Half Moon brochure Jan-March 2015

What’s On Jan – Mar 2015

Box Office 020 7709 8900 | www.halfmoon.org.uk

Season Diary DATE

TIME

PRODUCTION

AGE

PAGE

Sat 10 Jan

11am & 2pm

Chicken Licken

3 – 6

6

Fri 16 Jan

10.30am & 1.30pm

Need a Little Help

3 – 7

7

Sat 17 Jan

11am, 1pm & 3pm

Need a Little Help

3 – 7

7

Sat 24 Jan

11am & 2pm

Shoe Kangaroo & the Big Bad Boot

4 – 9

7

Sat 31 Jan

11am & 2pm

Cirkus Spectakular

4+

8

Sat 7 Feb

11am & 2pm

Puss in Boots

3 – 8

8

Sat 14 Feb

11am & 2pm

Pied Piper

3 – 7

9

Sat 21 Feb

11am, 1pm & 3pm

Handa’s Surprise

2 – 6

9

Sat 28 Feb

11am & 2pm

Pitschi, the Kitten with Dreams

2 – 6

10

Sat 7 Mar

10am, 12pm & 2pm

Curious

0 – 3

10

Tue 10 Mar

10.30am & 1.30pm

Up, Up and Away

3 – 7

11

Wed 11 Mar

10.30am & 1.30pm

Up, Up and Away

3 – 7

11

Thu 12 Mar

10.30am, 1.30pm & 6pm

Up, Up and Away

3 – 7

11

Fri 13 Mar

10.30am & 4.30pm

Up, Up and Away

3 – 7

11

Sat 14 Mar

11am & 2pm

Up, Up and Away

3 – 7

11

Thu 19 Mar

4.30pm & 7pm

M for Medea

13+

11

Sat 21 Mar

11am & 2pm

Mrs McMoon’s Tea Party

3+

12

Sat 28 Mar

2.30pm

The Poetry Joe Show

3+

12

Support us!

As a registered charity (No. 1010192), each year we need to raise more than half of our turnover to support our various activities and keep our prices affordable.

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Ways to support us

Online: Donate securely online via our website: www.halfmoon.org.uk

By standing order: Pick up a form from

our foyer, download from our website or call 020 7709 8900

Support Half Moon today and help us to deliver our vital programme of work. Every donation received will go directly towards helping children and young people.

By phone: Call us on 020 7709 8900 to

Please call Jackie on 020 7709 8903 or email development@halfmoon.org.uk

Danny, our mechanical dragon

make a payment by credit or debit card

In the foyer: Feed cash donations to

Welcome It was a busy autumn at Half Moon as we celebrated the completion of our capital refurbishment project and the heritage of our beautiful 150 year old home. Hopefully you were able to join us for some or all of our #LimehouseLandmark free family events, but if not we’ve got a packed spring season with our usual offering of world class theatre for young audiences. So do come and visit and see what all the fuss has been about. We’ve never been more comfortable or welcoming.

Our spring season includes a wide variety of brilliant work. We welcome back our friends Tam Tam Theatre with the deliciously messy Curious, Word Pepper with their delightful The Poetry Joe Show and Floods of Ink with the thrilling M for Medea for young adults. And if you’ve enjoyed our previous partnership productions with Rose Bruford including Colour and Dig and Delve, you’ll be pleased to know that they return in March with a brand new colourful and musical show for 3–7s: Up, Up and Away. We’re also delighted to be welcoming other companies to Half Moon for the first time, offering a mixture of puppetry, storytelling, physical theatre and music. So what better way could there be to welcome in the new year than with one or more of these fantastic shows?

There’s a new exhibition opening in our gallery, Figures, Creatures and Tea from award-winning London artist Julia de Greff: a stunning and vibrant collection of oil and watercolour paintings (see page 6).

Our many fantastic opportunities for children and young people of all abilities to participate and get involved also continue, with a wide range of activities for them, both with their nurseries, schools and colleges, as well as independently. There’s some more information on the following pages and much more detail on our website.

Finally, as a registered charity we rely on donations to keep our ticket prices and membership fees affordable to all. If you can feel you can help by making a contribution – no matter how small – we would be extremely grateful. Details of how you can support us can be found opposite.

