Half Moon Autumn Brochure 2015

What’s On Autumn 2015: Birthday Season Celebrating 25 years of theatre for young audiences Box office 020 7709 8900 | www.halfmoon.org.uk

Season diary DATE

TIME

PRODUCTION

AGE

PAGE

Sat 3 Oct

10am – 4pm

Fun Palaces Free Family Fun Day

All

6

Sat 26 Sep Sat 10 Oct

Mon 12 Oct Tue 13 Oct

Wed 14 Oct Thu 15 Oct Fri 16 Oct

Sat 17 Oct Sat 24 Oct Sat 31 Oct

Mon 2 Nov

Wed 4 Nov Thu 5 Nov Sat 7 Nov

Sat 14 Nov Sat 21 Nov Sat 28 Nov Tue 1 Dec Tue 1 Dec

Wed 2 Dec Wed 2 Dec Sat 5 Dec Sat 5 Dec Sat 5 Dec Sat 5 Dec

Sat 12 Dec Sat 12 Dec Sat 19 Dec

11am & 2pm 11am & 2pm

4.30pm & 7pm 4.30pm

10.30am & 1.30pm 4.30pm & 7pm 4.30pm

3pm & 7pm

11am, 1.30pm & 3pm 11am & 2pm

1.30pm & 4.30pm

10.30am & 1.30pm 10.30am & 1.30pm 11am & 2pm

10am, 12pm & 2pm 11am & 2pm 11am & 2pm 5.30pm 8pm

5.30pm 8pm

10.30am 11.45am 1.15pm 3pm

11am 2pm

11am & 2pm

The Elves and the Shoemaker Mr Tiger Goes Wild Map of Me Map of Me Map of Me Map of Me Map of Me Map of Me

Where Caterpillars Go Snow Child

Our Teacher’s a Troll Our Teacher’s a Troll Our Teacher’s a Troll Bear and Butterfly

Circles in the Sand

Once Upon a Snowflake

The Boy Who Never Grew Up

Eclipse Youth Theatre Sharing Lunar Youth Theatre Sharing

Equinox Youth Theatre Sharing Solar Youth Theatre Sharing

Comets Youth Theatre Sharing

Sunbeam Youth Theatre Sharing

Moonbeam Youth Theatre Sharing Oddly

Super Monkey Monkey

The Singing Ringing Tree

3+ 3+

13 + 13+

13 + 13+

13 + 13+

2 – 5 3 – 7 7+ 7+ 7+

4 – 7 0 – 3 3+ 4+

All 8+

All All All All All

3 – 8 3 – 6 4+

3 – 7

6 7 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9

10 10 10 11 11

12 12 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

13 13 13 14

Gallery @ Half Moon

Recycollages – Junk Transformed

by Susan Wadsworth, 3 Sep – 19 Dec A striking and playful exhibition of mixed media assemblages, created by using the everyday debris of our throw-away society, such as plastic toys, bags and bottle tops. All works are for sale.

Beneath the artwork, there are chalkboards for visitors of all ages to make their own responses to the art. For all our exhibitions, we provide a gallery trail for children and special events. School and community groups can visit free of charge by pre-booking and can use our gallery trail to support Arts Award Discover and Explore.

Contact Beccy on 020 7709 8908 or beccy@halfmoon.org.uk 2

Welcome to our 25th Birthday Season A very warm welcome to Half Moon’s new season of world class theatre for young audiences which celebrates our 25th birthday.

This autumn we are featuring the work of 14 wonderfully inventive companies, offering an exciting mix of puppetry, storytelling, live music, interactive play, physical theatre and ingenious design. It’s going to be a thrilling 12 week season which will stimulate the imagination and we are delighted to share it with you. Don’t forget there’s free parking at weekends and we are just a two minute walk from Limehouse mainline and DLR station.

Alongside our professional shows, we have a host of opportunities for young people to participate in theatre and drama with their nurseries, schools, colleges and, importantly, independently – in fact, this term we launch our seventh youth theatre! There’s more information on the following pages and much more detail on our website, www.halfmoon.org.uk.

I look forward to welcoming you to our birthday season.

Chris Elwell, Director

Support us and make a difference in our 25th year 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 for another 25 years.

Every donation received will go directly towards helping children and young people.

