Ken Livingstone was invited as guest of honour for the evening by John Cryer, MP for Hornchurch, who was also present.

Following the performance, the Queen’s Theatre Artistic Director Bob Carlton, John Cryer MP and Ken Livingstone took to the Queen’s Theatre stage for speeches.

Describing the difficulties faced over the years by professional producing theatres, such as the Queen’s, John Cryer MP for Hornchurch said, “the Queen’s Theatre hasn’t survived by pure luck, but by pure hard work… and it has survived to become one of the most successful theatres of its kind in the country. I look forward to the Queen’s being here in 50 years time, demonstrating that quality and popular theatre are not mutually exclusive.”

Describing the Queen’s Theatre as “a tribute to London”, Ken Livingstone said “It is a tragedy that each London Borough cannot maintain a theatre such as the Queen’s… As Mayor of London, the GLA is committed, through our cultural strategy, to support the Queen’s Theatre… In years to come people will realise the importance and diversity of London’s suburban cultural centres… [and] boroughs across London will be envious of the Queen’s achievements in Havering.”

Other guests included:

Cllr Edward Cahill and Mrs Lucy Cahill, Mayor and Mayoress of Havering; Cllr Shirley Howe, Mayor of Brentwood; Cllr Susan Perry, Mayor of Epping Forest; Cllr Gerard Rice and Mrs Barbara Rice, Mayor and Mayoress of Thurrock; Cllr Bob Belam and Mrs Wenda Belam, Mayor and Mayoress of Waltham Forest and Cllr Sukhdev Marway and Satnam Marway, representing the Mayor of Newham.

Stephen Evans, Acting Chief Executive, London Borough of Havering; Eric Munday, Leader of the Council, London Borough of Havering; Cllr Andrew Curtin, Lead Member for Culture, London Borough of Havering; Roger Evans, GLA Representative for Havering and Redbridge; and Angela Watkinson, MP for Upminster.

They were joined by past and present theatre staff and actors, representatives of the community and representatives of the theatre industry.

This special performance of Kind Hearts and Coronets on Monday 22 September was the culmination of a weekend of events celebrating the theatre’s 50th Anniversary, which was launched by Her Majesty The Queen during her official visit to the theatre on 6 March 2003.

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The events got underway on Saturday 20 September with Dancing Houses, part of London Open House and in partnership with East London Dance. Four backstage tours with a dancing difference, saw specially choreographed dances to music from musicals produced at the theatre over the last 50 years, highlighting some of the theatrical magic behind the scenes at the Queen’s.

Education Manager, Samantha Lane said, “Each of the four Dancing House tours were full to capacity. Performing in settings such as the roof, the bar, backstage areas, the stage and rehearsal space, Dancing Houses involved lots of people from the local community who have been working with professional dancers and choreographers to create fun and innovative new dance pieces, celebrating the Queen's as a producing theatre”.

On Sunday 21 September, at 10.30 am, a Celebration Service for the Queen’s Theatre was held at St Andrew’s Church, Hornchurch, led by Rev Canon Hugh Dibbens. The church service was well attended by the local community and involved performances and readings from members of the Queen’s professional company of actor-musicians and members of Q Club, the Queen’s Youth Theatre for 7-11 year olds.

From 12.45 to 2.45 on Sunday 21 September, the Queen’s Theatre Foyer played host to a lively Celebration Jazz Session from Pete Corrigan and the Band of Hope, with celebrity guest André Besson.

During the evening of Sunday 21 September the London Pops Orchestra took to the Queen’s Theatre stage for a 50th Anniversary Gala Extravaganza.

The orchestra presented a musical journey through the theatre’s history, performing songs from the most successful musicals produced at the Queen’s in the last 50 years including The Boyfriend, Salad Days, Joseph, Tommy, Side by Side by Sondheim, My Fair Lady, Cabaret, Annie, Jesus Christ Superstar, Blood Brothers, a special tribute to Lionel Bart and Return to the Forbidden Planet.

Performing with the London Pops Orchestra were members of cut to the chase… the Queen’s professional company of actor-musicians, including: Matt Devitt, Ben Goddard, Anthony Hunt, Paul Leonard, Julian Littman, Elizabeth Marsh, Jane Milligan, Wendy Parkin, Philip Reed, Sarah Redmond and Carol Sloman. They were joined by members of the Queen’s Junior Youth Theatre.

Narrating the evening, and telling the Queen’s Theatre story, were actors who have appeared at the Queen’s Theatre in the past, including; Peter Baldwin, who starred in Coronation Street for over 20 years as Derek Wilton; and John “Ginger” Halstead who has performed at the Queen’s in 29 productions from 1979. Also narrating were Matt Devitt, Steve Edwin, Jonathan Markwood, Celia White and Caroline Wildi, all members of the current company.