I look forward to welcoming you soon.

Chris Elwell, Director 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 six groups that run during term time.

Half Moon’s Youth Theatres

Comets: School Years 1 – 3 Saturday 10am – 11am

Sunbeam: School Years 1 – 3 Saturday 11.15am – 12.15pm

Moonbeam: School Years 1 – 3 Saturday 12.45pm – 1.45pm

Eclipse: School Years 4 – 6 Tuesday 4pm – 6pm Lunar: School Years 7 – 12 Tuesday 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Solar: A specialist group

for disabled teenagers Wednesday 6.30pm – 8.30pm Eclipse and Lunar groups begin on Tuesday 13 January, Solar on Wednesday 14 January and Comets, Sunbeam and Moonbeam on Saturday 17 January. Contact us today to reserve your place.

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 disabled people 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.

For Teachers and Schools Last year, Half Moon worked with around 20,000 young people in over 1000 Creative Learning sessions.

We work with schools, colleges, children’s centres and community and youth organisations on a range of engaging projects. This includes curriculum-focused workshops, after-school activities and initiatives to encourage young people to get into theatre, as well as professional development for teachers.

Projects Include

Transitions: A programme using drama to support Year 6 students with their transition to secondary school

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

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 creative work at school

Dramatic Maths: A project using drama and storytelling to engage children in KS2 maths

Careers in Theatre: A hands-on experience

project for primary schools

for 11 – 17 year olds of the business, technical and artistic aspects of professional theatre

Let’s Go Outside: Bespoke sessions

using drama in outdoor spaces with early years groups

Lyrical Literacy: A spoken word/poetry CPD for Teachers: A series of practical training sessions for primary and secondary school staff, in partnership with Tower Hamlets Arts & Music Education Service (THAMES)

For more information visit www.halfmoon.org.uk/education 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 10 Jan 11am & 2pm Ages 3 – 6 45 mins DNA PRESENTS

Chicken Licken

Figures, Creatures and Tea

by Julia de Greff 7 January – 13 April

Gallery @ Half Moon Figures, Creatures and Tea offers a stunning collection of quirky colourful paintings and prints inspired by the artist’s busy life with her young family – along with her love of tea.

Working in oils, using cloth rather than brushes, the studies are built layer by layer, giving a warm, complex, almost rough feel, completed by using charcoal to define figures. Julia’s work has the feel of Matisse, Chagall or Picasso, from whom she has drawn influence.

Beneath the artwork, there are chalkboards for visitors of all ages to make their own responses. You can write a message or draw a picture and leave it for others to enjoy.

For all our exhibitions, we provide an art 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 6

A baby chick is born and thinks the sky is falling down. On the way to tell the King, she meets Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky and Turkey Lurkey. But there’s a surprise in store – Chicken Licken grows up to be the Little Red Hen! Will she outwit the sly Foxy Loxy and save her stuffing?

Classic barnyard tales Chicken Licken and Little Red Hen combine in a lively and witty adaptation told with puppetry, music and cooking from fabulous Australian theatre company, DNA.

Fri 16 Jan 10.30am & 1.30pm Sat 17 Jan 11am, 1pm & 3pm

Ages 3 – 7 40 mins

Sat 24 Jan 11am & 2pm Ages 4 – 9 50 mins GARLIC THEATRE PRESENTS

Shoe Kangaroo and the Big Bad Boot Did you ever lose a shoe?

That tumbled into a bird that flew Over the sea to an island new Where creatures strange and mysterious grew from a wondrous, magical Shoe Kangaroo.

Join Half Moon favourites Garlic Theatre on a fantastical journey to the island of lost shoes, with clowning, mime and beautifully crafted puppets. A strapping tale which promises to be a delightful load of old cobblers!

TANGLED FEET AND HALF MOON PRESENT

Need a Little Help

Life is busy. Making toast, counting pills, battling pillows… looking after someone else, whether a teddy or a person, is a full time job. But if you’ve got to pack in school, playtime and friends, you’ll be one busy little helper.