Ways to make a difference

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

In the foyer: Feed cash donations to Danny, our mechanical dragon Gift Aid: Use Gift Aid and make your donation to Half Moon worth more at no extra cost

P.S. Don’t forget to join our online community on Facebook and Twitter and become part of the conversation. Every show has a #hashtag, so why not tweet us your comments and pictures and let us know what you think!

STOP PRESS: Have you got a story to tell about any era of Half Moon’s history?

We have been awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for young people to explore our rich heritage and the role Half Moon played in the East End, as well as in the development of theatre since the 1970s. Please get in touch if you have a story to share. Check out our website for more details.

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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 – 6pm Equinox: Wednesday 4pm – 6pm

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 Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23 and Saturday 26 September.

Contact us today to reserve your place.

Youth Theatre Sharings will take place 1 – 5 December, check the season diary for more information.

For more information about our Youth Theatres visit www.halfmoon.org.uk/yt or contact us on 020 7709 8900.

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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 £5 per session (£2.50 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 23,500 young people in over 1,300 Creative Learning sessions across 88 centres. We work with nurseries, children’s centres, schools, colleges, and community and youth organisations on a range of engaging projects. This includes 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.

Projects include

Careers in Theatre: A hands-on, project-

for children to explore their physicality and imaginations and to feel confident with dance and creative movement

DramaWorks: Bespoke experiential residencies

Early Years Dance and Drama: Sessions

Speech Bubbles: A year-long programme working with KS1 children to develop their communication skills through drama Dramatic Maths: An innovative project using drama and storytelling to engage children in KS2 maths Transitions: A programme using drama to support Year 6 students with their transition to secondary school

management style experience for 11 – 17 year olds of all aspects of professional theatre in non-mainstream settings for young people with additional needs or life limiting conditions

Gallery @ Half Moon: A chance for schools to experience the art in our gallery, meet the artist and use the pictures as stimulus for literacy and other curriculum work CPD for Teachers: A series of practical training sessions for primary and secondary school staff, in partnership with Tower Hamlets Arts and Music Education Service (THAMES)

For more information visit www.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

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Sat 26 Sep 11am & 2pm Ages 3+ 50 mins

Sat 3 Oct 10am – 4pm All ages welcome

Fun Palaces Join us for our free family fun day as we create a unique pop-up Fun Palace in all the nooks and crannies of our building. We will be showcasing a vibrant collection of events celebrating arts and the environment organised by our local community for our local community.

Throughout the day we have 15 minute interactive storytelling performances by Tell Tale Hearts Theatre, with tales of fairies, beasts and kings from around the world.

There’s also Pentapaper’s interactive art installation The Machine of Visual Delights, performing arts and music workshops, crafts sessions, and a chance to enjoy our exhibition and follow the gallery trail. Plus, we have tea, cake and lots of surprises!

THEATRE OF WIDDERSHINS PRESENTS

The Elves and the Shoemaker

Elvis Schumacher, cobbler and craftsman, has worked hard all his life creating the most beautiful footwear. But now he’s hit tricky times – everyone’s buying boring shoes from the evil businessman, Bunyan Sole-less. Time is running out for Elvis.

With one piece of leather left and Bunyan’s factory growing, can anyone help him?

This well-known and much loved tale has been re-heeled by Theatre of Widdershins in their own inimitable and dynamic style.

Beautifully crafted puppets, sublime music, a kaleidoscope of miniature shoes and a comic mouse, make this a magical must-see. #ElvesAndShoemaker 6

Free Family Fun Day Timetable of events

Workshops and activities: 10am – 4pm The Machine of Visual Delights: 11am – 3.45pm Suitcase Stories: 10.30am, 11.15am, 12pm, 12.45pm, 2pm & 2.45pm

Fun Palaces is a free, nationwide celebration of arts and culture. Join us as we reduce, reuse and recycle like never before through all things arty and dramatic. Dip into one or two events, or stay for the whole day!

All events are free. Refreshments are available to buy throughout the day.

Supported by Tower Hamlets Council. #FunPalaces

Sat 10 Oct 11am & 2pm Ages 3+ 50 mins

GOBLIN THEATRE PRESENTS

Mr Tiger Goes Wild Meet the tiger who came to party!

Mr. Tiger lived a perfectly proper life in a perfectly proper city and everything was perfectly fine… until the day he had a wonderfully wild idea! Join Mr Tiger on a rocking musical adventure full of fun and laughter as he journeys from the city to the jungle.

