Half Moon Spring Brochure 2023

What’s On Jan – Apr 2023

Celebrating world class theatre for young audiences We include. We inform. We inspire.

All Tickets £7 020 7709 8900 | halfmoon.org.uk All our performances are relaxed performances

Season diary DATE

TIME

PRODUCTION

AGE

PAGE

Sat 14 Jan

11am & 2pm

Rapunzel and the Tower of Doom

3+

4

Sat 21 Jan

11am & 2pm

Family Folk Show Nature Special

0–8

5

Sat 28 Jan

11am & 2pm

Jack and the Beanstalk

3+

5

Sat 4 Feb

11am, 1pm & 3pm

The Little Red Hen

2–5

6

Fri 10 Feb

10.30am & 1.30pm

Pinocchio

4+

6

Sat 11 Feb

11am & 2pm

Pinocchio

4+

6

Sat 18 Feb

11am, 1pm & 3pm

Babble

3–5

7

Fri 24 Feb

11am, 1pm & 3pm

Gift

0–2

7

Sat 25 Feb

11am, 1pm & 3pm

Gift

0–2

7

Thu 2 Mar

4.30pm & 7.30pm

Prison Game

13+

8

Sat 4 Mar

11am & 2pm

Pea

4+

8

Thu 9 Mar

10.30am & 1.30pm

Belongings

6–11

9

Fri 10 Mar

10.30am & 1.30pm

Belongings

6–11

9

Sat 11 Mar

11am & 2pm

The King of Nothing

5+

9

Fri 17 Mar

10.30am & 1.30pm

Alfie’s First Fight

5+

10

Sat 18 Mar

11am & 2pm

Alfie’s First Fight

5+

10

Sat 25 Mar

10.30am

Comets Youth Theatre Sharing

All ages

14

Sat 25 Mar

11.45am

Sunbeams Youth Theatre Sharing

All ages

14

Sat 25 Mar

1.15pm

Moonbeams Youth Theatre Sharing

All ages

14

Mon 27 Mar

8pm

Solar Youth Theatre Sharing

All ages

14

Tue 28 Mar

5.30pm

Eclipse Youth Theatre Sharing

All ages

14

Tue 28 Mar

8pm

Lunar Youth Theatre Sharing

All ages

14

Wed 29 Mar

5.30pm

Equinox Youth Theatre Sharing

All ages

14

Wed 29 Mar

8pm

Orbit Youth Theatre Sharing

All ages

14

Sat 1 Apr

11am & 2pm

Club Origami

0–5

10

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 2

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 and Amazon Smile: 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 spring season A very warm welcome to Half Moon’s season of theatre for young audiences.

This spring we are featuring the work of 15 delightfully creative companies, offering an exciting mix of live music, puppetry, interactive storytelling, physical theatre, poetry, vibrant design, intimate tales and heart-warming adventure. It’s going to be a stimulating and thrilling 11-week season and we are delighted to share it with you.

Don’t forget there’s free parking at weekends (weekdays after 5.30pm) and we are just a 2-minute walk from Limehouse mainline and DLR station. Plus, there’s a Santander Cycles docking station a short walk away on Flamborough Street (at the junction with Yorkshire Road and Commercial Road) and we have a number of bike stands and pods in our garden.

See you soon.

Chris Elwell, Director

Host your event here

Bookshop @ Half Moon

Party @ Half Moon

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.

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.

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.

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

For more information, visit halfmoon.org.uk/venue-hire 3

Gallery @ Half Moon

Sat 14 Jan 11am & 2pm Ages 3+ 55 mins

It’s The Small Things

By Kate Parkin

20 Jan – 17 Apr 2023 Wry observations and alternative ways of looking at small daily details categorise printmaker and illustrator Kate Parkin’s work. It’s The Small Things brings moments of fleeting amusement in its reflections on aspects of ordinary life and familiar phrases or words.

