East 15 Acting School Explores Gender Politics as Part of its Secret History Season at Queen's Theatre

East 15 Acting School is set to present The Secret History Season at the Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch in May. It features two new plays that explore the current issues of sexuality, gender politics, migration and cultural identity through the prism of history.

Celebrated Camden writer Ché Walker's (Royal Court and National Theatre) newly commissioned play, Anne Bonny and Mary Read, speaks directly to the LGBT community and takes its cue from the lives of these notorious 18th-century pirates and cross-dressing lesbian lovers. The cast of Anne Bonny and Mary Read will bring an epic historical canvas to life with burning modern questions. Speaking about his new play, Ché Walker says,

'I was interested in how we came to live the way we live, and how the ego had to fight to push the human race forward. The Caribbean Pirates in the 18th Century, though often ruthless and amoral, did strike a blow for Liberty, especially Anne Bonny and Mary Read. There are several explorations of intense female friendships throughout my earlier plays and this felt like a natural relationship to explore. The script is different to my other plays in that there is real history behind it but not much reverence shown towards it. Hopefully it's vivid and passionate and muscular and wild.'

The Secret History Season provides a platform for an exciting collaboration between two powerhouses of post-war British theatre that have helped transform the cultural landscape of East London and Essex. For over 50 years, East 15 Acting School has produced actors, directors, theatre practitioners and technicians for the international stage, TV, film and radio and is now one of the largest specialist theatre schools in the UK.

Anne Bonny and Mary Read runs at the Queen's Theatre Hornchurch from 17 - 20 May. The theatre is offering audiences an amazing opportunity to see two brand new pieces of work at no fixed cost under its new 'pay what you think it's worth scheme.' The theatre asks for a donation to be made at the end of the performance which reflects what they thought of the piece.

To reserve a seat for this show call the Box Office on 01708 443333 or visit the theatre in person. Please note the production is suitable for people aged 16+ as it contains strong language and subjects of an adult nature.

The second play in this season is Playwright Samantha Ellis' extraordinary tale, The Only Jew in England which runs at the theatre from 18 - 20 May.