Adapted from the book by Peter Brown, Mr Tiger Goes Wild is a story about being yourself and features original live music, hilarious characters and lots of rock and roll imagination that will have children roaring with laughter from start to finish.

“An unmissable musical delight… makes the kids in the packed audience scream with incredulous laughter” HHHH TIME OUT #MrTigerGoesWild

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Mon 12 – Sat 17 Oct Mon 4.30pm & 7pm, Tue 4.30pm,

Wed 10.30am & 1.30pm, Thu 4.30pm & 7pm, Fri 4.30pm, Sat 3pm & 7pm Ages 13+ 50 mins

HALF MOON PRESENTS

Map of Me a Papertale production

From baking African deserts to the snow angels of a UK winter, this emotional and heartfelt journey reveals a compelling story of forced migration.

Two very different characters find common ground within the poetry of the streets. The audience becomes the prized confidante on a young girl’s journey, where each step towards security is fraught with danger, prejudice and the unknown.

Map of Me explores how a displaced child finds a sense of self and belonging, in a moving and uplifting show written from real-life experiences of young asylum seekers. It tells the story of a young girl fleeing war in her homeland as she seeks safety, identity and a place to call home.

Map of Me features prize-winning poets and performers Azfa Awad and Rosemary Harris.

The performance is immediately followed by a free short talkback session.

Black History Month events On Saturday 17 October we are holding a series of free workshops and discussions exploring issues around young refugees, working with Tower Hamlets New Residents and Refugee Forum, Counterpoints Arts and the creators of acclaimed film Leave to Remain. Please check the website for more information.

Also on tour nationally as part of the Half Moon Presents portfolio. Visit

www.halfmoon.org.uk for details. #MapOfMe

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Sat 24 Oct 11am, 1.30pm & 3pm Ages 2 – 5 45 mins

Sat 31 Oct 11am & 2pm Ages 3 – 7 55 mins

TUTTI FRUTTI & YORK THEATRE ROYAL PRESENT

Snow Child

The first snow falls. Watching the village children play, a lonely couple yearn for a child of their own. They build a small figure from the ice and snow, and wish very, very hard… until the strength of their longing brings the magical Snow Child to life before their eyes!

She’s a girl like no other and brings laughter to the whole village. But it’s not easy bringing up a wild daughter of the blizzards and the wind. As the seasons turn, and winter gives way to spring and summer, will the Snow Child and her parents find their “happily ever after”?

A magical story about family, love and the power of dreams.

TRAVELLED COMPANIONS PRESENTS

Where Caterpillars Go

#SnowChild

Where Caterpillars Go is a thoughtful look at the cycle of life, explored within a garden where almost everything is made from paper. Watch seeds fly, fall and sprout, and shoots spiral and uncurl. Chase leaves and butterflies as they flutter by in this lively garden that pops up before your eyes!

Follow an inquisitive caterpillar into a beautiful and tactile garden where you’ll explore life, growth, wonder and loss through live music and playful movement in this fun, visually striking and immersive show.

At the end of the performance there is an interactive play session.

Early booking is advised as this show has limited capacity. #WhereCaterpillarsGo

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Mon 2 – Thu 5 Nov Mon 1.30pm & 4.30pm, Wed – Thu 10.30am & 1.30pm Ages 7+ 50 mins

A PAINES PLOUGH & HALF MOON PRODUCTION

Our Teacher’s a Troll

by Dennis Kelly

Two terrible twins with a talent for turmoil rule their school with terror and tyranny. That is, until the arrival of a new head teacher with green scaly skin, sharp gnarly fangs, and a long spiky tail… Can the twins save the school from the child-eating Troll? Can they get Brussels sprouts in peanut butter taken off the lunch menu? And most importantly, can naughtiness prevail? Come and find out and be outrageously entertained!

A deliciously dark and terribly funny tale from the writer of award-winning West End hit Matilda the Musical.

“Fun, funny and unpatronising. Comic perfection” HHHH THE TIMES “This gleefully nasty tale of triumph over adversity for the over-sevens is full of worms, horribly clever sound effects of children being chewed up, purple tongues, jokes at the expense of ineffectual adults, and worse” HHH THE GUARDIAN Also on tour nationally as part of the Half Moon Presents portfolio. Visit www.halfmoon.org.uk for details. #OurTeachersATroll

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Sat 7 Nov 11am & 2pm Ages 4 – 7 50 mins

Sat 14 Nov 10am, 12pm & 2pm Ages 0 – 3 25 mins

HALF MOON PRESENTS

Circles in the Sand a Tam Tam Theatre production

Join us in a world of buckets, castle building, spinning and tumbling in this delightful show for under 3s which explores sand in new and exciting ways. With no words, and accompanied by an evocative soundtrack of world music, Circles in the Sand is an intimate, imaginative and captivating play, providing the perfect introduction to theatre for the very young.

