Questors Theatre Unveils Autumn-Winter Programme
Plays include those from Caryl Churchill, David Hovatter and Patrick Hamilton
Emilia reimagines the life of poet Emilia Bassano, Shakespeare's 'Dark Lady'
August 11, 2025
Questors Theatre in Ealing has announced its Autumn–Winter season, offering a varied programme of plays that explore themes of identity, historical revisionism, and personal agency.
Running from September through December, the season includes contemporary dramas, historical reimaginings, and a traditional year-end pantomime.
The season opens with Caryl Churchill’s A Number (19–27 September), a two-hander that examines the ethical and emotional consequences of human cloning. Set in the Studio, the play follows a son who discovers he is one of several genetic copies, prompting a confrontation with his father and a broader inquiry into the nature of individuality.
Brian Clemens’ Strictly Murder (26 October–4 November) brings a wartime thriller to the Playhouse. Set in Provence in 1939, the play follows a couple whose quiet life is disrupted by revelations of espionage and betrayal, against the backdrop of Europe on the brink of war.
Stanley Houghton’s Hindle Wakes (15–25 October) returns to the Studio with a revival of the 1912 drama that challenged Edwardian social norms. The play centres on Fanny Hawthorn, a mill worker who defies expectations after a weekend away, confronting issues of gender, class, and autonomy.
Emilia (31 October–8 November), written by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, reimagines the life of poet Emilia Bassano, often speculated to be Shakespeare’s “Dark Lady.” Performed by an all-female cast, the production interrogates historical silences and aims to reclaim Bassano’s voice.
David Hovatter’s Lightning Beneath the Waves (8–15 November) dramatises the transatlantic telegraph cable project, focusing on Cyrus Field’s collaboration with engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Using physical theatre and original music, the play explores the technological and personal challenges behind a landmark in global communication.
Lightning Beneath the Waves dramatises the transatlantic telegraph cable project
The season concludes with two December productions. Cinderella (5–31 December), written by James Rushbrooke, offers a pantomime set in a glam 1980s universe, blending fairy tale tropes with pop culture references.
Panto to a disco beat with Cinderella
Gaslight (12–31 December), Patrick Hamilton’s psychological thriller, returns to the Studio with its chilling portrayal of manipulation and doubt in a domestic setting that gave us the concept of gaslighting.
Questors is also offering a Season Pass scheme, allowing audiences to attend multiple productions at reduced rates, though the pantomime is excluded from full discounts.
For full listings and ticket information, visit Questors Theatre’s official website or contact the box office.
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