Blue Apple Theatre

Blue Apple Theatre is a highly ambitious theatre company which brings all the benefits of taking part in theatre to adult performers with learning disabilities, and enables them to present high quality productions to the widest possible audiences.

Through entertaining, engaging and exciting performances, the company seeks to challenge prejudice and raise the ceiling of expectation for adults with learning disabilities. We are particularly interested in the relationship between arts and health.

Blue Apple believes that the self worth, meaning and purpose gained through direct involvement in the arts greatly helps in the building of a more inclusive and equal society.

Blue Apple Theatre has been named as the 1000th winner of the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service! Three cheers and THANK YOU to all of our volunteers!

Blue Apple is a fully inclusive company, where people of all abilities are equally valued.

Paul's Story

'Paul's Story' is a 20 minute film about disability hate crime that was commissioned by the Home Office Community Action Against Crime Innovation Fund, developed in partnership with Hampshire Constabulary and made with volunteers from the local community. The film is written and directed by William Jessop, and stars James E. It is now available on DVD via jane@blueappletheatre.com.

For a subtitled version of this trailer, please click here!

LIVING WITHOUT FEAR IN PARLIAMENT

Blue Apple actors took 'Living Without Fear', their fearless and empowering examination of disability hate crime, to Parliament by kind invitation of Mr Speaker John Bercow. They performed in Speaker's House to an audience which included ministers, MPs, Members of the House of Lords and Chief Police Officers. 'Living Without Fear' is written by William Jessop and directed by Peter Clerke with choreography by Jo Harris.

Picture of Blue Apple actors with John Bercow

'This was something I personally will never forget, and I am truly thrilled. This was a very special evening which I know had a profound impact on everyone present.
Blue Apple is not just a Winchester phenomenon, it is a national phenomenon'- Steve Brine MP

'A profoundly moving and challenging production. It deserves to be seen by a wide audience.’ - Professor Lord Alton

'They are such an inspiring group’ - Dame Anne Begg, Chair of Work and Pensions Select Committee

'The play is remarkable at so many different levels – it is genuinely a prophetic work' - Revd Canon David Williams

RECENT PRODUCTIONS:

The Happy Prince
Blue Apple's Christmas 2012 Extravaganza! Oscar Wilde's moving tale told through drama, dance, animation, spoken word and percussion. Performances sold out 6 - 8th December 2012 at the Tower @ Kings. Photos coming soon!

Hamlet
An extraordinary new vision of Hamlet. The greatest play in the world - as you've never seen it before...This fresh, fearless and funny adaptation uses Shakespeare's original language. Think you know Hamlet? Think again!
Pop-Up Shakespeare
Tommy and Lawrie were picked at audition by Mark Rylance to take part in 'Surprises: What You Will, Pop-Up Shakespeare' in association with the Globe for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. Mark Rylance described Tommy's 'To be or not to be' speech as "phenomenal".