At the end of the performance, children are invited to delight in the feel of the sand as it trickles between toes and fingers.

Early booking is advised as this show has limited capacity.

Also on tour nationally as part of the Half Moon Presents portfolio. Visit www.halfmoon.org.uk for details.

THEATRE HULLABALOO & THEATRE BY THE LAKE PRESENT

#TamTamCircle

Bear & Butterfly Bear’s life changes forever when, deep in the branches of the tree he hears the munching and a crunching of a bright green Caterpillar. Bear and Caterpillar soon become the best of friends, Caterpillar munching happily through tales of Bear’s younger life catching fish, raising cubs and being big, strong and fierce. But one day Caterpillar stops munching and looks sick. Bear fears he will lose his friend but, as if by magic, Caterpillar grows and stretches and from the leaves emerges a beautiful butterfly.

Puppetry, live music and beautiful storytelling combine in this charming tale about love, loss and friendship. #BearAndButterfly 11

Sat 21 Nov 11am & 2pm Ages 3+ 50 mins

Sat 28 Nov 11am & 2pm Ages 4+ 55 mins

AMELIA BIRD & PHILIPPA HERRICK PRESENT

The Boy Who Never Grew Up

Welcome to a world where happy thoughts take you flying high, where pirates roam the seas and where magic and adventure is impossible to hide from. Welcome to the world where you never grow up! Inspired

by J.M. Barrie’s classic tale, join two expert make-believers as they take you to Neverland. Visit Peter Pan’s underground home and see how he outwitted his nemesis Captain Hook. But this isn’t just the story you’ve seen on screen or read in the book, there are adventures of your own to be had...

HALF MOON PRESENTS

Once Upon a Snowflake a Paper Balloon production

Liza has gone missing, and no-one knows where she can be. One thing’s for certain: those mysterious Winter Sprites have something to do with it. Appearing every winter, these tiny elf-like creatures can be found hiding in pockets, shoes and sock drawers, watching everything and hearing everyone.

Follow Liza into a colourful whirlwind of stories and adventure, led by a tiny Sprite with a fascination for snowflakes. Using a captivating blend of shadow puppetry, storytelling and enchanting original songs, Paper Balloon present this funny, quirky and enthralling show.

Also on tour nationally as part of the Half Moon Presents portfolio. Visit www.halfmoon.org.uk for details. #OnceUponASnowflake 12

With music, puppetry and fun, this is a show of imagination and magic for anyone who wishes to never ever grow up. #BoyWhoNever

Sat 5 Dec 3pm Ages 3 – 8 50 mins

Sat 12 Dec

SuperMonkey 11am Ages 3 – 6 35 mins Monkey 2pm Ages 4+ 60 mins

PUPPETCRAFT PRESENTS

SuperMonkey and Monkey Follow the comic escapades of the amazing superhero Monkey, a fantastical creature hatched from a stone egg who can fly on a cloud, turn invisible and transform into anything he wants! Join Monkey on his mischievous adventure as he learns magic, defeats a dragon, dodges death and eats lots of peaches – all in search of a great secret!

NORWICH PUPPET THEATRE PRESENTS

Oddly

Three unusual creatures hold onto their special treasures and ponder questions which they are unable to answer:

Based on the ancient Chinese story, Michael Rosen, of Going on a Bear Hunt fame, has adapted this classic tale which is told using beautiful string puppets, live music, snappy raps and witty words to conjure up a bewitching world that will enchant audiences all over again.

PuppetCraft tells the same story for two different age groups. #PuppetCraft

The Lostlet twirls a golden leaf and asks what do I hope for?

The Strangelet holds a smooth white pebble and wonders what do I dream of?

The Oddlet listens to a seashell and thinks what do I wish for?

Suddenly a little boy appears who seems stranger, odder and even more lost than they are. Together the new friends find surprising ways to make their hopes, dreams and wishes come true.

