Half Moon Autumn Brochure 2023

Season diary

Coming in 2024

Support us

As a registered charity, each year Half Moon’s small, dedicated team works hard to raise around two thirds of our turnover through donations and grants – everything raised is used to support our various activities and keep our prices affordable. Now more than ever, we need your help.

halfmoon.org.uk/support-us

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: Set up a standing order with your bank, then complete our online form (or pick one up from the foyer) so we have all the details

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 featuring live music, puppetry, dance, storytelling, comedy and immersive theatre. We’re continuing the conversation about the environment and welcoming exciting new companies to perform, plus we’ve two shows with fully integrated British Sign Language (BSL) – must-sees for hearing and d/Deaf young people.

We’re excited to be working with Amal Khalidi and Tatenda Naomi Matsvai on Hot Orange, our new immersive show for teenagers and adults that opens 9 November before touring the country. Our Fun Palaces free community event returns on 7 October for its eighth outing, plus we’re thrilled to host The Big Family Art Event on 9 December.

Can’t make it to Half Moon? Don’t forget that our On Demand streaming platform allows you to watch a range of theatre for young audiences in the comfort of your home. We’ve just added three new shows, so take a look at halfmoon.org.uk/on-demand

See you soon.

Chris Elwell, Director

Gallery @ Half Moon

Picture a Story

By Children’s Writers and Illustrators for Stories and Literacy (CWISL)

14 September – 22 December 2023

A vibrant exhibition that shines the spotlight on the creative and innovative world of children’s book illustration.

Colourful, diverse, wry and amusing, Picture a Story brings together a collection of illustrations by artists whose published work covers an array of genres, from babies to teenagers.

As part of the exhibition, we are working with local schools to deliver workshops and online activities with authors and illustrators. We also provide a gallery trail for children, schools and community groups to support young people in gaining Arts Award Discover and Explore. Contact Androulla on 020 7709 8908 or androulla@halfmoon.org.uk

The Big Family Art Event

Alongside our exhibition, we have an interactive family event on Saturday 9 December, various times from 11am–3.15pm, with some of the award-winning authors and illustrators featured in Picture a Story. Explore the bright and imaginative world of visual storytelling through live drawing and storytelling sessions, shows, activities and lots of joining in!

Full details on our website: halfmoon.org.uk

Illustration by Karin Littlewood

Thu 21 & Fri 22 Sep

20 min slots continuous

Thu from 10.40am, last show 3.40pm

Fri from 10.20am, last show 2.40pm

Ages 0–18 months 15 mins

DANIEL NADDAFY AND MARTY LANGTHORNE PRESENT

First Light

Bathe in sound and light with your baby as you explore the wonders of how their senses develop. Sit, lie down or stand while sharing this intimate and immersive experience together.

Inspired by babylab research into the expanding vision of children from birth until 18 months, this 15-minute installation distils the world of awakening perception into a unique experience. Real-life soundscapes and harmonies echo a newborn’s hearing, as lights twinkle and colour slowly fills the performance pod.

Early booking is advised as this show has extremely limited capacity.

Sat 23 Sep 11am & 2pm

Ages 5+ 45 mins

MOXIE BRAWL PRESENTS

Punk Alley

Enter the world of the Lazurr Tuts, a guitar-wielding, foot stomping punk band made up of misfits and outcasts. They’re in the business of making music and speaking out, and you’ve been invited to an exclusive, acoustic rehearsal.

Come on a journey of self-expression in this loud, wild and unapologetic joyride of live original punk music and high-energy dance. No matter how loud or soft, the Lazurr Tuts want you to discover that what you have to say is important.

This show is British Sign Language (BSL) integrated.

Sat 30 Sep 11am, 1pm & 3pm

Ages 3–7 65 mins

GROOVE BABY PRESENTS

Grooving with Pirates

Join a bunch of merry buccaneers on a funk and jazz-fuelled musical adventure across the seas to find some treasure. Meet monsters and mermaids, take musical challenges and strut your stuff on the gangplank.

This swashbuckling tale of friendship, loyalty and a magic chest features a fun mixture of animation, interactive music making and solid groove from the Groove Baby Organ Trio. High-energy interactive theatre meets hard grooving gig.

Sat 7 Oct 10am–4pm

All ages

Free Family Fun Day

Our Fun Palaces free family fun day returns for an eighth year with another selection of fun community events to get involved in.

Throughout the day we will have pop-up storytelling performances, music and movement workshops, plus art and craft activities for everyone to get involved with. We’ll also 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. Refreshments are available to buy throughout the day.