Need a Little Help is a fun and thoughtful glimpse into a world full of care. Based on the experiences of young carers, the piece explores what it means to look after someone else when you are young. This immersive and playful show blends dynamic physicality, original music and storytelling.

“Tangled Feet offer a glimpse of magic” THE GUARDIAN

Early booking is advised as this show has limited capacity.

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Sat 31 Jan 11am & 2pm Ages 4+ 55 mins

Sat 7 Feb 11am & 2pm Ages 3 – 8 50 mins LYNGO THEATRE PRESENTS

Puss in Boots Would you trust a talking cat? You never know, he might turn you from a pauper to a prince, just like the hero of this story.

With smoke and mirrors and hidden trapdoors, this sure-footed feline fools both the King and the Ogre to make his master top dog.

With a host of beautiful puppets, a working windmill and an avalanche of fruit and nuts, this classic furry tail is brought to vivid life by the inventive Lyngo Theatre, featuring Cbeebies’ Patrick Lynch.

ANGEL HEART THEATRE PRESENTS

Cirkus Spectakular From the lands to the east where the Mountain is King and the Forest is Queen comes the topsy-turvy touring troupe Cirkus Spectakular in their wandering marquee of dreams. But for one little boy, it becomes more than just a magical show: Cirkus Spectakular offers Pavlo the chance to prove himself and at last to feel like he belongs.

The sumptuous Cirkus Spectakular by Angel Heart Theatre is a tender, touching and hilarious show for all the family, drawing vivid colours and rich sounds from Eastern Europe.

8

Sat 14 Feb 11am & 2pm Ages 3 – 7 45 mins

Sat 21 Feb 11am, 1pm & 3pm Ages 2 – 6 35 mins LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE PRESENTS

Handa’s Surprise Can you resist the sweet-smelling guava?

How about a ripe red mango or a tangy purple passion fruit? Travel to Kenya and follow Handa as she journeys to visit her best friend Akeyo in the next village.

Handa is taking seven delicious fruits as a surprise – but seven different animals have seven very different ideas…

A blend of physical performance, puppetry, live music and song combine to create an intimate, magical production from Little Angel Theatre, based on the hugely popular book by Eileen Browne.

“A short, sunshiny little show with a delicious citrus finish.”

TIME OUT CRITICS’ CHOICE

Early booking is advised as this show has limited capacity.

NORWICH PUPPET THEATRE PRESENTS

Pied Piper

In the medieval German town of Hamelin, the mysterious Pied Piper arrives to help rid the city of their rats by playing bewitching music on his flute. But it’s not just the rats that are entranced by the music. When the greedy mayor refuses to pay the piper, the town gets more than it bargained for.

Norwich Puppet Theatre’s humorous and irresistible show based on the classic legend combines a skilful mix of enchanting puppetry, foot-tapping music and storytelling, which will have audiences young and old entranced.

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Sat 28 Feb 11am & 2pm Ages 2 – 6 40 mins

Sat 7 Mar 10am, 12pm & 2pm Ages 0 – 3 25 mins

HALF MOON PRESENTS TAM TAM THEATRE’S

Curious

Cake-making gets messy in this perfect introduction to theatre, guaranteeing giggles galore for the very young and young at heart. Journey into a playfully imaginative world where kitchen meets garden, where dirt is good, and where messiness mischievously conjures the perfect birthday surprise.

A play with few words, Curious is a laughout-loud experience for the very young and the curiously inquisitive – a perfect introduction to theatre that explores cakemaking as you have never seen before.

At the end of the performance, children are invited onto the stage to create their own recipes, by digging in soft, moist soil themselves.

Early booking is advised as this show has KOMEDIA PRESENTS

Pitschi, the Kitten with Dreams Pitschi doesn’t care for the mischievous fun of kitten play, but instead dreams of being something else – a chicken, perhaps, or a goat, or a rabbit… for after all, anything is better than being a cat!

A rich mix of storytelling, physical theatre, music and song combine in this enchanting adaptation by Komedia of award-winning Swiss author Hans Fischer’s picture book, which will delight children – and cat lovers.

“Envelopes young audiences in a warm embrace” THE SCOTSMAN

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limited capacity.