Based on the popular book by Joyce Dunbar, Oddly is a whimsical tale with charming contemporary puppets, inventive design and striking original music. #Oddly 13

Sat 19 Dec 11am & 2pm Ages 3 – 7 50 mins

Host your event here Do you need a space for a meeting, seminar or book launch? Or perhaps a studio theatre for rehearsing or filming? Half Moon has several fully accessible spaces available to hire. With very competitive rates and excellent transport links, we’re a great choice for hosting your event.

Technical assistance available. Please contact us with your requirements.

Theatre: Up to 100 people, sound and lighting rig Upper Studio: Up to 30 people Red Room: Up to 10 people Foyer: Up to 60 for a launch, 15 for meetings

KRAZY KAT THEATRE COMPANY (SIGN LANGUAGE ARTS) PRESENTS

The Singing Ringing Tree

Workshop: For design and painting

A selfish and haughty Princess, a friendly Prince who is turned into a bear, and an evil Troll with designs on the kingdom, all combine to tell a fast moving and tricksy tale of youthful optimism fractured through the kaleidoscope of this famous German fable.

The Princess’s self-centred behaviour makes her ugly. The Bear tells her that she will regain her beauty only if she changes her ways. Despite the Troll’s attempts to keep her and the Prince apart, the magical and mysterious Singing Ringing Tree finally lives up to its name.

Featuring fully integrated sign language, this fast and funny family show is suitable for all audiences, Deaf and hearing, and bristles with creativity, humour and ingenuity, as well as puppets and big laughs. #SingingRingingTree 14

Party packages Is it your child’s special day? Did you know that you could celebrate here 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

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, national touring productions and an extensive Creative Learning programme, including seven Youth Theatres.

Last year we:

We couldn’t do it without:

»» Engaged with over 46,000 people

Our major funders

»» Delivered over 1,300 Creative Learning sessions for over 23,500 young people »» Ran 6 weekly drama groups for children and young people »» Ran 430 artform development sessions with over 50 artists »» Worked with 68 schools and delivered professional development training to 83 teachers »» Hosted 258 work experience sessions and 653 volunteer hours »» Toured 11 shows into 71 venues around the UK with audiences of 22,500 people »» Hosted 29 theatre companies from around the UK

We are also extremely grateful for support from: Action for Bow BBC Children in Need easyfundraising The Henry Smith Charity Heritage Lottery Fund Jack Petchey Foundation London Bridge Small Grants Fund Newcomen Collett Foundation Newman’s Own Foundation The Peter Minet Trust Royal Victoria Hall Foundation St. James’s Place Foundation St Olave’s Foundation Fund The Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust Waitrose Also a big thanks to our many individual donors.

Half Moon Presents As well as presenting shows for young audiences in our Limehouse home, Half Moon also tours work around the country under our producing arm, Half Moon Presents, a portfolio of professional work for young audiences from a range of our associate artists and companies.

For current productions and tour dates, visit www.halfmoon.org.uk/halfmoonpresents Half Moon Presents is part of our Exchange for Change programme, which supports artists developing diverse work for young audiences by nurturing, mentoring and providing space to develop work.

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Book tickets

By phone: 020 7709 8900 Online: www.halfmoon.org.uk In person: Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm

Sat 10am – 4pm All tickets £6. 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 Rd, London E1 0ND admin@halfmoon.org.uk Follow us halfmoontheatre halfmoontheatre

Sign up to our e-newsletter at www.halfmoon.org.uk

5 Bus 2

mainline and DLR station (2 stops from Bank and Tower

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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, 135

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

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White Horse R oad

Half Moon

5.30pm on weekdays. Meter parking is available at all

Commer cial Rd

Buses 15, 115, 135, D 3 Cable St

junction with Yorkshire Road and Commercial Road).

Visit www.tfl.gov.uk to check latest accessibility

Butche r Row

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

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Access 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.

BSL

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.

Commercial Rd

Limehouse

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details and to plan your journey.

We have baby changing facilities and space for buggies.

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By car: Street parking is free at weekends and from

By bike: There is a Santander Cycles docking station

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9, Buses 30

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Ben Jonson Road (309, 339).

all times. We are not within the congestion zone.

Rd End Mile

Stepney Green

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

other times. Street parking is free to disabled patrons at

@halfmoontheatre halfmoontheatre

This brochure is printed using the environmentally friendly waterless printing process and is Forest Stewardship Council certified (FSC).