Acting, dancing, singing and film for performers with a learning disability
in Winchester, New Forest, Southampton, Online and expanding
Locations
Winchester
Singing Monday 4.30-5.30pm
Acting Stage Companies Monday 6.30-8.30pm
Dance Tuesday 4.30-5.30pm
Unscripted Theatre Special Assignments Company Tuesday 6-8pm
Online
Performing Arts Saturday 11am-12pm (14-21 years)
New Forest area
Performing Arts Monday 11am-12.30pm/1.15-2.30pm Minstead Trust at Hanger Farm, Totton
Performing Arts Monday 5.30pm-7pm SCARF drama club (membership required), New Milton
Acting Tuesday 5.45-7.15pm Branching Out at Forest Forge Company, Ringwood
Acting Wednesday 2.30-4pm Branching Out at Forest Forge Company, Ferndown
Performing Arts Wednesday 11am-12.30pm Minstead Trust at Hanger Farm, Totton
Performing Arts Thursday 3.30-5pm Oak Lodge School, Dibden Purlieu (pupils only)
Southampton area
Performing Arts Thursday 6.30-8.30pm Chestnut Theatre Group, Redbridge
Performing Arts Friday 5-6.30pm Mayflower Blue Apple Youth Theatre, Bargate (15-21 years)
Performing Arts Saturday 10am-12pm QE2 Activity Centre, Bursledon
If there is no class in your area yet, then please fill in this short form to express your interest.
Scroll below to see more details and scheduled dates for all groups
Term dates
Summer Term 2025
Last sessions for groups that have not yet finished
QE2 - 26 July
Singing - 28 July
Chestnut - 31 July
Young Online - 2 Aug
Hanger Farm does not follow school terms and carries on throughout.
Timetable for this term
Stage Company - Monday
Sea Blue and Sky Blue Groups, 6.30 to 8.30 pm ACTING
Stripe Studio 1 and 2, University of Winchester SO22 4NR
The company produces a major public show every year. Our productions are often staged at Theatre Royal Winchester and are fully supported by professional, highly experienced, artistic and technical teams.
Sea Blue Drama with Artistic Director Richard Conlon.
Sky Blue Drama with Associate Director Rebecca Godden.
Hanger Farm - Monday
Mondays 11 am to 12.30 pm; 1.15 to 2.30 pm PERFORMING ARTS
These sessions continue throughout the year. Any exceptions will be notified by Hanger Farm.
Aikman Lane, Totton, Southampton SO40 8FT
Practical and fun drama sessions for learning disabled adults in the local community in a friendly, supportive environment with exciting opportunities to perform in Hanger Farm’s stunning 18th century wooden barn.
Facilitated by Charlie Teschner.
Singing - Monday
Monday, 4.30 to 5.30 pm - SINGING
The Chapel, University of Winchester SO22 4NR
Blue Apple Singers cover a broad mix of song choices and singing styles. The group perform at external events and within some stage events.
Facilitated by Nick Duncombe.
Scarf Drama Club - Monday
Monday 5.30pm to 7pm - PERFORMING ARTS
Ashley Junior School, Normans Way, New Milton, BH25 5FN
Acting, singing and dancing skills in a fun environment. Suitable for children/young people with special needs from age 10 up to and including 25 years.
Facilitated by Bonner Cockayne.
More details about the group and details of how to join are here
Please note that all participants must be or become members of Scarf.
To join Scarf, families must live within the boundaries of the New Forest District Council and have a child/young person (aged up to and including 25 years) with a disability or additional needs. Please click here for a map of the area that Scarf covers.
Family Membership is £25 per annum and renewable each January – new members can join at any time during the year.
Dance - Tuesday
Tuesday, 4.30 to 5.30 pm DANCING
Simeon Room, Christ Church, Winchester, SO23 9TS
Blue Apple’s dance programme is designed to be a fun and creative means of developing fitness and self-expression.
Facilitated by Amanda Watkinson.
SAC - Tuesday
Tuesday 6 to 8 pm monthly UNSCRIPTED THEATRE
PCB Studio 2, University of Winchester SO22 4NR
The Special Assignments Company (SAC) produces devised work for outdoor and site-specific settings. It is suited to performers who have a flair for the improvised, the surreal, and enjoy responding in the moment in changeable public settings.
Facilitated by Blue Apple’s Associate Director Rebecca Godden.
Branching Out with Forest Forge - Tuesday
Tuesday 5.45 to 7.15 pm ACTING
Forest Forge Theatre, First Floor, Pintail House, Duck Island Lane, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 3AA
Explore your creativity, learn valuable skills, and develop your self-confidence while you work towards performing on stage at Forest Forge.
Read more here. For details and to register call Forest Forge Theatre on 01425 470188 or email: business@forestforgetheatre.co.uk
Hanger Farm - Wednesday
Wednesdays 11 am to 12.30 pm PERFORMING ARTS
These sessions continue throughout the year. Any exceptions will be notified by Hanger Farm.
