HANSEL AND GRETEL
  Come Inside Children...and join the festive fun. 
In a poor and deprived village, Hansel and Gretel are forced to leave the safety of their home, finding themselves lost and abandoned in the deepest and darkest part of the forest. Their resourcefulness and strength is tested to the limit as they come face-to-face with dangers and delights beyond their wildest dreams...
Who will they meet? What will happen? And how will they find their way home?
This Christmas, The Orpheus Centre invites you to join them on an intriguing journey into the mysterious world of Hansel and Gretel. Entirely designed and created by Orpheus students, from songs to set, this production demonstrates the unique and varied talents of the student artists. 
As they explore tackles many of the questions faced by modern day living; relationships, journeys, people's true personalities, their strengths and their weaknesses, Hansel and Gretel may stray into the scary side of the forest. With witches and shadows watching your every move, this journey is suitable for ages 6 and up. 

Performance Dates

16th December – 5.30pm
17th December – 2.30pm/7.30pm
18th December – 2.30pm/7.30pm
Tickets - £10/£6
Phone our Box Office on 01883 741414 or email marketing@orpheus.org.uk

In the weeks leading up to the show, as students and staff alike furrow deeper and deeper into this classic piece of literature, we invite you to gain exclusive access to the production process on our MySpace page.            www.myspace.com/theorpheuscentre
Keep up to date with student's work and thoughts, log on to catch up with regular blogs by directors and designers and follow us on this unique festive journey. You do not need to sign up to MySpace to access the page, but you can befriend us if you’d like – we always appreciate the company.  
Tickets are selling out fast – don’t get left out in the cold, book yours today! 

The Orpheus Centre has been open since 1998, but its work is much older.  Richard Stilgoe wanted to provide opportunities for young disabled people to participate in music, dance and drama.  He teamed up with Dr Michael Swallow, who started Share Music, and put on a week's course for young disabled people, which ended with a concert in Stilgoe's Barn Theatre.  After deciding that was not enough, Richard and Annabel converted their house and grounds into a fully accessible Centre, where young disabled people could live and develop their independence through participation in the performing arts.  In 2000, plans were made to expand the Centre [Richard and Annabel had moved out by now!]

In place of the tennis courts, work began on Centre Court; a development of 12 accessible independent living flats.  Centre Court was opened in 2003, and now houses young disabled people, who want to experience living independently, whilst in a safe and secure setting.  With the Centre Court development came 'Baseline Studios:' these are three fully accessible, state-of-the-art studies; one multi-media suite, one recording studio and one IT lab.

Orpheus has come a long way since Richard and Michael's first course: they can now accommodate 25 residential apprentices (and can enrol up to 10 day apprentices); they run courses throughout the year, that are attended by disabled people all over the world; they offer volunteering opportunities that are second to none; and they perform at prestigious venues like the Royal Opera House, the House of Commons, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Glastonbury as well as many local events such as Windsor Festival, Reigate Festival and Oxted Carnival.

For more information on the Orpheus Centre and their work please contact the Centre on 01883 744664 or email them at enquiries@orpheus.org.uk
Website: www.orpheus.org.uk

Short Course Projects 2009/2010
Applications are now being taken for all our short courses in 2009 right up to Summer 2010.

Here is your chance to work with some of the top artists and musicians in the country specialising in drama music or dance. Each week or 2 week long course finishes with a final night performance in our cosy Barn Theatre.

Some of our highlights include lyrics and composition with musician Michael Copley as part of our Instrumental and Voice week (19th - 23rd October 2009), composition, dance moves and mobile phones with acclaimed dancer Sheron Wray (4th - 8th January 2010) and a chance to take part in our christmas performance - a dark retelling of Hansel and Gretel (7th - 18th December 2009).

If you don't live locally you can still get involved as prices include accomodation at the centre for the length of the course.

To get a brochure and application form please contact us,

by phone on 01883 744664

or by email at enquiries@orpheus.org.uk


PLEASE NOTE: TO TAKE PART, YOU MUST BE BEWTEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 26 AND HAVE A PHYSICAL AND/OR SENSORY IMPAIRMENT OR A LEARNING DISABILITY.