Half Moon Autumn Brochure 2018 by Half Moon Theatre

What’s On Sep – Dec 2018 Celebrating world class theatre for young audiences 020 7709 8900 | halfmoon.org.uk All Tickets £7

Season diary DATE

Fri 21 Sep

Sat 22 Sep

Fri 28 Sep

Sat 29 Sep

Sat 6 Oct

Sat 13 Oct

Sat 20 Oct

Sat 27 Oct

Sat 3 Nov

Wed 7 Nov

Thu 8 Nov

Fri 9 Nov

Sat 10 Nov

Mon 12 Nov

Sat 17 Nov

Thu 22 Nov

Fri 23 Nov

Sat 24 Nov

Sat 1 Dec

Tue 4 Dec

Wed 5 Dec

Thu 6 Dec

Fri 7 Dec

Sat 8 Dec

Sat 15 Dec

Sat 22 Dec

TIME

10.30am & 1.30pm

11am & 2pm

10.30am & 1.30pm

PRODUCTION

Butterflies

Need a Little Help

AGE

3 – 8

2 – 7

PAGE

11am & 2pm

Need a Little Help

2 – 7

11am, 1pm & 3pm

Plink & Boo

2 – 5

10am – 4pm

11am & 2pm

11am, 1pm & 3pm

4.30pm & 7pm

10.30am & 1.30pm

1.30pm & 4.30pm

3pm & 7pm

10.30am & 1.30pm

11am & 2pm

10.30am & 1.30pm

11am & 2pm

10.30am

11.45am

1.15pm

3pm

5.30pm

8pm

5.30pm

8pm

1.30pm & 4.30pm

10.30am & 1.30pm

11am & 2pm

Fun Palaces Free Family Fun Day

David Gibb & Brady Rymer: Songs Across the Pond

The Chit Chat Chalk Show

Over the Moon

Off the Grid

Sleepyhead

Snow White, Rose Red and Bear Brown

Comets Youth Theatre Sharing

Sunbeam Youth Theatre Sharing

Moonbeam Youth Theatre Sharing

Cinderella Ashputtel

Eclipse Youth Theatre Sharing

Lunar Youth Theatre Sharing

Equinox Youth Theatre Sharing

Solar Youth Theatre Sharing

Three Kings

Five Little Christmas Monkeys

The Enormous Turnip

All

3 – 8

0 – 2

13+

2 – 5

All

2 – 6

3 – 8

Coming in 2019 DATE

Sat 12 Jan

Sat 19 Jan

Sat 26 Jan

TIME

11am & 2pm

11am, 1pm & 3pm

11am & 2pm

Support us As a registered charity, each year we need to raise more than half of our turnover to support our various activities and keep our prices affordable. Support Half Moon today and help us to deliver our vital programme of work. 2

PRODUCTION

Snow Baby

Rise and Fall

Susannah and the Sunflower

AGE

3 – 6

3 – 8

PAGE

Ways to make a difference

Online: Donate securely via our website: halfmoon.org.uk You can also make a donation when you book tickets By standing order: Pick up a form from our foyer, download from our website or call 020 7709 8900

Easyfundraising: A free way to raise much needed funds for Half Moon, just by shopping online! Fundraising challenge: Take part in a sponsored event and run, walk or cycle for Half Moon

Welcome to our autumn season A very warm welcome to Half Moon’s new season of theatre for young audiences, which features 47 performances, 13 productions, 12 companies, 7 Youth Theatre shows and 2 visual artists. We’re delighted to be working with Tangled Feet on two co-productions, Butterflies and Need a Little Help, which both open at Half Moon before touring the UK; Fun Palaces, our free family fun day, returns for a fourth year; and we’re thrilled that David Lane (Free and Begin/End) has written an immersive new play for us, Off the Grid. This exciting new drama will tour the UK this autumn and follows on from our 2017 award-winning co-production of What Once Was Ours, which won the Off West End OFFIE Award for Best Production for Young People aged 13+. There’s lots to look forward to! See you soon. Chris Elwell, Director

