A review of the ten days Blue Apple Theatre’s Artistic Director Richard Conlon spent in Beijing working on a collaborative inclusive piece of theatre supported by British Council as part of the Luminous Festival.
Blue Apple on That's TV
With a big birthday in the bag (Blue Apple Theatre is now 20 years old), Blue Apple was invited to talk about our history in a TV interview with our Associate Director Rebecca Godden that airs this afternoon from 5.45pm on Channel 7 on Freeview. There is also an article in Hampshire Chronicle here: Theatre company celebrates 20 years of transforming people's lives
World Mental Health Day: Championing access to creative services for mental wellbeing
Every year on 10 October, World Mental Health Day reminds us of the importance of good mental health and the need to prioritise and invest in services that support it. This year’s theme - 'Access to Services' - highlights the urgent need for inclusive, accessible support, especially in times of global instability.
At Blue Apple Theatre, we believe that creative engagement is a vital pathway to mental wellbeing. Our inclusive performing arts programmes in Hampshire empower people with learning disabilities to build confidence, express themselves, and connect with others.
Research continues to affirm the mental health benefits of drama and theatre. A 2023 wellbeing report commissioned by Blue Apple and authored by Dr Rachel Harrison (University of Winchester) found that participants experienced improved emotional wellbeing, greater self-confidence, and enhanced communication skills. Relationships formed through Blue Apple were identified as the most valued aspect of participation.
Another earlier study led by Michelle Collard (University of Kent) revealed a 40% increase in social network size among Blue Apple participants, with reductions in social isolation and improved independence. One parent shared: "Our son wouldn’t leave home for two weeks until he started Blue Apple. Blue Apple came into our lives at a time when we really needed it."
As we mark World Mental Health Day, we call on funders, policymakers, and communities to recognise the role of inclusive arts in mental health - and to ensure that everyone has access to services that support their wellbeing.
#WorldMentalHealthDay #AccessToServices #BlueAppleTheatre
Listen back to our interview with BBC Radio Solent
Blue Apple Theatre's Artistic Director Richard Conlon was interviewed on BBC Radio Solent on Thursday 2 October, chatting to Rick Jackson on BBC Radio Solent about our Mayflower youth group. He was joined by Patrick Sullivan, Head of Participation at Mayflower Theatre and Mayflower Studios. The interview is available on BBC Radio Solent’s Make a Difference page, here - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p086t6f6
Blue Apple Youth Theatre for young people aged 15-21 years old with learning disabilities started their Autumn term sessions on Friday at Mayflower Studios in Southampton.
Autumn Term 2025 Fridays 5pm – 6:30pm 3rd October to 12 December.
Volunteer vacancy in Ringwood
Volunteer with Blue Apple in Ringwood: no drama experience needed – just enthusiasm, patience, and a belief in equal opportunities.
We’re looking for a someone to support our facilitator and to assist our performers as they rehearse, build confidence, and prepare for their next stage performance in our vibrant drama group for adults with learning disabilities in Ringwood (called Branching Out).
When: Tuesdays, 5.45–7.15pm
Where: Forest Forge Theatre, First Floor, Pintail House, Duck Island Lane, Ringwood, BH24 3AA
You’ll help with small group rehearsals, join in activities, and support performers with learning lines and stage positioning.
A DBS check is required (we can help with that).
To find out more please phone 01962 827352 or email admin@blueappletheatre.com
Or please forward this it to someone who may be interested!
Blue Apple Theatre collaborates in China to create an inclusive theatre piece
An inclusive adaptation of Journey to the West
Blue Apple Theatre’s artistic director Richard Conlon is currently in Beijing, working with Intellectual Heart Theatre Company on a bold new adaptation of the Chinese literary classic Journey to the West — known to many UK audiences through the cult TV series Monkey. Over ten days, Richard will collaborate with Chinese director Chen Ran and eight young adult performers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to co-create a new inclusive theatre piece. This will be performed in an architecturally iconic contemporary exhibition space over two days.
This international rehearsal residency is part of the Luminous Festival — China’s first non-profit inclusive arts festival — and is supported by the British Council’s Connections Through Culture grant. The performers, including individuals with autism, Asperger’s syndrome and Down syndrome, are using theatre as a powerful tool for self-expression and cultural exchange.