Sat 14 Oct 11am, 1pm & 3pm

Ages 0–2 30 mins

ENGLISH TOURING OPERA PRESENTS

Under the Little Red Moon

This new story for babies and their grownups begins with a red moon rising. But why is the moon red? Now it’s turned blue and it’s crying. Do the ladybirds know why? Perhaps the little pond can tell us? Or maybe the rabbits have the answer. Made in consultation with paediatricians, English Touring Opera’s Under the Little Red Moon explores the development of language with the help of music and movement.

Early booking is advised as this show has limited capacity.

Sat 21 Oct 11am, 1pm & 3pm

Ages 3–11 30 mins

FOLLOW THROUGH COLLECTIVE PRESENTS

1 Click Away

An immersive dance show that follows four performers on a journey into the world of packaging materials, exploring the impact of online shopping on the environment.

In a visually engaging spectacle, parcels and cardboard boxes are built and dismantled to create temporary sculptures and shifting landscapes. Children and their families can actively participate in the show by building new structures and learning about waste production, inspiring a new generation of eco-consciousness.

Early booking is advised as this show has limited capacity.

Sat

Ages 3+ 45 mins

FLOCK THEATRE MAKERS PRESENTS

There’s a Tiger in the Garden

Bored at home with nothing to do, Nora is sent out to play in the garden in search of a tiger. Join Nora as she discovers dragonflies as big as her head, plants that can eat you whole, a polar bear that likes fishing and maybe, just possibly, a tiger in the garden.

Based on Lizzy Stewart’s prize-winning book, this new piece of theatre brings Nora’s story to life using puppetry, imaginative design and music.

After the performance, audiences are invited onto the stage to meet the puppets.

Sat

Ages 4+ 50 mins

Stories in the Dust

Two intrepid explorers journey across the dusty world that is their home. They make up songs and tell stories, inspired by the treasures they’ve collected. One day they find something extra special. Something that promises to breathe life back into the empty land that surrounds them. Is it a chance for change, or will their hopes be dashed once again?

With live music, puppetry and clowning, Stories in the Dust is a funny, heartfelt family show that takes you to another world. One where an ancient book guides your way, a drop of rain changes everything and a mighty lion holds his secrets in an old clay pot.

ANNA HARRIOTT AND IONA JOHNSON PRESENT

Ages 13+ 60 mins

HALF MOON PRESENTS

Hot Orange

It’s summer. It’s hot. Like really hot. Like ice pop after melting ice pops hot. Like orange midday sun hot. Across the divide of a scorched basketball court two girls meet, shoot hoops and discover their shared obsessions make them inseparable friends. But will faith, growing pains and the darker reactions of others get in the way of that long, hot, orange summer?

A decade later the past walks back into view when 18-year-old Amina is confronted by her childhood best friend Tandeki. Can they reignite the spark of friendship by untangling their hurt feelings, or are some heartbreaks just too hard to mend?

Hot Orange follows Amina and Tandeki as they navigate what it takes to sustain love and friendship beyond childhood idealism and the moment you fall in love.

Hot Orange, by Amal Khalidi and Tatenda

Naomi Matsvai, is Half Moon’s latest production presented in our multiaward winning immersive theatrical style, exquisitely framed within an evocative soundscape.

After the performance there is an onstage Q&A session with the company.

Also on tour nationally. Visit halfmoon.org.uk/touring for more details.

Content warning: Hot Orange includes references to attitudes and language choices expressing negative opinions about same-sex relationships.

Hot Orange is supported by The Royal Victoria Hall Foundation.

Fri 17 Nov 10.30am & 1.30pm

Sat 18 Nov 11am & 2pm

Ages 4+ 50 mins

TRICKYART PRESENTS

The Crockodogopig

Follow Crock as he embarks on a quest to retrieve his stolen Happy from the wicked Kangalouse. What sinister scheme does the Kangalouse have up his sleeve? Find out as you join the Crockodogopig on this exciting journey!

The Crockodogopig is a fresh, fun-filled family show that combines live music, puppetry, comedy and beatboxing to tell the story of a mixed-up creature who has lost his Happy.

Thu 23 Nov 10.30am & 1.30pm

Fri 24 Nov 10.30am & 1.30pm

Sat 25 Nov 11am & 2pm

Ages 4+ 60 mins

The Lightbulb Princess

A delightful new show full of sparkle and song. Can you help a very unusual princess solve an unexpected problem? Without the twinkle of fairy lights, the holiday season could be cancelled! It’s up to our intrepid explorer, her pals and you to illuminate the world again.