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

Tue 10 – Sat 14 Mar

Tue–Wed 10.30am & 1.30pm, Thu 10.30am, 1.30pm & 6pm, Fri 10.30am & 4.30pm, Sat 11am & 2pm Ages 3 – 7 40 mins

Thu 19 Mar 4.30pm & 7pm Ages 13+ 50 mins HALF MOON PRESENTS FLOODS OF INK’S

M for Medea

What makes us do the things we do? What are the consequences when love, jealousy and revenge are pushed to their extremes?

M for Medea is a contemporary retelling of Euripides’ Medea, exploring the lengths that people will go to when they think they are right, posing questions of morality that resonate with a young audience.

Using visceral movement interspersed with evocative, contemporary language and a pulsating musical score, M for Medea is framed within a simple, haunting stage setting. A modern story of betrayal from Floods of Ink that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

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

HALF MOON AND ROSE BRUFORD COLLEGE PRESENT

Up, Up and Away Close your eyes and fly up high, soar above the clouds and float gently in the breeze, dreaming of adventures far below. Join us for a birds’ eye view amongst multi-coloured balloons, brollies and an assortment of feathery friends in this magical and touching show, full of laughter and the unexpected, as we journey into the enchanting world of a child’s imagination.

Featuring a cast of 14 with live music and singing throughout, Up, Up and Away continues Half Moon’s on-going collaboration with Rose Bruford, one of the UK’s leading university drama schools, following last year’s hugely popular Colour.

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Sat 21 Mar 11am & 2pm Ages 3+ 45 mins

Sat 28 Mar 2.30pm Ages 3 + 45 mins

HALF MOON PRESENTS WORD PEPPER’S

The Poetry Joe Show Meet Poetry Joe in his magical light-up world of beastly bugs and peculiar pets.

Armed with a mega-mix of quirky and beautiful pop-ups, props and pictures, Poetry Joe takes us on a poetic adventure to make new friends, including a naughty but nice hamster, a cheating cheetah and a friendly family made out of paper and light.

This fun packed, interactive family show is the perfect introduction to poetry and spoken word for the very young. Children will have the opportunity to create their own poem at the end of the show.

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

WORBOYS PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

Mrs McMoon’s Tea Party

You’re invited into Mrs McMoon’s cosy living room, where tea is brewing and the smell of freshly baked cookies tickles your nostrils for a tea party you’ll never forget.

Singing flowers, scrumulumptious biscuits and a Scottish jig are all just a door knock away in this play of mischief, surprise and laughter.

Worboys Productions use the medium of immersive, engaging and interactive storytelling. Join a sweet old lady as she takes you by the hand to explore a world of brave and daring adventures.

“This was storytelling at its purest and most comforting.” FRINGE REVIEW

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Bookshop @ Half Moon We are delighted to offer a pop-up bookshop in partnership with our local children’s book specialist, Victoria Park Books (www.victoriaparkbooks.co.uk).

Come and browse books for all ages, from classic favourites to some of the hottest new titles. The bookshop also stocks greeting cards and wrapping paper, so Half Moon is the perfect place to buy that special gift.

Party Packages Is it your child’s special day?

Did you know that you could celebrate here at Half Moon? Hire our Upper Studio space (max. 25 children) and book tickets for your group to see a show at 2pm on the Saturday of your choice.

Throughout the year, we offer a range of book signings, readings, launches and special events in partnership with Victoria Park Books – to be the first to know about these, sign up to the e-newsletter or call our box office on 020 7709 8900.

Follow Victoria Park Books on social media: facebook.com/VictoriaParkBooks @VictoriaParkBks

There are two party options:

Picnic Party: large room upstairs and use of an area to prepare food – £100 in addition to your tickets (3pm – 4.30pm) Playtime Party: as above, plus two facilitators to lead some fun drama games for the first hour – £220 in addition to your tickets (3pm – 5pm) Toddlers’ Picnic Party: for pre-school

children, large room upstairs and use of an area to prepare food on weekdays 12noon – 5pm: for 2 hour period – no show – £100 For more information or to book please call 020 7709 8900 or email us: admin@halfmoon.org.uk 13

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. We are a charity specialising in new writing and artform development, acting as a gateway organisation that provides pathways for progression and experimentation. Our activity includes a season of professional plays for young audiences, national touring productions and an extensive Creative Learning programme, including six Youth Theatres.

