q’, the older versions of the main characters, are Morag Cross who previously appeared in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Palace Theatre, 2016, 2018 & 2022) and Sarah Moyle best known for playing the much-loved series regular ‘Valerie’ in BBC’s Doctors. Further casting includes Cassius Konneh and Gerard McDermott who will multirole the 17 other characters in the play. Completing the ensemble is Tiajna Amayo and Jane Quinn.
Director Alex Thorpe said, “I am thrilled to welcome this multi-talented cast to Hornchurch as we prepare to embark on the most ambitious TNP tour to date. As we reexamine these fierce and famed women, joining this ensemble company is some of the UK’s most exciting creative talents, realising Moira Buffini’s satirically funny comedy. Performed on Katie Lias’ golden contemporary set and propelled by Kate Marlais’s reworking of 80’s pop classics and the award-winning Ryan Day’s lighting – this truly extraordinary team is not to be missed.”
Theatre Nation Partnerships is a collaboration between 13 partners across 14 areas, combining local expertise with nationally-delivered activity to build and sustain audiences for theatre across England.
Activity includes touring to local venues and into schools, participatory opportunities and in-depth engagement with community groups.
Between 2022 to 2025, the network’s focus is on welcoming new audiences to theatre and creating more opportunities for people to engage, supporting the long-term health of local theatre audiences. The Theatre Nation Partnerships network will reach 500,000 targeted audiences, young people, and community groups over this three-year period.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is a vibrant producing theatre, working in Outer East London, Essex and beyond. As a cultural hub, over 210,000 people enjoy the programme each year. Audiences are guaranteed a warm welcome from a three-year winner of UK Theatre’s Most Welcoming Theatre (2016 – 2018) and London Theatre of the Year 2020 (The Stage Awards), the first Outer London theatre to receive this prestigious award.
Suitable for ages 10+
Company information
Playwright: Moira Buffini
Director: Alex Thorpe
Designer: Katie Lias
Lighting Designer: Ryan Day
Musical Director and Arranger: Kate Marlais
Sound Designer: Owen Crouch
Movement Director: Jonnie Riordan
Assistant Director: Chani Merrell
Costume Supervisor: Chantal Short
Casting Director: Chloe Bake
Accent Coach: Danièle Lydon
Design Assistant: Victoria Maytom
Production Manager: James Dawson
Company Stage Manager: Debs Harlow
Deputy Stage Manager: Lizzie Bond
Assistant Stage Manager: Sofie Mirza
Cast: Tiajna Amayo, Morag Cross, Emma Ernest, Cassius Konneh, Gerard McDermott, Sarah Moyle, Jane Quinn, Helen Reuben
Social media
X: @QueensTheatreH
Instagram: @QueensTheatreHornchurch
Facebook: Queens Theatre Hornchurch
#HandbaggedTour
Listings information
6 – 22 Feb – Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Hornchurch
Billet Ln, Hornchurch RM11 1QT
Times and prices vary: 01708 443333
27 Feb – 1 March – The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton, West Midlands WV1 1DE
Times and prices vary: 01902 429212
4 – 8 March – Cast, Doncaster
Cast, Waterdale, Doncaster DN1 3BU
Times and prices vary: 01302 303 959
13 — 15 March – Key Theatre, Peterborough
Embankment Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE1 1EF
Times and prices vary: 01733 207 239
18 — 22 March – Lowry, Salford
Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, Manchester, Greater Manchester M50 3AZ
Times and prices vary: 0843 208 6010
25 — 29 March – Curve Theatre, Leicester
Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1SB
Times and prices vary: 0116 242 3595
1 — 5 April – Theatre Royal, Wakefield
Drury Lane, Town Centre, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1 2TE
Times and prices vary: 01924 211311
8 — 12 April – Grand Theatre, Blackpool
33 Church St, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 1HT
Times and prices vary: 01253 290190
22 — 26 April – Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
6 Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 1QR
Times and prices vary: 01284 769505
29 April — 3 May Belgrade Theatre, Coventry
Belgrave Square, Coventry, West Midlands CV1 1GS
Times and prices vary: 024 7655 3055
6 — 10 May – The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
Millbrook, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3UX
Times and prices vary: 01483 44 00 00
13 — 17 May – Northern Stage, Newcastle
Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 7RH
Times and prices vary: 0191 230 5151
20 — 24 May – Playhouse, Oxford
11-12 Beaumont Street, Oxford OX1 2LW
Times and prices vary: 01865 305305