Half Moon 30th Birthday Spring Season 2020

What’s On Jan – Mar 2020 30th Birthday Season Celebrating 30 years of theatre for young audiences 020 7709 8900 | halfmoon.org.uk All Tickets £7

Season diary DATE

Sat 11 Jan Sat 18 Jan Sat 25 Jan Thu 30 Jan Fri 31 Jan Sat 1 Feb Fri 7 Feb Sat 8 Feb Sat 15 Feb Fri 21 Feb Sat 22 Feb Sat 29 Feb Sat 7 Mar Sat 14 Mar Wed 18 Mar Thu 19 Mar Fri 20 Mar Sat 21 Mar Mon 23 Mar Tue 24 Mar Tue 24 Mar Wed 25 Mar Wed 25 Mar Sat 28 Mar Sat 28 Mar Sat 28 Mar

TIME

11am & 2pm 11am & 2pm 11am & 2pm 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4.30pm 10am, 11.30am & 2pm 11am, 1pm & 4pm 1.30pm & 4.30pm 11am & 2pm 11am & 2pm 1.30pm & 4.30pm 11am & 2pm 11am, 1pm & 3pm 11am & 2pm 11am & 2pm 1.30pm & 4.30pm 10.30am & 1.30pm 10.30am & 1.30pm 11am & 2pm 10.30am & 1.30pm 5.30pm 8pm 5.30pm 8pm 10.30am 11.45am 1.15pm

PRODUCTION

Thumbelina Mimi and the Mountain Dragon Tom Thumb Igloo Igloo Igloo The Paper Aeroplane The Paper Aeroplane The Bird Show The House That Jackson Built The House That Jackson Built toooB When Trolls Try To Eat Your Goldfish Oh No, George!

Dust Dust Dust Dust Dust Eclipse Youth Theatre Sharing Lunar Youth Theatre Sharing Equinox Youth Theatre Sharing Solar Youth Theatre Sharing Comets Youth Theatre Sharing Sunbeams Youth Theatre Sharing Moonbeams Youth Theatre Sharing

AGE

2+ 3+ 3+ 0–3 0–3 0–3 3–7 3–7 3+ 4–9 4–9 6–24 months 5+ 3–8 4–9 4–9 4–9 4–9 4–9 All All All All All All All

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5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 14 14 14 14 14 14 14

Coming soon DATE

Fri 22 May Sat 23 May Tue 16 Jun Wed 17 Jun Thu 18 Jun Fri 19 Jun

TIME

4.30pm 11am & 2pm 10.30am & 1.30pm 10.30am & 1.30pm 10.30am & 1.30pm 10.30am & 1.30pm

Support us in our 30th 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.

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PRODUCTION

Big Red Bath Big Red Bath Big Red Bath Big Red Bath Big Red Bath Big Red Bath

AGE

2–5 2–5 2–5 2–5 2–5 2–5

Ways to make a difference

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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 30th birthday season A very warm welcome to Half Moon’s spring season of theatre for young audiences, which celebrates 30 years of performances for young people. We look forward to celebrating this exciting milestone and are busy planning a series of special events and activities, as well as launching Theatre Passport, our ticket scheme to help unlock a child’s creative journey. Find out more on page 13.

Our new season features 42 performances from 11 inspiring theatre companies. We’re delighted to be working with Z-Arts, Manchester’s award-winning venue for children and families, on Dust, a heartfelt new co-production written by children’s author Laura Dockrill (Darcy Burdock book series and Big Bones), with music by Hugo White of The Maccabees.

We are also pleased to be teaming up once again with Lots of Odds on Paper Aeroplane, a sensitive new show exploring loss and bereavement, and spoken word poet Justin Coe on The House That Jackson Built, a new piece about the power of words, books and stories.

I look forward to welcoming you to our birthday season.

Chris Elwell, Director

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. With very competitive rates and excellent transport links, we’re a great choice for hosting your event.

Theatre: Up to 100 people, full 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 and painting Technical assistance available. Please contact us with your requirements: call 020 7709 8900 or email admin@halfmoon.org.uk 3

Gallery @ Half Moon

Are You Sure You Want to Move Out?

by Marta Mrugala-Kramarczyk 9 Jan – 2 Apr A striking series of eye-catching 3D and graphic works inspired by London’s most popular landmarks, by interior designer and artist Marta Mrugala-Kramarczyk.

