Living Without Fear
(Joseph Curtis - Hampshire Chronicle, June 2nd 2011)

It was one of the most powerful performances seen in Winchester for years.
Blue Apple Theatre performed a special preview of their new piece, Living Without Fear, at the Discovery Centre in Jewry Street on Tuesday, May 24.

The group, which involves actors with learning disabilities, put on a blend of moving dance with poignant scenes of prejudice and hate crimes.

Director Peter Clerke joined his troupe of actors to portray various characters either on the end of or dishing out abuse.

Writer Will Jessop drew on the actor’s own experience as well as national news stories to flesh out the scenes. He merged comedy with serious storylines to give the audience a breather, a technique that paid off but also showed how quickly something ‘funny’ can get out of hand.

One character, Bobby, played by the very talented Tommy Jessop, was the victim of ‘mate crime’, where Peter Clerke’s neighbour wormed his way into his life posing as a friend before taking advantage of the vulnerable youth and abusing and threatening him.
But the most powerful scene was at the end of the play, where Ros Davies, Katie Francis and Lawrie Morris were terrorised by a gang comprising of Tommy Jessop, James Elsworthy and Peter Clerke, accompanied by startling sound effects.

A Blue Apple Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hampshire Chronicle, June 2010)

‘…a magical evening, full of delightful and imaginative detail. In a wonderfully creative take on the familiar story, the company brought out the play’s comedy and drama and took us on an enchanting journey from discord to harmony… The movement to music by a company of fairies was a spectacular piece of physical theatre… an engaging and beautiful experience.        

It is to be hoped that Blue Apple’s rich and innovative work can continue and take new players and audiences on more such wonderful journeys.’     

Captain Miserable and the Book Guardian (Hampshire Chronicle, December 2010)

‘.... wonderful ‘Alice in Wonderland’ fantasy, skillfully and imaginatively written by William Jessop, which gives the performers the opportunity of portraying a range of characters which everyone played with enthusiasm, conviction and courage...... an intricate dance ....with amazing skill and feeling. So captivating was this production that any thought of learning disablement never crossed one’s mind.’

COMMENTS FROM ARTS PROFESSIONALS

 ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream, set in the grounds of the Tower Arts Centre in the summer of 2010, was particularly inspiring, giving the participants the all too rare opportunity to express themselves by using their voices, their bodies, and their enthusiastic creative energy, in a well devised and enchanting production.’         
Winchester City Council Arts Development Officer

‘Blue Apple is a fantastic initiative... The work requires great discipline, concentration, memory, the development of language and physical skills and the need to work collaboratively with a wide range of other people.  Over the years, I have seen the journeys that various members of the company have taken as they have developed skills and have seen significant progression.’
Hampshire County Council Arts Development Officer

'Overwhelming achievement...  great enthusiasm and looked great...  impressive discipline.' 
Arts Professional

‘People now have something to talk about, they have an outlet for self expression. People individually are more confident’
Professional care worker


AUDIENCE FEEDBACK FOR A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM

‘What an achievement from so many points of view and your wider aims are becoming so successful – I can only say well done! Well done! And keep on dreaming’

‘What perhaps is your greatest achievement is that the production stands up for itself on artistic and entertainment merit alone and one forgets that for some of the performers there are some quite major challenges they have to be able to take part.’

‘I thought the cast were superb, the script was a joy and the costumes and scenery inspired’

‘Many congratulations to everyone on your glorious production of The Dream, a la Blue Apple. It was a delight from beginning to end, and worked like, well, a dream...’

‘quite took my breath away’

‘what a funny, thoroughly professional and uplifting performance’

‘Congratulations to a thoroughly professional cast’

‘I think I finally understand Shakespeare’

‘”All the world‘s a stage”. What an exceptional performance in such a colourful world! Who really were the audience? Were we all but players in a dream?’

 ‘a sublime show’

‘a very impressive performance and the first time I have understood A Midsummer's Night Dream!’


COMMENTS FROM COMPANY MEMBERS

‘I can be myself – people understand me’

‘I just want to act, dance and sing and this is where I can do these things’

‘Can I just say this is really fantastic. I’m loving it’

‘This is a very special time. ..... all so friendly’

‘This is going to change my life’.  (University student participant)