The choice of Journey to the West was guided by community research conducted by Rongai Rongle Family Support Centre, where it emerged as the most beloved Chinese story, and by Richard Conlon’s appreciation of Chinese culture.
This collaboration of Blue Apple Theatre in the UK and Beijing’s Body On&On Cultural Exchange Centre will create China's first inclusive performing arts project for individuals with learning disabilities. Through workshops and performances, the initiative empowers young people with intellectual disabilities in Beijing while deepening UK-China knowledge exchange in accessible theatre.
Dom Hastings, the British Council China’s Head of Arts, emphasised the project’s importance. “I’m really pleased that the British Council is able to support this project through our long-running Connections Through Culture grant programme. We know that supporting artistic exchange between the UK and China has many benefits and the partnerships we have supported in the past have led to new co-productions, collaborative projects, and many examples of shared learning and professional development – strengthening cultural relations between the UK and China. I look forward to seeing how the project develops.” he explained.
📅 Performance dates:
Friday 26 September 2025, 19:30
Saturday 27 September 2025, 19:30
📍 Venue: 798CUBE, Beijing
📸 This photo shows the core creative team currently in rehearsals in Beijing:
Back row (L–R): Vasin.C (Styling Design), Ge Huichao (Founder of Luminous Festival and Body On&On), Richard Conlon (Co-Director; Artistic Director of Blue Apple Theatre)
Front row (L–R): Cheng Zhe (Project Coordinator of the 7th Luminous Festival | Common Good), Chen Ran (Co-Director; Artist and Theatre Maker)
About Luminous Festival and Body On&On
The Luminous Festival, initiated by Body On&On in 2019, is China's first non-profit Inclusive Arts Festival. Based on the ideas of "sheng sheng bu xi"(“Life grows on without end”) and "min bao wu yu" (“Everyone that’s human is my friend, everything that’s in nature is my kind”), the Luminous Festival is dedicated to promoting accessibility and innovation in contemporary culture and art, to breaking social prejudice and cultural barriers, and to an equal and inclusive world.
Intellectual Heart Theatre Company is supported by with the British Council’s Connections Through Culture grant programme and aims to empower young people with intellectual disabilities in Beijing while deepening UK-China knowledge exchange in accessible theatre.
Connections Through Culture: Exploring new creative collaborations with China
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. They foster connections, understanding, and trust between the UK and countries worldwide through their work in arts and culture, education, and the English language.
One of the key programmes, Connections Through Culture supports artists and cultural organisations in developing new collaborations with partners across Asia-Pacific, including China. This initiative enables creatives to explore fresh ideas, expand their international networks, and co-develop innovative projects that reflect global conversations in the arts and creative industries. Through these projects, UK artists and organisations work closely with their Chinese counterparts to exchange ideas, share artistic approaches, and create work that responds to pressing global challenges.
About the venue, 798CUBE
798CUBE Art Museum is a contemporary exhibition space located in Beijing’s renowned 798 Art District. Designed by Studio Zhu-Pei and completed in 2020, the museum is a renovation project that blends industrial heritage with modern architectural forms. It features cast-in-place concrete cubes arranged around a central courtyard, reflecting the geometric and material language of the district’s former factory buildings. The venue is adjacent to other major cultural institutions like the Pace Art Museum and the Minsheng Museum of Modern Art, and serves as a hub for innovative art exhibitions, performances, and cultural exchange.
About Journey to the West
Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, written in the 16th century by Ming dynasty scholar Wu Cheng’en. It fictionalises the real-life 7th-century pilgrimage of the Buddhist monk Xuánzàng (known in the novel as Tripitaka or Tang Sanzang), who travelled to India to retrieve sacred scriptures.
The story blends history, mythology, and folklore, following Tripitaka and his three supernatural companions — Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), and Sha Wujing (Sandy) — as they face 81 trials on their journey. Each character symbolises different human traits and spiritual challenges, making the novel a rich allegory for the path to enlightenment.
Known for its humour, adventure, and moral depth, Journey to the West explores themes of cooperation, perseverance, and spiritual growth. It has inspired countless adaptations, including the popular UK TV series Monkey, and remains a cornerstone of East Asian culture.[1]
References
[1] Journey to the West: Origin Story, Themes & Symbolism of the Famed ...
Image attribution:
A Modern Journey to the West by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839–1892)
Created in 1864, this work is in the public domain in its country of origin and in countries where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 70 years or fewer.