For all our exhibitions, we provide a gallery trail for children. School and community groups can visit free of charge to support young people in gaining Arts Award Discover and Explore. Contact Beccy on 020 7709 8908 or beccy@halfmoon.org.uk

THEATRE OF WIDDERSHINS PRESENTS

Rapunzel and the Tower of Doom

Tangles? Split Ends? Frizzy? Flyaway?

It’s hard enough having a bad hair day but pity poor Rapunzel spending her life in a tower with a wicked old witch using her captive’s locks as a step ladder! What sort of damage is that going to do to your hair?

In addition to our foyer exhibition space, Half Moon has two permanent exhibitions in our garden and on the first floor that explore the history of our company and the changing face of Tower Hamlets. Have you seen them?

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Theatre of Widdershins have taken this Grimm tale right back to its dark roots, teased out the tangles and styled it into a beautifully coiffured hair piece! This enchanting show promises plenty of body, volume and loads of highlights. Make an appointment to see the show today – because you’re worth it!

Sat 21 Jan 11am & 2pm Ages 0–8 45 mins

Sat 28 Jan 11am & 2pm Ages 3+ 50 mins

MEGSON PRESENTS

Family Folk Show Nature Special The award-winning folk duo blend their infectious mix of heavenly vocals and lush harmonies into a gentle, entertaining concert specially for younger children, featuring children’s folk songs about the natural world, from their albums When I Was a Lad and Little Bird. An organic, authentic and fun folk concert for big and little music connoisseurs.

“The most original duo on the British folk scene” The Guardian “I really liked dancing with my sisters at the front! It was really exciting. I want to see them again!” Phoebe (aged 3)

LYNGO THEATRE PRESENTS

Jack and the Beanstalk Fee Fi Fo Fum! It’s a giant of a show, we’d love you to come! This classic fairy tale now gets the Lyngo treatment, so expect lots of surprises and beautiful images as CBeebies’ Patrick Lynch tells the gripping story of Jack, who sells his cow for five magic beans and finds himself in the land above the clouds.

A show for the over 3s (and their giants) with something for everyone – enormous shoes, tiny houses, showers of silver and gold and a big, leafy explosion!

5

Sat 4 Feb 11am, 1pm & 3pm Ages 2–5 35 mins

Fri 10 Feb 10.30am & 1.30pm Sat 11 Feb 11am & 2pm

Ages 4+ 60 mins

THE PUPPETTELLERS PRESENTS

The Little Red Hen The Little Red Hen lives on the farm with her mischievous animal friends. When her baby chicks hatch, she needs to feed them. She is lucky enough to find three grains of wheat and decides to make some bread. But who will help her? Come and join in with the story of The Little Red Hen and lend a hand in making a most delicious loaf of bread.

An intimate and interactive storytelling show involving puppetry, song, live music and lots and lots of joining in.

“My cheeks ache from smiling so much!

An utterly charming and imaginative show” Audience member

INDEFINITE ARTICLES PRESENTS

Pinocchio Steve Tiplady, as Geppetto, uses the objects of a carpenter’s workshop to tell the tale of the puppet that wants to be a real boy, and the puppet-maker who wants to be a real father. Pinocchio is carved on stage, brushes become a fox and the shadow of two saws transforms into a giant shark. An element of improvisation makes each performance unique to its audience.

Puppetry, shadows, illusion and specially composed music combine to create a show with something for all ages; it’s inventive, visually and verbally witty, and has a big heart.

6

Sat 18 Feb 11am, 1pm & 3pm Ages 3–5 50 mins

Fri 24 Feb 11am, 1pm & 3pm Sat 25 Feb 11am, 1pm & 3pm Ages 0–2 30 mins

FLIBBERTIGIBBET THEATRE PRESENTS

Babble

Listen to the world around you. Gurgles, burbles, growls, crackles and crunches fill the space. What sound is that? Is it excited? Is it happy? What sounds do you like?