This new exhibition captures Marta’s love affair with what she calls ‘the world’s greatest city’.

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 £120.

For more information, or to book, please call 020 7709 8900 or email us: admin@halfmoon.org.uk

For all our exhibitions, we provide a gallery trail for children and special events.

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

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 4

Sat 11 Jan 11am & 2pm Ages 2+ 40 mins

Sat 18 Jan 11am & 2pm Ages 3+ 50 mins

NORWICH PUPPET THEATRE PRESENTS

Thumbelina

There was once a little girl so small she could float on a lily pad and ride on the back of a dragonfly. Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of a girl no bigger than a thumb and her encounters with a frog, mouse, mole and swallow, is played gently amongst gardening tools, leading her to ultimate happiness in the kingdom of flowers.

Using traditional glove, rod and shadow puppets, this is an excellent introduction to the magic of theatre.

SKEWBALD THEATRE PRESENTS

Mimi and the Mountain Dragon Each year high up in the snowy mountains of Switzerland the villagers of Dorta bang their drums to keep the fearsome Mountain Dragon away. But this year is different.

One cold winter morning Mimi discovers something extraordinary – a baby dragon asleep in the woodshed! But how did he get there and what happens if his mother comes looking for him? Mimi must be extremely brave if she is going to reach the Dragon’s castle at the very top of the mountain and return the baby dragon safely home.

Adapted from the book by Michael Morpurgo, this heart-warming tale is an epic mountain adventure about friendship and courage, that’s packed full of snow, dragons, lively songs and captivating puppetry.

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Sat 25 Jan 11am & 2pm Ages 3+ 50 mins LYNGO THEATRE PRESENTS

Thu 30 Jan 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4.30pm Fri 31 Jan 10am, 11.30am & 2pm Sat 1 Feb 11am, 1pm & 4pm Ages 0–3 30 mins

Tom Thumb

One night tiny Tom overhears Mum and Dad talking – there’s nothing left to eat so they are going to leave him and his six brothers in the forest! Outwitting his parents and the ogre, Tom shows everybody that even though he is small he is still mighty, as he protects his brothers, finds the treasure and makes sure they’ll never be hungry again.

Performed entirely on and under a kitchen table, this classic story is brought to life in a playful and fascinating show full of magic, with feathery spinning birds, a flying house and a portable forest. Join tiny Tom on his very big adventure!

TRAVELLING LIGHT THEATRE PRESENTS

Igloo

Anticipation is building for Ira and Sadie.

How can they build an igloo if there isn’t any snow? They need it to snow. They want it to snow. But sometimes you don’t get what you want, even when you’re made to wait… and wait… and wait…

Sometimes what you end up with is something even better.

Igloo is a playful experience filled with warmth, sensation and gentle exploration.

At the end of the performance there is a stay and play session.

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Fri 7 Feb 1.30pm & 4.30pm Sat 8 Feb 11am & 2pm

Ages 3–7 40 mins

Sat 15 Feb 11am & 2pm Ages 3+ 60 mins

HALF MOON PRESENTS

Paper Aeroplane a Lots of Odds production

Take flight with two new friends as they soar through clouds, fly over distant seas and circle faraway lands. They touch down in mysterious new places and discover oceans to swim in, rocks to clamber over and bridges to cross. But where will they fly to next?

Lift-off on a musical journey full of puppetry, physicality and fluttering paper aeroplanes, where sometimes the skies are not as clear as we first think.

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

THE LAST BAGUETTE PRESENTS

The Bird Show

Follow Henry the Heron and Sally the House Sparrow on a zany journey to become friends. With frolics and foraging, flitting, flying and two unusual feathery friends, this is a madcap and touching show about birds facing changes to their habitat.

Using live music, puppetry and lots of silly bird jokes, The Bird Show is a heartfluttering physical comedy that gently explores the impact of humans on nature and asks the question – what can we do differently?

