An inspiring Friday at the NHS Breaking Barriers Learning Disability conference! Huge shoutout to our amazing Blue Apple Theatre performers for delivering thought-provoking and funny moments enjoyed by all. Follow us for updates on our activities, shows and events! #BreakingBarriers #NHSConference

You have a voice. You have a story. You have a stage. Blue Apple Theatre's performing arts groups for learning disabled & autistic people (14-25 & 18+) are now across the New Forest & Southampton area. Free tasters. Find out more: https://bit.ly/JoinBlueAppleTheatre

You may know Blue Apple Theatre from our Winchester Stage Company, Singing and Dance groups. We also run groups in other areas of Hampshire bringing acting, singing and dance together in one friendly session for learning disabled and/or autistic people. Free taster. See: bit.ly/JoinBlueAppleTheatre

Winchester Stage Company explored shadow and tabletop puppetry this week, using everyday objects to shift atmosphere and spark new ideas. The creativity was fantastic, including resin boats made by one of our actors. These experiments are helping us shape our June production of Treasure Island.

Today we mark #HolocaustMemorialDay. We remember the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and all those persecuted under Nazi rule. Blue Apple Theatre also honours the 250,000 intellectually disabled people killed under Aktion T4. Film: https://youtu.be/rcSqkOz0FK0 #HMD2026

What's in the box?

An unforgettable evening 5-7pm on Sunday 18th January. 'For One Night Only 2026!' at renowned Thornden Hall Performing Arts Centre awaits you. Be blown away by stunning performances including singing, dancing, short plays and ensemble pieces. Tickets at https://bit.ly/BATFONO26

Adventure is calling! Join Blue Apple Theatre at For One Night Only – a joyful showcase of plays, dances & songs by performers with learning disabilities. 📅 Sun 18 Jan, 5pm | Thornden Hall 🎟 £8 / £6 concessions ☎ 023 8024 6555 Book now: bit.ly/BATFONO26

Red @chickenshed.bsky.social 📍Rayne Theatre 📅19.11➡️10.01 PostHuman @rachelgadsden.bsky.social 📍UCL East 📅29.01 For One... @blueappletheatre.bsky.social 📍Thorndenhall 📅18.01 Cirque Du Handicap 📍@bloomsburytheatre.bsky.social 📅12.01➡️13.01 Design & Disability 📍@vamuseum.bsky.social 📅 17.12➡️15.02

UK Disability History Month is a time to reflect and learn. Our new blog explores exclusion in British education and honours those lost under Nazi persecution. Watch two powerful videos: blueappletheatre.com/stories/2025... #UKDisabilityHistoryMonth #InclusionMatters

Start your new year with Blue Apple Theatre! Enjoy an adventure themed show of plays, dances and songs by our groups of adult and youth performers with learning disabilities from across Hampshire. Come and join us at Thornden Hall from 5pm to 7pm on Sunday 18 Jan 2026.

Here are a few snippets from the Blue Apple Singers entertaining a very appreciative audience at the @TheMinsteadTrust New Forest Day Opportunities Winter Craft Fayre at Minstead Lodge on Thursday. A wonderful event!

The Blue Apple Singers had a wonderful time performing at the Minstead Trust Winter Fayre yesterday afternoon to a very enthusiastic and engaged audience. Thank you to everyone who came along to support them and enjoy the fabulous stalls at the Fayre.

The Snowman - A Blue Apple Christmas Adventure at QE2's Winter Showcase and Christmas Celebration from 12-3pm Saturday 6th December 2025 at QE2 Activity Centre in River Hamble Country Park. Come and enjoy the festive cheer.

Thank you Hampshire Chronicle @hampshirechronicle.bsky.social for throwing a spotlight on our Artistic Director Richard Conlon's co-direction of Journey to the West with Intellectual Heart Theatre Company at the Luminous Festival in Beijing. Read it here: www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/2556000...

Cian Binchy scares us all with his spooky introduction to five shows by disabled artists in November...Thank you Access All Areas @aaaprods.bsky.social for promoting our Hanger Farm Community Theatre performance Love.Power.Storm. on 10th November

Blue Apple Theatre is now 20 years old. 🎂 To hear more about our history watch a That's TV interview with our Associate Director Rebecca Godden this afternoon from 5.45pm on Channel 7 on Freeview. Tap in your postcode at this link to display channels: https://www.freeview.co.uk/tv-guide

The 2026 #WorldMentalHealthDay theme is #AccessToServices. Our inclusive performing arts activities support the wellbeing of people with learning disabilities, providing social connection and recognition. "It feels more like a community...a whole new, wonderful experience."

Back THIS Friday 5pm – 6:30pm 3rd October at Mayflower Studios, Southampton. Book by phone 023 8071 1811 or see https://bit.ly/BATYouthMayflower

Blue Apple Theatre and Beijing’s Intellectual Heart Theatre Company present an inclusive Journey to the West at Luminous, China’s pioneering inclusive arts festival, supported by British Council. Below Richard interviewed after performance. Performance photos here: www.pailixiang.com/album_ia1024...

Blue Apple Theatre and Beijing’s Intellectual Heart Theatre Company present an inclusive Journey to the West at Luminous, China’s pioneering inclusive arts festival, supported by @BritishCouncilArts – livestream 26 Sept, 12.30pm UK: https://www.pailixiang.com/album_ia10243061475.html

Try acting, dancing and singing with Blue Apple Theatre in Winchester, New Forest, Southampton and more. A study with Winchester participants found people felt seen, heard and part of something bigger. Sessions build confidence at your pace. Call 01962 827352 to find out more.