Mik and Kin are Sound Collectors. Boxes of their favourite sounds have been checked, all ready to take home. But the boxes are not behaving – naughty giggles slip through the cracks and are causing chaos. Storms are raging and the sounds are unleashed. Mik and Kin need your help to soothe the troubled storm with a lullaby and lure the giggle with new, enticing sounds. Your voices will help in the creation of a new and unique piece of music that you get to take home.

HURLYBURLY THEATRE PRESENTS

Gift

A love song to nature for babies and their grownups that explores the interconnectedness of life on earth.

Combining the joy of gentle, classical singing and sensory play, Gift is an invitation to see beauty in the smallest things and to let plants be our guides.

Come and help us celebrate the gift of nature as we conjure a world out of breath, water, sunlight and soil in this magical musical adventure.

7

Thu 2 Mar 4.30pm & 7.30pm Ages 13+ 60 mins

Sat 4 Mar 11am & 2pm Ages 4+ 60 mins

HERCULES PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

Prison Game

When prison is your world, how do you function within society? This gripping one-man physical theatre performance is the story of how prison can define a man.

Told through a series of characters, you are taken on a young boy’s journey from primary school through to adulthood.

Developed using real life accounts of extraordinary experiences, this mainly biographical story deals with the effects of institutionalisation on the psyche of an individual and the people around them.

“Sharp, funny, skilful and moving” The Observer

NOD AT THE FOX THEATRE PRESENTS

Pea

Tiffany is twisting and turning and her mind won’t stop whirring – she just can’t fall asleep. She knows there must be a pea hidden underneath her bed. As Tiffany adventures down through worlds of mattresses and mysteries, she meets the restless bed folk.

Filled with enchanting puppetry and intricate soundscapes, join Tiffany on her quest to find the pea and get a good night’s sleep. All the stories tell us that stepmothers are evil. Maybe the fairy tales are wrong?

8

Thu 9 Mar 10.30am & 1.30pm Fri 10 Mar 10.30am & 1.30pm Ages 6–11 55 mins

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

TANGLED FEET AND ROWAN TREE PRESENT

Belongings

Cleo is on a journey like no other.

She’s trying to discover her past whilst attempting to stay on her feet in the present. Where has she been and when will she get back? Piles of clothes become sea creatures, dresses become parachutes and shadows dance, as Cleo and two new friends find a place called home.

Inspired by working with young people who don’t live with their birth parents, Belongings is the story of finding your feet, finding your playmates and imagining a new future. Told with Tangled Feet’s unique blend of physicality, innovative design and original music, this is a show for anyone who is looking to find where they fit in.

MONSTRO THEATRE AND LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE PRESENT

The King of Nothing King Reginald is a ruler who likes to keep in style. But the fashions change so fast, he’s afraid he can’t keep up. Hearing of the King’s predicament, two fast-talking ‘weavers’ head to the palace with their brand-new fabric: it’s ‘smart’ and it’s ‘in’ and it never goes out of fashion. Soon the Kingdom is alive with talk of the magical cloth and Reginald can’t wait to wear his ‘smart’ new suit to the Big Parade. But what are these ‘weavers’ really spinning?

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s Emperor’s New Clothes, this wild new puppet musical sets out to prove that people can be made to believe anything.

9

Fri 17 Mar 10.30am & 1.30pm Sat 18 Mar 11am & 2pm Ages 5+ 55 mins

Sat 1 Apr 11am & 2pm Ages 0–5 40 mins

OLIVER SYKES PRESENTS

Alfie’s First Fight Shy twelve-year-old Alfie decides to go in search of his missing older brother, Jacob, who has disappeared moments before an all-important boxing match.

Can Alfie safely return his brother to the ring in time? Or will he have to take his big brother’s place? What will happen to the Shields’ family if they fail to win the fight?

Inspired by award-winning children’s author Oliver Sykes’ experiences growing up without a mum and being coached as an amateur boxer by his dad, Alfie’s First Fight features boxing action, surprising plot twists, compelling characters and an inspiring boy-hero. This funny and heartwarming show is guaranteed to pack a punch.