Bookshop @ Half Moon We are delighted to offer a pop-up bookshop in partnership with the well-loved Brick Lane Bookshop. There’s a rolling selection of popular children’s books for all ages on offer, from classic favourites to some of the hottest new titles. The bookshop also stocks contemporary greeting cards, so Half Moon is the perfect place to buy that special gift or new bedtime story. bricklanebookshop.org

Party packages Celebrate your child’s special day at Half Moon. Book tickets for your group to see the afternoon show on the Saturday of your choice and hire our Upper Studio space (max. 25 children) for a post-show 90 minute party, for an additional £100. For more information, or to book, please call 020 7709 8900 or email us: admin@halfmoon.org.uk 3

Get involved! Why not join one of Half Moon’s Youth Theatres? It’s a brilliant way to explore drama, create performances and make lots of new friends at the same time. We have seven groups that run during term time.

Half Moon’s Youth Theatres School Years 1 – 3

Comets: Saturday 10am –11am Sunbeam: Saturday 11.15am –12.15pm Moonbeam: Saturday 12.45pm –1.45pm

School Years 4 – 6

Eclipse: Tuesday 4pm – 5.45pm Equinox: Wednesday 4pm – 5.45pm

School Years 7 – 12

Lunar: Tuesday 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Teenagers with disabilities (specialist group)

Solar: Wednesday 6.30pm – 8.30pm Autumn term begins on Saturday 22, Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 September. Youth Theatre Sharings will take place between 1 – 5 December, check the season diary for more information. For more information about our Youth Theatres visit halfmoon.org.uk/yt or contact us on 020 7709 8900.

Inclusive All of our Youth Theatres are open to young people with disabilities and our venue is fully accessible.

5 reasons to join »» Great value! Just £6 per session (£3 concession) »» Run by friendly and experienced tutors »» No auditions »» See shows at Half Moon and visit other London theatres »» Performances each term for friends and family

Arts Award We are able to support our Youth Theatre members to gain a Discover, Explore, Bronze and Silver Arts Award. The Arts Award is a nationally recognised qualification that has been developed by Arts Council England and Trinity Guildhall and aims to inspire young people to develop their arts and leadership talents.

Schools & teachers can also participate Last year, Half Moon worked with 24,000 young people in over 1,500 Creative Learning sessions across 131 schools. We work with nurseries, children’s centres, schools, colleges and community and youth organisations on a range of engaging projects, including supporting young people and schools in gaining Artsmark and Arts Award. This includes curriculum-focused workshops, after-school activities and initiatives to encourage young people to get into theatre, as well as professional development opportunities for teachers and other school staff, in partnership with Tower Hamlets Arts and Music Education Service (THAMES).

Projects include

Careers in Theatre: A hands-on, project-

management style experience for 11–17 year olds of all aspects of professional theatre

CPD for Teachers: A series of practical training sessions for primary and secondary school staff Dramatic Maths: An innovative project using drama and storytelling to engage children in KS2 maths DramaWorks: Bespoke experiential

residencies in non-mainstream settings for young people with additional needs or life limiting conditions

Early Years Creative Play: Sessions for children to explore their physicality and imaginations and to feel confident with creative play Gallery @ Half Moon: A chance for schools to experience the art in our gallery, meet the artist and use the pictures as stimulus for art, literacy and other curriculum work Next Steps: A programme using drama to

support Year 6 students with their transition to secondary school

Speech Bubbles: A year-long intervention programme working with KS1 children to develop their communication skills through drama

For more information visit halfmoon.org.uk/learning and subscribe to our e-newsletter. To discuss any of the projects or suggest other ways you would like to work with us at Half Moon, contact Beccy on 020 7709 8908 or email beccy@halfmoon.org.uk

