Blue Apple Theatre has just returned from an extraordinary international collaboration in Beijing, where Artistic Director Richard Conlon co-directed an inclusive adaptation of Journey to the West with Chinese partner Intellectual Heart Theatre Company.
The production, staged at the Luminous Festival in China’s 798 Art District, featured eight young adult performers with learning disabilities and autism. It marked the first inclusive theatre project of its kind in China, supported by the British Council’s Connections Through Culture grant.
“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.”
Richard spent ten days in Beijing working closely with the cast and co-director Chen Ran, blending UK and Chinese approaches to inclusive performance. The result was a moving, visually rich retelling of the classic Chinese tale, performed at the striking 798CUBE venue.
Ozan Revi, the Deputy Director of the British Council for China and Minister Counsellor for Culture and Education at the British Embassy spoke at the opening night’s performance.
“It is an honour to join you at the debut performance of “Journey to the West” by the Intellectual Heart Theatre Company. This unique adaptation of a classic masterpiece bring together the Chinese performers from the Intellectual Heart Theatre Company, Richard Conlon, Artistic Director of the UK’s renowned Blue Apple Theatre, and Chinese director Chen Ran. This project, supported by the British Council’s Connections Through Culture grant, reflects our commitment to international collaboration and the disability arts sector.
As the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations, the British Council is dedicated to building enduring relationships across different cultures. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of all our work – whether in arts, society, education, teaching English or offering exams. Our initiatives foster connections that enrich experiences and promote more inclusive societies.
At the British Council, we believe in the power of arts and culture to connect people, inspire change, and creative inclusive societies. This is why we are deeply committed to supporting disability arts, a vital component of our global program, and we are proud to collaborate with inspiring artists and institutions from both the UK and China.
I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has made this collaboration possible:
- The Beijing Body On&On Cultural Exchange Centre, led by Dew GE and her team
- 798 CUBE who co-organise the events
- Richard Conlon and Blue Apple Theatre, who have travelled all the way from the UK
- The Beijing Rong Ai Rong Le Family Support Centre for Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Geng Foundation
- Chinese director Chen Ran
- And of course, the talented performers from the Intellectual Heart Theatre Company
On behalf of the British Council, please accept my heartfelt thanks.”
Ozan Revi, the Deputy Director of the British Council China and Minister Counsellor for Culture and Education at the British Embassy.
Below are photos from rehearsals. Credit: Li Xiaoaco.
““This project underlines what a jewel Winchester and Hampshire have in Blue Apple Theatre. While it used to feel like a local good news story it is increasingly, internationally, important. Our cast have had a chance to partner with China from a distance over recent years and when I arrived, I was able to pass on my own casts hints tips and encouragement for the first steps into performance.
It feels like the UK is perhaps twenty years ahead when it comes to having this conversation about inclusion and visibility in the arts. Since Blue Apple’s inception, it has grown to be not just a main-stage staple of Winchester’s cultural calendar, but a provider of outreach work for around 150 regular participants across (and beyond) Hampshire.
Of course, our company is about storytelling and entertainment, but it has always had a foot in the camps of civil rights and social justice – and our Chinese partners were keen to hear about that part of our journey.””
The project was inspired by community research in Beijing, which identified Journey to the West as a story with deep cultural resonance. For many of the performers, it was their first time on stage-an experience that proved both empowering and transformative.
This international partnership highlights Blue Apple’s commitment to inclusive arts and its growing role in global conversations around accessibility and creativity.
Below are photos from the first performance. More images from the event can be seen via this link: https://www.pailixiang.com/album_ia10243061475.html
A video recording of the second performance is on our YouTube channel (subtitles not yet available).