A fun-filled, sparkling extravaganza exploring the sensational science behind electricity. Featuring catchy original songs from Ziad Jabero and electrifying storytelling, The Lightbulb Princess will light up children’s imaginations and inspire them to learn more about the world around them.

TUTTI FRUTTI AND ONE TENTH HUMAN PRESENT

Sat 9 Dec Various: 11am–3.15pm

All ages welcome

CHILDREN’S WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS FOR LITERACY (CWISL) AND HALF MOON PRESENT

The Big Family Art Event

Join us for an interactive art and literature experience that explores the bright and imaginative world of visual storytelling through live drawing and storytelling sessions, shows, activities and lots of joining in!

Meet award-winning authors and illustrators, watch as stories spring to life in front of your eyes, take part in paper-craft adventures, design your own book cover, and discover how to use clay to create small 3D characters. We’ll also have a unique performance featuring drawing, fast rapping and interactive songs, plus a big draw improvisation session where you help develop a story and create a big work of art!

The Big Family Art Event will inspire everyone to get creative and empower people to read, write, draw and share their own stories.

Early booking is advised as some events have limited capacity.

Sat 16 Dec 11am & 2pm

Ages 3+ 45 mins

DEAFINITELY THEATRE AND PIED PIPER THEATRE PRESENT

Can Bears Ski?

Little Bear can’t hear Dad Bear calling, but feels the floor vibrate with heavy footsteps. Little Bear can’t catch the funny joke at school when friends are laughing, but feels the crunch of snow on frozen pavements. Join Little Bear and Dad Bear as they learn how there are many ways to communicate love and to find your place in the world.

A retelling of a story by Raymond Antrobus and Polly Dunbar, Can Bears Ski? draws on the author’s experience as a d/Deaf child in a hearing world.

This show is British Sign Language (BSL) integrated.

Sat 13 Jan 11am & 2pm

Ages 3–8 50 mins

LUMINOUS TALES PRESENTS

The Witch and the Egg

One performer and a flock of shadow puppets tell an engaging and heart-warming story about friendship, laughter and flying the nest. At the end of the performance there is a stay and play session.

Sat 20 Jan 11am & 2pm

Ages 3+ 45 mins

LASTHEATRE PRESENTS

The Littlest Yak

Join Gertie on her adventures through the Himalaya in this beautiful adaptation of the awardwinning children’s book. Featuring beautiful puppets and catchy tunes, it’s an uplifting tale of self-acceptance.

Sat 27 Jan 11am & 2pm

Ages 5+ 60 mins

DOMMY B PRESENTS Make Some Noise

A surprising story about growing up, finding a brilliant (but naughty) imaginary friend, becoming ‘Junk the Punk’ and joining a great school band (Whizzkid and the Veggie Burgers).

Half Moon On Demand

Unmissable children’s theatre, whenever you want it

A streaming service offering unforgettable theatre for young audiences, recorded live at Half Moon, available to watch any time, anywhere.

On Demand allows you to watch a show for £7 whenever you want and as many times as you like for 48 hours. Join us for an online performance that puts your sofa in the front row!

British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted productions and closed  captions are available.

halfmoon.org.uk/on-demand

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 eight 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/touring

A snapshot of last year’s achievements:

→ 44,500 people engaged

→ 28,000 workshop participants

→ 16,500 audience members

→ 1,500 creative learning sessions

→ 1,444 volunteer hours

→ 285 performances

We couldn’t do it without:

We are also extremely grateful for support from: Action for Bow

Aldgate & Allhallows Foundation

The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust

BBC Children in Need

Benevity Causes

Buzzacott Stuart Defries Memorial Fund

Canary Wharf Group

Chartered Secretaries and Administrators

Charitable Trust

Charterhouse Charitable Trust

Chesterhill Charitable Trust

City Bridge Trust

Clarion Futures

Clifford Chance

The Coln Trust

Co-op Local Community Fund

Derek Shuttleworth Educational Trust

East End Community Foundation

→ 126 freelancers, 9 core staff and 5 trainees employed

→ 73 schools worked with in Tower Hamlets

→ 67 venues visited on tour

→ 1 Off West End Theatre Award

easyfundraising

The Fitton Trust

Galliard Homes

Garfield Weston Foundation

The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation

The Henry Smith Charity

Jack Petchey Foundation

The Leche Trust

Merchant Taylors’ Charity

Ocean Regeneration Trust

Prudential Foundation

Royal Victoria Hall Foundation

Schroder Charity Trust

The Sheldon Trust

Sir Ian McKellan

Souter Charitable Trust

St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation

Tesco Community Grants

THAMES

Tower Hamlets Carbon Reduction Community Grants Programme

Unity Theatre Trust

The Worshipful Company of Coopers

Also a big thanks to our many individual donors

Theatre Passport

Launched as part of our 30th birthday celebrations in 2020, we need your help to continue Theatre Passport, a free ticket scheme for Tower Hamlets school and community groups. Working together with businesses, organisations and individuals, we can give local children the opportunity to experience the magic of live theatre, many for the first time, and start them on their creative journey.