Gallery @ Half Moon

Fri 21 Sep 10.30am & 1.30pm Sat 22 Sep 11am & 2pm Ages 3 – 8 40 mins

London Landscapes By Tomartacus 6 Sep – 22 Dec A vibrant collection of illustrated prints that brings London’s sprawling urban jungle to life in an explosion of vibrant colour. From the iconic Bethnal Green Gasworks, long synonymous with the East London skyline, to the unshakeable maritime majesty of Greenwich and the Dickensian charm of Limehouse, Tomartacus captures the unique and varied landscape of our city through a distinctly local lens. For all our exhibitions we provide a gallery trail for children. School and community groups can visit free of charge to support young people in gaining Arts Award Discover and Explore. Contact Beccy on 020 7709 8908 or beccy@halfmoon.org.uk

TANGLED FEET AND HALF MOON PRESENT

Butterflies

Three friends embark on an exciting adventure to chase their butterflies away. They cross new seas to uncharted lands, on a journey filled with discovery. The only trouble is they’re all a bit worried about it! During their voyage the group ride the waves, walk high bridges, skirt deep caves and climb to the sky, before reaching dry land braver than ever before. Join our intrepid characters as they step into the unknown in an uplifting tale of friendship, courage and facing your fears. Also on tour nationally. For more details visit halfmoon.org.uk/halfmoonpresents

#ButterfliesShow

Fri 28 Sep 10.30am & 1.30pm Sat 29 Sep 11am & 2pm Ages 2 – 7 40 mins

Sat 6 Oct 10am – 4pm All ages welcome Free Family Fun Day

TANGLED FEET AND HALF MOON PRESENT

Need a Little Help

Joe and Ella are a great team – they make each other laugh, help each other out and tackle all the chores their busy lives throw at them. But one morning things begin to change when Joe gets all tangled up and Ella has to do things alone. What will Ella do now? Will she be able to continue as before, or will it all get too much? If only she had a little help… Based on the experiences of young carers, the piece explores what it means to look after someone else when you are young. The young audience will help the performers look after each other, stepping into the shoes of young carers. Also on tour nationally. For more details visit halfmoon.org.uk/halfmoonpresents

#NeedALittleHelp

Fun Palaces Our free family fun day returns for a fourth year with a nature theme. Join us as we create a Fun Palace with an exciting and inspiring programme of events for all ages, celebrating arts, culture and science. Throughout the day we will have pop-up performances, live music, art sessions and craft workshops. Plus, we’ll have tea, cake and a few surprises along the way. Dip into one or two events or stay for the whole day! All events are free. Supported by Tower Hamlets Council and Co-op Stepney.

#FunPalaces

Sat 13 Oct 11am, 1pm & 3pm Ages 2 – 5 45 mins

Sat 20 Oct 11am & 2pm Ages 3+ 60 mins

CAN’T SIT STILL IN ASSOCIATION WITH PRIME THEATRE AND ACTION TRANSPORT THEATRE PRESENT

Plink and Boo

Welcome to the topsy-turvy world of Plink and Boo. In our den you’ll discover two boxes full to the brim with toys. Which one will you choose to play with? Combining acrobatics, live music and a LOT of toys, Plink and Boo is an interactive circus theatre experience that playfully explores why sometimes people can’t fit into boxes, even if it is the neatest place to put them. #PlinkAndBoo

LITTLE SEEDS MUSIC PRESENTS

David Gibb & Brady Rymer: Songs Across the Pond A brand new musical show for children that introduces families to a wide range of musical instruments and genres. With plenty of chances to join in and sing along, this is a show that will have the whole family up and dancing in no time. Award-winning singer songwriter David Gibb returns after sold out performances of Climb That Tree in 2017. Joining David all the way from the USA is three time Grammy nominee (Best Children’s Album) Brady Rymer, on his first trip to the UK. #SATPOnTour

Sat 27 Oct 11am & 2pm Ages 3 – 8 60 mins

Sat 3 Nov 11am, 1pm and 3pm Ages 0 – 2 30 mins

HAWK DANCE THEATRE AND THE KNOTTED PROJECT PRESENT

The Chit Chat Chalk Show

A magical and interactive chalky adventure that follows Kiko, a young girl struggling to understand how she feels about the strange new world she lives in. With her new friends, she embarks upon a quest to discover the mixture of emotions and colours that make her unique. Sitting amongst the set and performers, the young people in the audience play an essential part in helping Kiko on her journey. This charming and physical story dances, draws and giggles its way through from beginning to end. This interactive show could get a little bit chalky, so please wear suitable clothing! #ChitChatChalk