TAKESHI MATSUMOTO PRESENTS

Club Origami

Rip, fold and scrumple! Shall we see what we can make with a single square of paper? As you scrunch the paper, see how your imagination begins to dance.

An immersive and interactive dance show inviting family audiences to create, imagine and explore whole new ways of thinking, playing and moving. Dance, fashion and live music meet the magic of origami to sweep us up on a spirited and inspiring adventure in a land made purely of paper and play.

After the performance there is a stay and play session.

This show is non-verbal. This makes it accessible to a range of people, including d/Deaf, hard of hearing and non-English speakers.

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On Demand

Unmissable children’s theatre, whenever you want it Put your sofa in the front row with Half Moon On Demand, a streaming service offering unforgettable theatre for young audiences, available to watch anywhere and at any time. Watch digital productions of some of our recent shows for young people online, recorded live at Half Moon Theatre and professionally filmed and edited.

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 the best seats in the house into your own home.

All productions have closed captions for d/Deaf and hard of hearing audiences.

Dust, The House that Jackson Built and Paper Aeroplane are also available with British Sign Language.

“The access to the live streamed shows gives a great opportunity to see live theatre for those who wouldn’t usually be able to participate” On Demand audience member

halfmoon.org.uk/on-demand

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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: → 47,700 people engaged → 26,000 workshop participants → 21,000 audience members → 1,900 creative learning sessions → 1,250 volunteer hours → 396 performances → 177 performances toured to 79 other venues, including schools and libraries → 128 freelancers, 10 core staff and 6 trainees employed → 67 schools worked with in Tower Hamlets → 1 Off West End Theatre Award

We couldn’t do it without: We are also extremely grateful for support from: Action for Bow Aldgate & Allhallows Foundation Amazon Smile The Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust BBC Children in Need Benevity Causes Buzzacott Stuart Defries Memorial Fund Charterhouse Charitable Trust Charterhouse in Southwark Chesterhill Charitable Trust City Bridge Trust Clarion Futures The Coln Trust Co-op Local Community Fund Derek Shuttleworth Educational Trust 12

East End Community Foundation easyfundraising The Fitton Trust Fund 4 Ruby Galliard Homes Garfield Weston Foundation The Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation Garrick Charitable Trust The Henry Smith Charity Jack Petchey Foundation Leathersellers’ Company Charitable Fund Merchant Taylors’ Charity Newcomen Collett Foundation Ocean Regeneration Trust Prudential Foundation Sir Ian McKellan Souter Charitable Trust St Olave’s Foundation Fund The Sheldon Trust THAMES 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.

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 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 Explore the history of Half Moon Theatre through photographs, programmes, news stories, documents, videos and filmed interviews with over 100 people. There’s information on productions, projects, people and buildings, so lots to discover.

The Stages of Half Moon exhibition is now on permanent display in the upper corridor. It’s overflowing with photographs and original posters, so do take a look and learn more about our long history. stagesofhalfmoon.org.uk

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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 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.

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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 four 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 26,000 workshop participants in over 1,900 creative learning sessions, including working with 67 of the 90 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: An innovative project 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

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.

Early Years Creative Play: Sessions for children and adults to explore their physicality and imaginations and to feel confident with creative play For more information visit halfmoon.org.uk/learning. 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

Get in touch

By phone: 020 7709 8900

Half Moon Theatre 43 White Horse Road London E1 0ND

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

admin@halfmoon.org.uk Sign up to our e-news at halfmoon.org.uk

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By car: Street parking is free at weekends and from

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5.30pm on weekdays. Meter parking is available at all

Commer cial Rd

Buses 15, 115, 135, D 3 Cable St

just 2 minutes’ walk away on Flamborough Street (at the junction with Yorkshire Road and Commercial Road).

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By bike: There is a Santander Cycles docking station

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to plan your journey.

Access

BSL

Commercial Rd

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

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.

9, 339 Buses 30

B

Ben Jonson Road (309, 339).

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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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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