Blue Apple Theatre
Creators: name: Richard Conlon (Artistic Director)
name: Simon Morris (Manager)
Publisher: name: DARIAH-DE
Year: 2023
Subjects: United Kingdom
Theatre Group
Wincheste

description: Blue Apple Theatre was founded in Winchester in 2005. The company supports actors with learning disabilities in their development and performs high quality productions in front of a wide audience. Blue Apple’s activities include theatre, dance and film projects. The ensemble performs on stages around Hampshire as well as at venues at national and international level. The program is constantly being expanded. Blue Apple is involved in the further development of work with people with learning disabilities in the artistic field. In this way, the company is committed to a more inclusive and equal society. Through the stage performances and the public recognition of their work, the ensemble members increase their self-confidence. In addition to their personality, they also develop their social and artistic skills.
Thanks to Jane Jessop’s commitment, Blue Apple Theatre was founded. After graduation, her son expressed a desire to become an actor. Since the closest theatre ensemble for people with learning disabilities was in London at the time, Jessop decided to form an inclusive theatre group in Winchester. In 2005, courses were initially offered on a trial basis. More than 50 people took part. Shortly thereafter, the Blue Apple Theatre was founded as part of the Winchester Mencap Charity Association. The first course took place in July 2005. At that time, a part-time drama teacher, supported by volunteers, worked for the project. In 2009, the first artistic director, Peter Clerke, was hired. Four years later, the group was registered as an independent charity. The first full-time director was appointed in 2014 and worked from then on together with the artistic director, the choreographer and an administrator.
In 15 years, the Blue Apple Theatre has become one of the most well-known disability arts organisations in the south of England and tours all over the country and abroad. In 2016, a Channel 4 News report on the performances at London’s Shakespeare’s Globe attracted a lot of attention. In addition, in 2014, the Blue Apple production Hamlet was the subject of William Jessop’s award-winning BBC documentary Growing Up Down’s. It won the Creative Diversity Network Most Ground-Breaking Programme Award for changing perceptions of disability and was nominated for an International Emmy. The production Much Ado About Nothing was performed at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and the Jersey Arts Centre, among others. The Blue Apple company also performs at festivals, conferences, and prestigious events across the country.
Winchester Main Company consists of approximately 32 actors with a learning disability. The ensemble produces two major public shows per year, mostly based on classical literature, such as Shakespeare plays. The productions are staged at Theatre Royal Winchester and are supported by professional artists and technicians. Originally created as a result of a long waiting list, the Special Assignments Company has developed into a specialized offshoot that produces open-air theatre and devised shows. The group regularly performs at Hat Fair, a Free Outdoor Arts Festival, in Winchester.
Blue Apple’s productions also influence the national agenda through their directness in dealing with challenging topics. Living Without Fear was performed at 42 venues in front of over 5,000 people, including ministers and MPs. As a result, the training film Paul’s Story was produced on behalf of the police. The film Freddie’s Story was shot in response to the national Mencap report Death by Indifference and is used to train medical personnel in the public and private health sectors.
The theatre establishes partnerships at the regional and national level, thus spreading its exemplary approach to working with people with learning disabilities. Blue Apple has produced 32 theatre productions and other projects since 2005. By staging high quality theatre, dance and film productions, the ensemble wants to break down prejudices and change the lives of people with learning disabilities. Blue Apple is also leading a study to measure and illustrate the impact of its work. The theatre wants to show the effect of its work on the social and personal development of its members. This is intended to achieve a comprehensive change in the general attitude towards the capabilities of people with learning disabilities and their contribution to society.