CATHERINE CARTER, SARAH FORBES AND JENNY GOULD PRESENT

Over the Moon

An interactive musical adventure that offers a calm, playful and creative first opera experience for babies and toddlers, weaving together gentle classical music with familiar nursery rhymes and games. Join the three live musicians for musical tickling, stretching, chomping and stamping as we journey together through the day: waking, eating, playing and sleeping. After the performance there is a play session for everyone to enjoy. Early booking is advised as this show has limited capacity.

#BabyOpera

Wed 7 – Mon 12 Nov Wed 4.30pm & 7pm, Thu 10.30am & 1.30pm, Fri 1.30pm & 4.30pm, Sat 3pm & 7pm, Mon 10.30am & 1.30pm Ages 13+ 60 mins

HALF MOON PRESENTS

Off the Grid “I trade in my teenage years for you To protect you Create what I never had So you’ll see how beautiful the world can be” Connor and Kelly are brother and sister. They share the same birthday, but ten years apart. Since the disappearance of their parents, when Kelly was three, they have been dependent on each other for survival. Connor is everything to Kelly: dad, brother, mum, friend – and storyteller. They’ve learned how important it is to believe in something fantastic when you’re living off the grid. But what happens when you discover you’ve made the wrong decision? Forced to back down, do you sacrifice your beliefs in order to stay together? Developed in partnership with young people, Off the Grid is an immersive new play by David Lane that navigates a shocking and heart breaking

human story through the underbelly of a hidden society. Follow Connor and Kelly over seven years and discover if their own tale is as hopeful as the fiction they’ve clung on to for their very existence. Off the Grid is written by one of the most exciting writers in the field of work aimed at teenage audiences, his previous work for Half Moon has included Free and Begin/End. Funded by The Royal Victoria Hall Foundation. Also on tour nationally. For more details visit halfmoon.org.uk/halfmoonpresents

#OffTheGrid

Sat 17 Nov 11am & 2pm Ages 2 – 5 45 mins

Thu 22 Nov 10.30am & 1.30pm Fri 23 Nov 10.30am & 1.30pm Sat 24 Nov 11am & 2pm Ages 4+ 50 mins

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE PRESENTS

Sleepyhead

It’s been a long day for Dad and he can hardly keep his eyes open. All he wants is for Baby to go to sleep so he can catch up on a little shut-eye too. Dad’s usually got some tricks up his sleeve to help send Baby off to the Land of Nod. But tonight, Baby has other ideas… As soon as Dad’s out of the way, Baby gets his hands on the magic top hat, and when his friend Rabbit shows up the fun and games really begin. Mix in some magic, a pinch of circus and a large dollop of silliness and you have the recipe for a little adventure with a lot of laughs.

HHHH The Times HHHH Time Out #SleepyHead

THEATRE OF WIDDERSHINS PRESENTS

Snow White, Rose Red and Bear Brown Snow White and Rose Red – sisters, twins, best friends – have lived in the forest since they were babes in the wood. Not as worldly wise as their mother would have liked, they are nonetheless kind, caring and sometimes a little over enthusiastic in their deeds. When their quiet life is interrupted by a friendly bear a new chapter begins. But why has the bear chosen them as playfellows? Why is there sadness in his eyes? And who on earth is that rude little man with a ridiculously long beard that they keep bumping in to? All questions will be untangled in this new show from Theatre of Widdershins, using puppets, storytelling, original music and a fantastical fairytale forest. #SnowWhiteRoseRedBearBrown 11