→ £30 would let 4 young people visit Half Moon

→ £300 would allow 40 children and adults to come

→ £3,000 would enable 400 children and adults to attend

You can donate online at halfmoon.org.uk/passport or send a cheque made payable to Half Moon Young People’s Theatre to: Half Moon, 43 White Horse Road, London E1 0ND.

Stages of Half Moon

Our digital archive exploring the heritage of Half Moon Theatre

Discover the history of Half Moon Theatre through photographs, programmes, news stories, documents, videos and filmed interviews with over 100 people. There’s lots to uncover!

stagesofhalfmoon.org.uk

Host your event here

Do you need a space for a meeting, seminar or book launch? Or perhaps a studio theatre for rehearsing, filming or a photo shoot? Half Moon has several fully accessible spaces available to hire.

Please contact us with your requirements: call 020 7709 8900 or email admin@halfmoon.org.uk

Party @ Half Moon

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 £150.

For more information, visit halfmoon.org.uk/venue-hire

Bookshop @ Half Moon

We are delighted to offer a pop-up bookshop in partnership with the wellloved independent Brick Lane Bookshop.

There’s a rolling selection of popular children’s books for all ages on offer, from classic favourites to the hottest new titles, plus contemporary greeting cards.

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 eight groups that run during term time.

Half Moon’s Youth Theatres

School Years 1 – 3

Comets: Sat 10am–11am

Sunbeams: Sat 11.15am–12.15pm

Moonbeams: Sat 12.45pm–1.45pm

School Years 4 – 6

Eclipse: Tue 4pm–5.45pm

Equinox: Wed 4pm–5.45pm

School Years 7– 9

Lunar: Tue 6.30pm–8.30pm

School Years 10 –13

Orbit: Wed 6.30pm–8.30pm

Teenagers with disabilities (specialist group)

Solar: Mon 6.30pm–8.30pm

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

Too young for Youth Theatre?

We have sessions at local Children and Family Centres for under 3s and parents/carers. For more information visit halfmoon.org.uk/early-years

Interested in after school drama where you live?

We have a group for School Years 4–6 in Bow and three groups for School Years 7–9 in community spaces around Tower Hamlets. For more information visit halfmoon.org.uk/after-school-drama

Schools & teachers can also participate

Last year, Half Moon worked with over 28,000 workshop participants in 1,500 creative learning sessions, including working with 73 schools in our home borough of Tower Hamlets. We work with nurseries, children and family centres, schools, colleges and community and youth organisations on a range of engaging projects, including curriculum-focused workshops, afterschool 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, projectmanagement style experience for 13–17 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 or Science: Innovative projects using drama and storytelling to engage children in KS2 maths or science

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 and adults 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, with continued support in Years 7–9. Part of Tower Hamlets Youth Service

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

We also support young people and schools in gaining Artsmark and Arts Award.

For more information visit halfmoon.org.uk/learning. To discuss any of the projects

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

By train/tube: Just 2 minutes’ walk from Limehouse mainline and DLR station (2 stops from Bank and Tower Gateway). Follow signs for Bekesbourne Street when exiting station. 15 minutes’ walk from Stepney Green tube.

By bus: Buses stop 1 minute away on Commercial Road junction with White Horse Road. Numbers 115, 135 & D3. Other buses stop by Stepney Green tube (25) and Ben Jonson Road (309, 339).

By car: Street parking is free at weekends and from 5.30pm on weekdays. Meter parking is available at all other times. Street parking is free to disabled patrons at all times. We are not within the congestion zone.

By bike: There is a Santander Cycles docking station just 2 minutes’ walk away on Flamborough Street (at the junction with Yorkshire Road and Commercial Road). Visit tfl.gov.uk to check latest accessibility details and to plan your journey.

Access

All our performances are relaxed performances. Blind and visually impaired audiences can pre-book touch tours prior to all performances. Some of our shows are non-verbal, or have limited dialogue, and are accessible to a range of people including d/Deaf, hard of hearing and non-English speakers. We have baby changing facilities, space for buggies and an adult changing table.

Get in touch

Half Moon Theatre

43 White Horse Road

London E1 0ND

admin@halfmoon.org.uk

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BSL TOUCH TOUR