Acting, dancing, singing and film for performers with a learning disability

in Winchester, Hedge End, Southampton, Ringwood, Totton, Online and expanding

Book in for a free taster session!

Winchester and Online

New Forest area

Southampton area

Scroll below to see more details of all groups

Timetable for this term

A group of people in costumes on stage. In the foreground one person in striped trousers and top hat jumps off the ground and on the right a woman wears a pink skirt and jacket with a blue trllby hat.  She is doing a karate leg lift towards the man.

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.

Read more here. Find out how to join in here


A group of performers on stage in costume

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.

Read more and find out how to join in here.


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.

Read more here. Find out how to join in here


A group of people perform a dance routine in a dance studio.

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.

Read more here. Find out how to join in here


The image shows five people outside on a summer day.  Each is dressed in Regency period costume and holds a large blue feather quill pen. In the centre is a large super sized puppet in a grey Regency style dress and bonnet.

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.

Read more here. Find out how to join in here


Performers on stage in brightly coloured tee shirts work in pairs lifting their arms high with hands together palms outwards, facing each other

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


A group of performers on stage in costume

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.

Read more and find out how to join in here.


A group of performers on stage in brightly coloured tee shirts hold their arms up and outwards

Branching Out with Forest Forge - Wednesday

Wednesdays 2.30 to 4 pm ACTING

West Moors Memorial Hall, 231 Station Road, West Moors, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 0HZ.

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 Lily Coull.

Please note: This group is for pupils of the school only.

Website: https://www.oaklodge.hants.sch.uk/


A group of people all hold one arm up in air.  They are dressed casually.  The background is a dark to light blue fade.

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.

Read more here. Find out how to join in here


A group of six young people make power poses in a studio with black curtains behind them. They wear navy blue tee shirts with a blue apple logo across the front.

Youth Theatre with Blue Apple and Mayflower Engage - Friday

Friday 5.00 to 6.30 pm PERFORMING ARTS

MAST 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.

Read more here. Find out how to join in here


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.

Read more here.

To join please contact QE2 on 023 8040 4844 or email activities@qe2activitycentre.co.uk


The image shows a screen grab of a Zoom meeting with small windows with young people dancing.

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.

Read more here. Find out how to join in here


Term dates

Please note that companies have longer terms than classes.

Blue Apple Stage Companies - Sky Blue / Sea Blue

Autumn Term 2024 9 September to 14 December. Half Term w/c 28 October.

Spring Term 2025 6 January to 11 April. Half Term w/c 17 February.

Summer Term 2025. Dates to be confirmed.

Blue Apple Special Assignments Company

Autumn Term 2024

10 Sept | 8 Oct | 12 Nov | 10 Dec

Spring and Summer 25 term dates will be confirmed later.

Blue Apple Classes in Singing, Dance and Performing Arts (includes Chestnut and QE2)

These classes have 12-week terms and a half-term break.

Autumn Term 2024 16 September to 14 December (12 weeks). Half Term w/c 28 October.

Spring Term 2025 13 January to 11 April (12 weeks). Half Term w/c 17 February. 

Summer Term 2025. Dates to be confirmed.

Mayflower Engage Youth Theatre 

Autumn Term: 27 September – 6 December (Half Term on1 November) 

Spring Term: 17 January – 28 March (Half term on February 21) 

Summer Term: 2 May – 11 July (Half Term on 30 May) 

Hanger Farm does not follow school terms and carries on throughout.

Locations

Locations

If there is no class in your area yet, then please fill in this short form to express your interest.

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 Endeavour Park, Crow Arch Lane, Ringwood, New Forest, BH24 1SF. See here.

All Saints Church is at Sedbergh Road, Southampton SO16 9HJ. See here.

MAST 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

See details here.

Please contact QE2/Hanger Farm/Forest Forge/Oak Lodge/Mayflower direct about payment.