Sat 1 Dec 3pm Ages 3+ 50 mins

Thu 6 Dec 1.30pm & 4.30pm Fri 7 Dec 10.30am & 1.30pm Sat 8 Dec 11am & 2pm

Ages 5+ 55 mins BANYAN THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

Cinderella Ashputtel Enter a world where a shoe becomes a woman, a hat stand a tree, and a stool and broom combine to create a horse in front of your eyes. Cinderella Ashputtel is set to a swinging musical soundtrack that fuses traditionally crafted puppets with the transformation of ordinary objects through inventive design and animation. Banyan Theatre’s stylish and playful reworking of the Cinderella story explores its powerful fascination in a fresh and imaginative adaptation, which will delight both young and old. “Banyan strip away the Disney-glitz to reveal a plucky heroine who is both witty and charming.” The Scotsman #CinderellaAshputtel TRAVELLING LIGHT THEATRE PRESENTS

Three Kings

Three weary travellers from far off lands meet by chance as night approaches, all looking to the darkening skies. As shadows draw in, they eventually overcome their suspicions of each other and exchange stories; stories of love, stories of loss, stories of kings. Three Kings fuses storytelling, song, dance and puppetry in a sparkling show about finding out where you belong, overcoming your differences and listening to the secret stargazer in each of us. #ThreeKings

Sat 15 Dec 11am & 2pm Ages 2 – 6 35 mins

Sat 22 Dec 11am & 2pm Ages 3 – 8 40 mins

BABY PANDA THEATRE PRESENTS

Five Little Christmas Monkeys Join Zoo Keeper Sue and mischievous Little Monkey on Christmas Eve, and discover numbers are all around us. Packed with bold, engaging puppets and a musical mash-up, the makers of Dogs Don’t Do Ballet bring the universally popular song to life. Learn to love counting during an endlessly surprising riot of music, numbers and clowning in a madcap monkey puppet zoo! After the performance, audience members can meet the puppets.

“A kids show you can count on. Enchanting.” The Guardian #FiveLittleMonkeys ONE MOMENT IN TIME THEATRE PRESENTS

The Enormous Turnip Young Rosie dreams of carving a special turnip lantern for the Festival of Light. Little does she know how absolutely ENORMOUS her turnip will grow! Take a magical tour through the four seasons with Rosie as she plants and harvests her dream vegetable. She will need plenty of help from the audience, her animal friends and one small but very important root gnome. The Enormous Turnip is a gentle, playful retelling of this classic folktale, with a magical twist. Featuring beautifully handcrafted puppets and sets, storytelling, live music, songs and lots of joining in! After the performance, audience members can meet the puppets.

#EnormousTurnip 13

Coming in 2019 Sat 12 Jan 11am & 2pm Ages 3+ 50 mins

Sat 19 Jan 11am, 1pm and 3pm Ages 3 – 6 40 mins

Sat 26 Jan 11am & 2pm Ages 3 – 8 50 mins

SOUP SOAP THEATRE PRESENTS

PAGE ONE THEATRE PRESENTS

RIPSTOP THEATRE PRESENTS

A magical experience exploring family, love and loss, with lots of music, beautiful puppetry, confetti and funny bits for the whole family to enjoy.

Come and explore an ecosystem of balloons in a poetic and intriguing performance about holding on and letting go.

Snow Baby

#SnowBaby

Rise and Fall

#RiseAndFallPlay

Susannah and the Sunflower Susannah dreams of an amazing flower garden. When the wizard gives her three magical seeds, her dream starts to grow… #SusannahAnd TheSunflower

Stages of Half Moon Celebrating the rich heritage of Half Moon Theatre since 1972 Explore the full history of Half Moon Theatre online at stagesofhalfmoon.org.uk through photographs, programmes, news stories, documents, videos and filmed interviews with over 100 people. There’s more than 500 pages of information on productions, projects, people and buildings, so lots to discover! The Stages of Half Moon exhibition is now on permanent display in the upper corridor. It’s overflowing with photographs and original posters, so do take a look and learn more about our long history. stagesofhalfmoon.org.uk #HalfMoonHistory 14