United States public domain tag: This image is also in the public domain in the United States because it was published before January 1, 1929.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Licence: Public domain — free to use with no restrictions.
This video is a recording of an inclusive theatre performance that took place at 19:30 on Saturday 27 September 2025 in 798CUBE, Beijing, China.
Invitation to provide paid lived experience to NHS Digital Flag project
Summer picnic brings groups together
Blue Apple Singers at Eastleigh Mela 2025
Round up of end of summer group sharings
Scarf Drama Club
Scarf Drama Club meets in New Milton at Ashley Junior School, Normans Way, New Milton, BH25 5FN during term time on Mondays 5.30 pm to 7 pm. The session 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.
The Scarf end of term sharing with families.
Branching Out
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.
Branching Out meets in Ringwood during term time on Tuesdays 5.45 pm to 7.15 pm at Forest Forge Theatre, First Floor, Pintail House, Duck Island Lane, Ringwood BH24 3AA. Email admin@blueappletheatre.com to find out more and book a taster session.
The Branching Out end of term sharing with families.
Mayflower Blue Apple Youth Theatre
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. Booking will be available soon. Keep an eye on the Mayflower website here: What's On - Shows and Events | Mayflower
The Mayflower end of term sharing with families.
Chestnut’s moment in the spotlight
A towering tribute to Jane Austen and street arts
Sturts Farm Community drama group perform their own poem
Our Sturts Farm Community drama group, run in partnership with Forest Forge Theatre, presented their end of term sharing to family and friends on Wednesday 9 July. They started with a re-enactment of the well-known tale of The Three Little Pigs, ending with a punchline about the value of hard work in building such a resilient brick house! All very apt given that across the farmyard were some very gorgeous piggies in their brick houses.
This was followed by a beautiful rendering of a poem that the group members devised during the term in rehearsal. Below is a typed-up copy of their script for you to enjoy.
Sturts Farm—a family of friends
Sturts Farm—a family of friends, Who love and care, for one and for all.
We’re farmers, gardeners, shopkeepers too, We cook, we clean, and enjoy a nice brew. There’s art, there’s drama, the occasional moo! Coming together—that’s what we do.
Animals plenty, like sugar and spice— Pigs, cows, and chickens, And teeny-tiny mice.
We learn, we grow, we find our own way, With choices to make, and freedom to play. Independence shines in all that we do, From wild woodland walks to board game crew.
There’s work to be done and plenty of play, With bushcraft and archery to brighten the day. From FarmFest joys to silent disco nights. With all these experiences, we reach new heights.
Sturts Farm—that’s us, come and say hi, We’ll greet you with smiles and a homemade pie.
Sturts Farm—a family of friends, Who love and care, for one and for all.
The Sturts Farm Community drama group performing their poem in the beautiful barn where they rehearse weekly
Our Sturts Farm Community drama group meet during term time on Wednesdays 2.30-4pm at a barn on site at West Moors, Ferndown in Dorset.
About Sturts Farm Community
The Sturts Farm Community, part of the Sturts Community Trust in Dorset, is a Camphill Community that has been providing land-based work opportunities, individualised support, and supported living for adults with learning disabilities for over 30 years. Located on a 90-acre organic biodynamic farm, the community focuses on sustainability and offers various social initiatives, including farming, horticulture, and home care.
True co-production in action: How Blue Apple Theatre champions inclusion and creativity
At Blue Apple Theatre, co-production means working together at every level—not just on stage, but in shaping our whole organisation. In the arts, “co-production” often means two companies teaming up to make a show. For us, it’s about people with lived experience and staff sharing decisions and power.
As we celebrate this year’s Innovation theme with Minstead Trust and @SCIE_socialcare, we’re proud of how our commitment to co-production inspired real technical innovation during Covid. To keep our performers safe and connected, we created an entirely digital production—using green screen filming, livestreaming, and remote collaboration. This approach was recognised with several major awards:
Best Use Of Technology – South Coast Business Awards 2022 (November 2022)
Digital Transformation – South Coast Tech Awards 2022 (June 2022)
Digital Innovation Award – Winchester Business Excellence Awards 2022 (June 2022)
Co-production at Blue Apple is more than a principle—it’s how we work every day:
A participant representative attends our trustee board meetings, ensuring every voice is heard at the highest level.
We hold regular Apple Talk forums where participants discuss ideas and issues, feeding directly into management decisions.