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Fri 21 Feb 1.30pm & 4.30pm Sat 22 Feb 11am & 2pm

Ages 4–9 40 mins

Sat 29 Feb 11am, 1pm & 3pm Ages 6–24 months 30 mins

HALF MOON PRESENTS

The House That Jackson Built a Justin Coe production

Jackson’s dad is building a new house out of weird and whacky bits and bobs thrown away by the local builder. The last few years have been hard for young Jackson, living without his mum. Now his dad wants to make a new start, but Jackson isn’t ready to move on. Not until he blows the dust off mum’s favourite old book and conjures up the Story Fairy. But can stories really help Jackson believe in himself and be happy in a new home?

Celebrating books and the joy of reading, The House That Jackson Built is a magical spoken word theatre show about the power of imagination, family, memory – and recycling!

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

ANGEL EXIT THEATRE PRESENTS

toooB

Introducing toooB, a curious and friendly shape-shifting creature. She’s not quite sure where she’s landed, but she’d love to meet and play with you.

The perfect introduction to theatre and dance for the very young, toooB is an enchanting wordless show. A gentle sensory adventure with an original soundtrack, captivating movement and interactive fun and games.

At the end of the performance there is a stay and play session with the performer.

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Sat 7 Mar 11am & 2pm Ages 5+ 50 mins

Sat 14 Mar 11am & 2pm Ages 3–8 50 mins

DOMMY B PRESENTS

When Trolls Try To Eat Your Goldfish In the middle of the night, there’s a noise – a snuffling and a shuffling and a splintering of wood. Lines of troll-prints lead out the door, across the lawn and across the land. A grotesque gang of greedy trolls have stolen all the village’s animals, including Nikki’s favourite goldfish, Great Bumbleduke the Third.

Who is going to come to their rescue?

Armed with only a pen and paper, can you help storyteller Dommy B and young Nikki save the day?

CAN’T SIT STILL THEATRE PRESENTS

Oh No, George!

George sees something in the kitchen.

It’s cake!

I said I’d be good, George thinks, but I LOVE cake.

What will George do?

A delightfully playful tale about a dog who wants to be good, but just can’t resist temptation. Adapted from the awardwinning picture book by Chris Haughton, this brand new show uses acrobatics, slapstick comedy and live music to bring George’s chaotic and joyful escapades to life.

Illustration © 2012 Chris Haughton from Oh No, George! Licensed and reproduced by permission of Walker Books Ltd, London SE11 5HJ www.walker.co.uk

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Wed 18 Mar – Mon 23 Mar Wed 1.30pm & 4.30pm Thu, Fri & Mon 10.30am & 1.30pm Sat 11am & 2pm Ages 4–9 50 mins

A HALF MOON AND Z-ARTS CO-PRODUCTION

Dust

When Little Titch and her scruffy rucksack arrive at the giant, pink house it is not what she expected – a blanket of thick grey dust covers everything in sight and it is wild and overgrown. Her new home is cold and unwelcoming until she meets Nelly, a flamboyant and loveable hoarder. Together the pair discover they have more in common than they first thought and that friendship can heal hidden wounds.

Written by acclaimed award-winning children’s author Laura Dockrill (Darcy Burdock book series and Big Bones), Dust uses exquisite poetic language to explore a heartfelt story about love, loss, identity and memory. With haunting music by Hugo White of The Maccabees, this striking and emotional new play is a joyous reminder about just how playful the world can be.

Dust is a Half Moon and Z-Arts coproduction: an exciting collaboration by the UK’s leading small-scale young people’s venue and touring company and Manchester’s unique and award-winning venue for children and families.

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

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G SO ON

10.30am & 1.30pm Ages 2–5 40 mins

IN M CO

Fri 22 May 4.30pm Sat 23 May 11am & 2pm Tue 16 Jun – Fri 19 Jun

A FULL HOUSE AND HALF MOON CO-PRODUCTION

Big Red Bath

Rubba-dubba-giggle, rubba-dubba-laugh, there’s magic to be found in the Big Red Bath. It’s the end of a busy day and it is almost time for bed, and Ben and Bella are in the bath. Splish! Splosh! Splash!

Bubbles burst and bubbles rise and a frothy feast of animals jump right in to join in the fun.

A quirky, vibrant and humorous adaptation of Julia Jarman and Adrian Reynolds’ popular children’s picture book, with music by Evergreen, an alternative indie-electro-pop trio who bring a blend of folk melodies, electro beats and vocal harmonies.