About Half Moon

we include, we inform, we inspire Half Moon is a local organisation with a national remit, committed to supporting artists and young people at every stage of their creative development. Our activity includes a season of professional plays for young audiences, new writing and artform development, and an extensive Creative Learning programme, including seven Youth Theatres. Half Moon also tours professional work for young audiences across the UK under our producing arm, Half Moon Presents. For current productions and tour dates, visit halfmoon.org.uk/halfmoonpresents We also have a range of fully accessible spaces available to hire that are ideal for everything from meetings and rehearsals to book launches, filming or photo shoots. For more information visit halfmoon.org.uk/hire

A snapshot of last year’s achievements: »» 24,000 workshop participants »» 22,000 audience members »» 1,332 volunteer hours »» 295 artform development sessions with 55 artists »» 177 work experience sessions »» 170 members of our 7 Youth Theatre groups »» 131 schools and nurseries worked with in Tower Hamlets »» 13 shows toured to 124 other venues, including 32 libraries

We couldn’t do it without: We are also extremely grateful for support from: 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust Action for Bow Apples and Pears Backstage Trust BBC Children in Need The Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation Bruce Wake Charitable Trust Charity Bank Chesterhill Charitable Trust The Derek Shuttleworth Educational Trust easyfundraising Ernest Cook Trust Figure53 for QLAB4 The Fitton Trust Garfield Weston Foundation Grange Farm Centre Trust Jack Petchey Foundation Joanies Fund The Lynn Foundation Postcode Local Trust Rhododendron Trust The Royal Victoria Hall Foundation The Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust Souter Charitable Trust St Olave’s Foundation Fund Theatres Trust Unity Theatre Trust The Worshipful Company of Horners Also a big thanks to our many individual donors. 15

Book tickets

By phone: 020 7709 8900 Online: halfmoon.org.uk In person: Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm Sat 10am – 4pm All tickets £7. No booking fees. Group discounts available. Free tickets for babies under 12 months, unless the show is specifically for their age range. See our website for booking conditions.

Getting to us

Get in touch Half Moon 43 White Horse Road London E1 0ND admin@halfmoon.org.uk Sign up to our e-news at halfmoon.org.uk halfmoon_theatre Follow us halfmoontheatre halfmoontheatre @halfmoontheatre halfmoontheatre

By train/tube: Just 2 minutes’ walk from Limehouse

5 Bus 2

mainline and DLR station (2 stops from Bank and Tower

ite Wh se Hor

Gateway). Follow signs for Bekesbourne Street when

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exiting station. 15 minutes’ walk from Stepney Green tube.

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By bus: Buses stop 1 minute away on Commercial Road junction with White Horse Road. Numbers 115,

s on R d Ben John

135 & D3. Other buses stop by Stepney Green tube (25)

elg

White Horse R oad

Half Moon

5.30pm on weekdays. Meter parking is available at all

Commer cial Rd

just 2 minutes’ walk away on Flamborough Street (at the

Buses 15, 115, 135, D 3 Cable St

junction with Yorkshire Road and Commercial Road). Visit tfl.gov.uk to check latest accessibility details and to

Butche r Row

By bike: There is a Santander Cycles docking station

l Tunne rhithe Rothe

Access

BSL

Commercial Rd

Limehouse

y ighwa The H

plan your journey.

Our blind and visually impaired audiences can pre-book touch tours prior to all performances. Some shows have British Sign Language for Deaf and hearing impaired audiences. Half Moon is a fully accessible building. We have baby changing facilities and space for buggies.

339

ee t

By car: Street parking is free at weekends and from at all times. We are not within the congestion zone.

rav eS

9, Buses 30

and Ben Jonson Road (309, 339).

other times. Street parking is free to disabled patrons

Rd End Mile

Stepney Green

TOUCH TOUR

Half Moon Young People’s Theatre Ltd is a registered company in England & Wales (2479179). Registered office: 43 White Horse Road, London E1 0ND. Registered Charity: 1010192. This brochure is printed using the environmentally friendly waterless printing process and is Forest Stewardship Council certified (FSC).