Try acting, dancing and singing with Blue Apple Theatre in Winchester, New Forest, Southampton and more places. A study with Winchester participants found Blue Apple helped build friendships. Free taster session available. No experience needed. Call 01962 827352 to find out more.

Try acting, dancing and singing with Blue Apple Theatre in Winchester, New Forest, Southampton and more locations. A study with Winchester participants found unique opportunities at Blue Apple boosted wellbeing. Free taster session available. Call 01962 827352 to find out more.

Try acting, dancing and singing with Blue Apple Theatre in Winchester, New Forest, ad Southampton. A study with Winchester participants found they felt seen, heard and part of something bigger – key to wellbeing. Free taster session available. Call 01962 827352 to find out more.

Try acting, dancing and singing with Blue Apple Theatre in Winchester, New Forest, Southampton and more locations. A study with Winchester participants found every contributor improved communication skills. Free taster session available. Call 01962 827352 to find out more.

Emergency Alert test – Sunday 7 Sept, 3pm Phones may make a loud noise and vibrate. It’s just a UK Government test. Not linked to Blue Apple Theatre. We’re sharing this to help people feel prepared, not worried.

Participants and families came together at Lakeside Park in Eastleigh on Sunday to enjoy a picnic, games and have fun socialising. We had a lovely time together!

Blue Apple Singers performed at Eastleigh Mela, hosted by The Asian Welfare and Cultural Association. Here is a short selection of clips from the day. Maybe you'll be singing along by the end ....

Photos from the end of term summer sharing of Mayflower Participation's Blue Apple Youth Theatre for young people aged 15-21 with learning disabilities. The group called it 'The great fish and chip scandal'. Lots of fun! The Autumn restarts on Friday 3rd October – 10 sessions.

Our Forest Forge Branching Out Group in Ringwood had great fun showcasing their summer term progress with to a studio audience. They chose The Gruffalo as their theme and explored rhyming through physical and vocal characterisation.

Scarf Drama Club in New Milton term time Mondays 5.30pm to 7pm offers acting, singing and dancing skills for young people with special needs from age 10 up to and including 25 years. Please note that all participants must be or become members of Scarf. Call/text 07874 221249

Our lovely volunteer Ruby who supports our QE2 Blue Apple Theatre group is off to drama school in September. We wish her all the very best. Bye Ruby. Thanks for all your help! We will miss you and hope you come to visit us.

Chestnut, our adult performing arts group in Southampton, wowed friends and family last Thursday with their end of summer show inspired by The Greatest Showman. Here's a short reel capturing the magic of the evening.

Join us at Eastleigh Mela this Sunday 20 July! The Blue Apple Singers will perform on the Garden Stage at 12.45pm and 2pm. Come sing along and show your support—your cheers mean the world to our performers.

Our Sturts Farm Community drama group, in partnership with Forest Forge Theatre, wowed family and friends with their end-of-term afternoon performance that included their version of "The Three Little Pigs" and their heartfelt poem about life in this special community in Ferndown.

This week, the Blue Apple Dancers had fun putting together and sharing their own creative dances. Here are some snippets for you to enjoy.

A wonderful community celebration of sanctuary last night at Theatre Royal Winchester was the perfect preparation for Hat Fair 2025, full of dance, music, storytelling, and multigenerational joy. Now we are ready for today's events. We hope to see you there!

📅 Saturday 5 July 2025 | 🕑 2:00–4:00pm | Buttercross Look out for Jane Austen like you’ve never seen her before—a nine-foot living statue puppet parading through Winchester for Hat Fair’s 250th anniversary celebration! Snap a selfie and tag us if you spot her.

📅 Saturday 5 July 2025 | 🕦 11:30am–12:00pm | Abbey Gardens Don’t miss the Blue Apple Dancers at Hat Fair 2025! Join us on Saturday morning for a joyful, inclusive performance that celebrates movement and togetherness.

📅 Friday 4 July 2025 | 🕖 7:00–9:30pm | Theatre Royal Winchester The Blue Apple Singers are proud to be part of this year’s Hat Fair Community Celebration! Listen to a special soundscape at an evening full of community spirit.

Watch a TV interview about our Hat Fair activity this evening with Blue Apple Theatre's Associate Director Rebecca Godden at https://thelatest.co.uk/ 6pm-7.55pm 'on loop' (Channel 7 on Freeview Local if watching via TV)

The Blue Apple Theatre drama group from the QE2 Activity Centre is putting their unique spin on 'A Midsummer's Night's Dream' in preparation for the QE2 Summer Fair. They're performing a condensed version that is all fun. We would love to see you there showing your support!

Celebrating #CoProductionWeek2025 with Minstead Trust and @SCIE_socialcare! At Blue Apple Theatre, performers shape everything—from a participant on our trustee board and Apple Talk forums to a co-director trainee working with our artistic team. #Innovation #Inclusion

Do you really see me? Do you know how I feel, what I need and what I can give? My humanity, my ambitions, my potential? #LearningDisabilityWeek2025 #BehindTheScenes #Performing #Theatre

Last performance tonight at 7.30pm. Link to first review for Sherlock and The Thief of Antiquity in comments.

The stage is set. Now it is a matter of time. The race to unravel the mystery begins tomorrow at 7.30pm. Are you ready?

It's a race against time for Sherlock - can he solve the clues in time with your help? But can you book your ticket before they all sell out? See comment below for booking details.

There are lots of surprises in the show and a chance to help solve clues that this tragic crowd deliver! Details for tickets in the comments below.

Today the awesome design and tech team start to build the set for Sherlock Holmes and The Thief of Antiquity - we can't wait to see the finished stage set! Performances Wednesday 7.30pm, Thursday 12pm and Thursday 7.30pm. For tickets see Box Office details in comments below.