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

Stages of Half Moon Explore the history of Half Moon Theatre online at stagesofhalfmoon.org.uk through photographs, programmes, news stories, documents, videos and filmed interviews with over 100 people, including Frances de La Tour, Steven Berkoff and Linda Marlowe. With over 500 pages of information on productions, projects, people and buildings there’s a lot to discover!

We’re still looking for memories and memorabilia, particularly from our time at Alie Street and Mile End Road in the 1970s and early 1980s. If you can help, email history@halfmoon.org.uk stagesofhalfmoon.org.uk #HalfMoonHistory

Picture credit: Eclipse: A Tale for Winter (1999).

Photo by Patrick Baldwin

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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: » 26,000 workshop participants » 25,000 audience members » 173 work experience sessions » 163 artform development sessions » 93 schools worked with in Tower Hamlets » 14 shows toured to 137 other venues, including 18 libraries

We couldn’t do it without: We are also extremely grateful for support from: Action for Bow Amazon Smile BBC Children in Need The Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation Bruce Wake Charity City Bridge Trust Charity Bank Charles S. French Charitable Trust The Charterhouse Charitable Trust Chesterhill Charitable Trust Clarion Housing Group The Coln Trust Co-op Local Community Fund The Derek Shuttleworth Educational Trust Donald Forrester Trust East End Community Foundation 12

easyfundraising The Edward Gostling Foundation The Fitton Trust Garfield Weston Foundation The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation Jack Petchey Foundation Leonard Cheshire Lucille Graham Trust The Lynn Foundation Mrs Smith and Mount Trust Mrs Margaret Guido’s Charitable Trust Mytime Active Noël Coward Foundation The Ocean Regeneration Trust Schroder Charity Trust The Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust Souter Charitable Trust Southern Housing Group St James’s Place Charitable Foundation Also a big thanks to our many individual donors.

Theatre Passport

Unlock a Child’s Creative Journey

Half Moon is your local theatre and has been providing professional plays for young people aged 0–18 since 1990.

As part of our 30th birthday celebrations in 2020 we need your help to launch Theatre Passport, a free ticket scheme for Tower Hamlets school and community groups. This type of scheme has been very successful in other areas of the UK and we want to ensure children in our borough don’t miss out.

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.

Attending live performances can provide a host of benefits, including improving emotional wellbeing and giving opportunities to discuss challenging subjects. Enjoyment and education rolled into one!

Please help us to ensure children can access the arts locally.

A DONATION OF:

would let four young people visit Half Moon would allow an entire class to come* would go towards a whole school outing† 40 children and adults †400 children and adults

*

To find out more, or for donations of £3,000, please email jackie@halfmoon.org.uk or call 020 7709 8903.

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 13

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: Saturday 10am–11am Sunbeams: Saturday 11.15am–12.15pm Moonbeams: Saturday 12.45pm–1.45pm

School Years 4–6

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

School Years 7–9

Lunar: Tuesday 6.30pm–8.30pm

School Years 10–13

Orbit: Wednesday 6.30pm–8.30pm

Teenagers with disabilities (specialist group)

Solar: Wednesday 6.30pm–8.30pm

Spring term begins on Tuesday 14 January, Wednesday 15 January and Saturday 18 January 2020.

Youth Theatre Sharings will take place between Tuesday 24 and Saturday 28 March 2020, 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.

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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 £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 almost 26,000 workshop participants in over 1,800 Creative Learning sessions, including working with 93 of the 101 schools in our home borough of Tower Hamlets (and over half of these engaged with at least two schemes). 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. We deliver 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 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

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

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

Next Steps: A programme using drama to

DramaWorks: Bespoke experiential

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

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

support Year 6 and 7 students with their transition to secondary school

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

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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

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

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D3. Other buses stop by Stepney Green tube (25) and Ben Jonson Road (309, 339).

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5.30pm on weekdays. Meter parking is available at all

Commer cial Rd

Buses 15, 115, 135, D 3

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

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junction with Yorkshire Road and Commercial Road).

Visit tfl.gov.uk to check latest accessibility details and

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By bike: There is a Santander Cycles docking station

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Commercial Rd

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to 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.

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

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Stepney Green

mainline and DLR station (2 stops from Bank and Tower

other times. Street parking is free to disabled patrons

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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.

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