We are a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England and receive regular funding from our home borough of Tower Hamlets.

Half Moon presents As well as presenting shows for young audiences in our Limehouse home, Half Moon also tours work around the country throughout the year under our producing arm Half Moon presents, a portfolio of professional work for audiences aged 0–19 from a range of our associate artists and companies.

The current productions in our touring portfolio include: Big Red Bath (FULL HOUSE THEATRE); Circles in the Sand and Curious (TAM TAM THEATRE); M for Medea and Up in the Attic (FLOODS OF INK); Misunderstood Monsters (JANIE ARMOUR/ AOIFE MANNIX/APPLES & SNAKES); Once Upon a Snowflake (PAPER BALLOON); One Way Ticket and A Roo in My Suitcase (ROSEMARY HARRIS/ APPLES & SNAKES); The Poetry Joe Show and Pop-Up Flashback (WORD PEPPER THEATRE) and When Spring Comes (HALF MOON).

For details of current tour dates, visit www.halfmoon.org.uk or follow us on social media: facebook.com/halfmoontheatre @HalfMoonTheatre 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 work.

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Our Major Funders are: We are also extremely grateful for support from: The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Austin & Hope Pilkington Trust BBC Children in Need Community First (Shadwell) Easy Fundraising The Ernest Cook Trust Heritage Lottery Fund The Idlewild Trust The Ironmongers’ Company Jack Petchey Foundation London Mathematical Society Newman’s Own Foundation Poplar HARCA Arts Programme St James’s Place Foundation Unity Theatre Trust Also a big thanks to our many individual donors.

Hire a Space 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, excellent transport links, we’re a great choice for hosting your event.

Sound and 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

Workshop: For design & painting

Last year we: »» Engaged with around 49,000 people »» Delivered over 1000 Creative Learning sessions for over 20,000 young people »» Ran 6 weekly drama groups for children and young people »» Developed work with over 100 artists »» Worked with 72 schools and delivered professional development training to over 150 teachers »» Hosted 250 work experience sessions and 890 volunteer hours »» Toured shows into 74 other venues around the UK »» Sold 95% of all available tickets

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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. Group discounts available.

Free tickets for children under 12 months.

See our website for booking conditions.

Finding Half Moon

By Train: 2 minutes’ walk from Limehouse mainline

Get in touch Half Moon, 43 White Horse Road, London E1 0ND admin@halfmoon.org.uk To receive our e-newsletter please visit our website www.halfmoon.org.uk facebook.com/halfmoontheatre @HalfMoonTheatre

5 Bus 2

and DLR station (2 stops from Bank). Follow signs for

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Bekesbourne Street when exiting station. 15 minutes’

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walk from Stepney Green tube.

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By Bus: Buses stop 1 minute away on Commercial

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Road junction with White Horse Road. Numbers 115, 135 & D3. Other buses stop by Stepney Green tube

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(25) and Ben Jonson Road (309, 339).

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White Horse R oad

and Sunday, in addition to weekday evenings from

Half Moon

5.30pm. Meter parking is available at all other times.

We are not within the congestion zone.

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9, 339 Buses 30

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By Car: Street parking is free all day Saturday Street parking is free to disabled patrons at all times.

Rd End Mile

Stepney Green

Commer cial Rd

Buses 15, 115, 135, D 3

docking station just 2 minutes walk away on

Cable St

Flamborough Street (at the junction with Yorkshire Road and Commercial Road).

Butche r Row

By Bike: There is a Barclay’s Cycle Hire

Commercial Rd

Limehouse

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Visit www.tfl.gov.uk to check latest accessibility details and to plan your journey.

Access Our blind and visually impaired audiences can prebook touch tours prior to all performances. Some shows have British Sign Language for Deaf and

Large Print

hearing impaired audiences. Half Moon is a fully accessible building. Brochure information is also available in large print and on audio CD.

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.

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