Aikman Lane, Totton, Southampton SO40 8FT
Practical and fun drama sessions for learning disabled adults in the local community in a friendly, supportive environment with exciting opportunities to perform in Hanger Farm’s stunning 18th century wooden barn.
Facilitated by Charlie Teschner.
Branching Out with Forest Forge - Wednesday
Wednesdays 2.30 to 4 pm ACTING
Sturts Community Trust, Sturts Farm, Three Cross Road, West Moors, Dorset BH22 0NF.
Explore your creativity, learn valuable skills, and develop your self-confidence while you work towards performing on stage at Forest Forge.
Read more here. For details and to register call Forest Forge Theatre on 01425 470188 or email: business@forestforgetheatre.co.uk
Oak Lodge School Logo
Oak Lodge School - Thursday
Thursdays 3.30-5 pm. PERFORMING ARTS
These follow school term dates.
Facilitated by Daisy Price.
Please note: This group is for pupils of the school only.
Website: https://www.oaklodge.hants.sch.uk/
Chestnut Theatre Group - Thursday
Thursday 6.30 to 8.30 pm PERFORMING ARTS
All Saints Church, Sedbergh Road, Southampton SO16 9HJ
Build skills in acting, dance and singing in a weekly session and work towards putting on local shows throughout the year.
Facilitated by Lily Coull.
Mayflower Blue Apple Youth Theatre - Friday
Friday 5.00 to 6.30 pm PERFORMING ARTS
Mayflower Studios, Above Bar Street, Southampton, SO14 7DU
A youth theatre group for young people aged 15-21 years old with learning disabilities. Build skills in acting, dance and singing in a weekly session and work towards putting on local shows throughout the year.
Facilitated by Bonner Cockayne.
QE2 Performing Arts Group - Saturday
Saturday 10 am to 12 pm PERFORMING ARTS
River Hamble Country Park, Pylands Lane, Hedge End, SO31 1BH
Build skills in acting, dance and singing in a weekly session and work towards putting on local shows throughout the year.
Facilitated by Gail Oakley.
To join please contact QE2 on 023 8040 4844 or email activities@qe2activitycentre.co.uk
Young Company Performing Arts - Saturday
Saturday 11 am to 12 pm PERFORMING ARTS
Online via Zoom.
Blue Apple’s Young Company Performing Arts teaches skills to young people with learning disabilities aged 14-21. The online sessions offer singing, dance and drama.
Facilitated by Emily Skeldon.
Addresses
Click here to see all locations on a Google map
The University of Winchester is at Sparkford Road, Winchester SO22 4NR
For specific locations on campus please see Campus-Map.pdf (winchester.ac.uk)
The Paul Chamberlain Building is on the Campus map at 17 and The Stripe is at 25
Singing is in The Chapel at the University of Winchester. See the Campus map at 06
Dance is in the Simeon Room at Christ Church, Christchurch Road, Winchester, SO23 9SR. See map here.
QE2 Activity Centre is at River Hamble Country Park, Pylands Lane, Hedge End, SO31 1BH. See map here.
Hanger Farm Arts Centre is at Aikman Lane, Totton, Southampton SO40 8FT. See map here.
Forest Forge Theatre is at First Floor, Pintail House, Duck Island Lane, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 3AA. See here.
Scarf drama club is at Ashley Junior School, Normans Way, New Milton, BH25 5FN. See here.
Sturts Community Trust is at Sturts Farm, Three Cross Road, West Moors, Dorset BH22 0NF. See here.
All Saints Church is at Sedbergh Road, Southampton SO16 9HJ. See here.
Mayflower Studios is at 142-144 Above Bar Street, Southampton SO14 7DU. See here.
Costs for Blue Apple
Fees cover the costs of hiring a venue hire and paying facilitators. If you cannot afford the fees please contact us to ask about our support fund.
Sessions
Singing, Dance, Young Company Performing Arts,
Prices are: £88 per term which can be paid in two lots of £44.
If you also take part in Monday or Wednesday Drama or SAC then the price is £83 per term.
Chestnut Theatre Group
Prices are: £90 per term which can be paid in two lots of £45.
Mayflower Engage Youth Theatre
Mayflower Engage Youth Theatre £86 per term (£8.60 per session). Free tasters are available via website or over the phone. Payment plan available.
Companies
Stage Company Drama Sea /Sky (Mon)
Cost £26 per month, £104 per term or £312 per year. Commitment to Companies is for a year.
Special Assignments Company (Tue)
Cost £35 for the term.
Please email groups@blueappletheatre.com for questions about pricing and to make payment
Collaborations
QE2 Activity Centre | Hanger Farm | Forest Forge | Oak Lodge | Scarf
Please contact QE2/Hanger Farm/Forest Forge/Oak Lodge/Mayflower/Scarf direct about payment.