NOT SO much a career on stage, but if you fancy the thrill of the footlights, then now is your chance to get involved. The Queen s Theatre, Hornchurch, start a new term of workshops next week for people interested in acting with the possibility of playing

NOT SO much a career on stage, but if you fancy the thrill of the footlights, then now is your chance to get involved.

The Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch, start a new term of workshops next week for people interested in acting with the possibility of playing in the forthcoming Community Play.

The Billet Lane theatre, is offering a 13 week term of workshops under professional actors and singers with the first set under the direction of Marcia Carr, who produced and directed the recent showcase held in the foyer in late November.

This is the third year for the Queen's Community Company, which now has a core of 20 plus members.

The course costs £50 for the term and the group meet every Tuesday evening at the theatre.

Community plays have been taking place at the theatre of the past decade and usually held in late July, when the entire theatre is turned over to the players for a week's run.

With previous casts of more than 50, the five performance plays have become an essential part of the theatrical calendar and usually play to a full auditorium.

Previous successes include Up the River and Down the Road, a personal journey for theatre Front of House Manager, Dave Ross about his early days as a docker in London's east end, and his family's moving to the 'country' in Hornchurch.

This year's play has not been announced yet, but the workshops provide a good grounding for anyone who wants the chance to take part.

The first session starts on Tuesday January 15, and will be held at Fairkytes studio opposite the theatre, but you will need to book a place by calling the box office as space is limited.

Marcia Carr is a professional singer and actress and presently looking after the Youth Theatre in Barking's Broadway Theatre. Her last project at the Queen's with the community players was a showcase cabaret where players performed set pieces from a number of Shakespeare plays, Pygmalion, The Entertainer and many other small pieces including some from Neil Simon.

"I wanted to stretch the actors and get them to do a lot of things they would never have tried," said Marcia.

"It was very complicated and though not everything went to plan, the overall result was really excellent with a lot of them reaching levels even they did not think possible."

Auditions are not required for the workshops, but the Community Play auditions will be held in early spring.

To book places on the workshops, call the box office on 01708 443333 or the education department on 01708 462373.