This year the Polish School ln Hitchin celebrates its fifteenth birthday.

The film “Warsaw 44”, made in 2014, by Jan Komasa is a culturally important film in Poland and is on the Polish A-level curriculum in the UK.   It is about the uprising in Warsaw in 1944 but as a film it helped to re-align the national conversation about this historic event.

Jan Komasa is an award winning director.   His latest film “The Good Boy“ released this year stars Stephen Graham and is on our possibles list.

This is a modern war film with romance at its heart so expect some blood and violence but nothing more than you get on TV.

There will be an introductory talk to explain more about the historical context and the film’s significance.   Polish snacks will be served before the film and there will be time for Q&A at the end.   Approximate timings are

Doors and bar with snack from 6pm

Talk 6.40pm

Film 7pm

Q&A 9pm

Backstairs Billy by Marcelo Dos Santos is a sharp, witty and surprisingly touching comedy that takes audiences behind the closed doors of Clarence House to reveal a side of royal life rarely seen.

At the centre of the story is William “Billy” Tallon, the Queen Mother’s devoted and fiercely protective page. Billy rules the royal backstairs with theatrical flair, razor-sharp wit and unwavering loyalty to the woman he serves.

Set during a time of great social change in Britain, the play explores loyalty, identity and the quiet power of those who live their lives in the shadows of the monarchy. With sparkling dialogue, moments of delicious camp humour and surprising emotional depth, Backstairs Billy offers a fascinating glimpse into the private world behind royal protocol.

Both hilarious and poignant, this critically acclaimed play shines a light on one of the royal household’s most intriguing characters and the complicated relationships that existed behind palace doors.

This production holds a special resonance for audiences at the Queen Mother Theatre. As the only theatre in the world to carry her title, it feels especially fitting that this story of her household is brought to life on our stage. In many ways, it feels as though the play is almost coming home.