Our Code of Conduct is developed and reviewed collaboratively with participants helping to create a clear Easy Read version.
Every new production is developed consultatively, with participants shaping the creative process from the very start.
Our Core actors are invited to take part and speak at international festivals.
One of our participants is now a co-director trainee, working alongside our artistic and associate directors to be actively involved in the creative development process.
While we recognise the value of co-production in social care, Blue Apple Theatre is not a social care provider—we are dedicated to providing high-quality performing arts opportunities for learning disabled performers.
Let’s celebrate the impact of true co-production and innovation—in social care, the arts, and our communities. #CoProductionWeek2025 #Innovation #Inclusion #BlueAppleTheatre
Below are some images showing the involvement of Blue Apple performers in co-production
Top left: codirecting
Top right: co-designing our code of conduct
Middle right: speaking at international symposia
Middle left: representing Blue Apple Theatre in the awards process and at ceremonies
Bottom central: Blue Apple Theatre representation at national and internal forums
Bottom right: innovation in green screen technology during Covid to create a digital play
Riddles, Revelations, and Rave Reviews: Blue Apple’s Sherlock Holmes Shines
Sherlock Holmes and The Thief of Antiquity: A Blue Apple Theatre Triumph
Blue Apple Theatre’s innovative production, Sherlock Holmes and the Thief of Antiquity, captivated audiences at Theatre Royal Winchester in June 2025 with its accessible, interactive, and joyfully inclusive approach to the classic detective story. Devised collaboratively by Artistic Director Richard Conlon and Blue Apple’s learning-disabled cast, the show blended Victorian intrigue with a lively Greek chorus and invited the audience to help Holmes and Watson solve riddles and outwit the villainous Moriarty.
Reviewer feedback was glowing. Elaine Chapman from Theatre and Art Reviews gave the show four stars saying: “I have watched many of the performers over the years take on a variety of roles. My biggest observation is how as a group they have grown in confidence. ...I have watched some of the actors start from walking onto the stage in previous years and just being part of the group to now speaking a few lines without too much prompting. ...Each and every one played their role and brought the Sherlock Holmes story to life. These actors deserve to be very proud of themselves.”
Audience members echoed these sentiments, calling the performance “funny,” “entertaining,” “inspiring,” “enjoyable, “brilliant,” “thought-provoking,” “joyful,” “professional,” “high quality” and “uplifting.” Many highlighted the “confidence and skill” of the cast, and one attendee remarked, “The performers were so professional and slick – they also looked like they were really enjoying themselves. The individual growth in confidence from show to show in some of your performers is really striking.”
The accessible features, including live captioning, a visual story, and a touch tour, were also highly valued and ensured everyone could enjoy the experience. The livestream provided a valuable option to those unable to attend the theatre in person, either due to distance or ill-health with one audience member taking to social media to comment: “Really enjoyed the show tonight via livestream. Massive congratulations to everyone involved.”
In feedback audience members rated the show very highly on enjoyment and quality, awarding over 4.8 out of 5. And 100% of the audience respondents said they would come and watch another Blue Apple Theatre performance. One audience member posted on social media: “Really enjoyed the show on Thursday afternoon. What a fantastic cast! Looking forward to the next one.”
A scene from Sherlock Holmes and The Thief of Antiquity; Photo by Mike Hall
Blue Apple’s Sherlock Holmes: Changing Perceptions, One Performance at a Time
Sherlock Holmes and the Thief of Antiquity stands as a testament to Blue Apple Theatre’s mission to empower learning-disabled performers and create high-quality, inclusive theatre that resonates with audiences and critics alike.
Staging productions in professional theatres with outstanding production values—including expert lighting, set design, costumes, audio-visuals, and artistic direction—not only showcases our performers at their very best, but also represents a vital investment in their talent and visibility. By presenting work of the highest quality, we challenge perceptions, celebrate the abilities of learning-disabled people, and encourage greater inclusion and respect within our communities.
Blue Apple’s Sherlock and The Thief of Antiquity was made possible through financial support from individual donations that were then match funded through Big Give Arts for Impact and NPAC (New Philanthropy for Arts & Culture), Hampshire County Councillor Grants and Charlotte Bonham-Carter Charitable Trust.
More detailed feedback and a gallery of photographs taken by Mike Hall is available at: https://blueappletheatre.com/sherlock-holmes-and-the-thief-of-antiquity
