About Us
About Applecart

We at Applecart Arts believe that stories are potent and have the power to challenge, change and strengthen communities.

We work with a wide range of artistic disciplines – creating original music, film, visual art and drama. We combine this with our long-standing commitment to community engagement and a pursuit of artistic excellence.

We aim to reach across cultural divides and tell stories which engage, inspire and entertain our audiences.

In December 2021 Applecart Arts moved to The Passmore Edwards Building in Plashet Grove, East Ham. Read more about our new building here.

The History of Applecart Arts
Launched in 2008, Applecart was founded by Peter Moreton and Phil Summers. The company began by telling stories to a regular monthly audience at the White Hart Pub in Whitechapel, London. The creative duo then toured to various venues, pubs, theatres and universities around the country. Applecart also began to extend its storytelling onto the screen, making numerous short films and documentaries. Some of these can still be found over on our Vimeo

In 2012 Applecart moved into our first premises, a Victorian Methodist presbytery and school house in Tower Hamlets, where we worked alongside local artists and performers, building up community networks and relationships in the area. Seeing the potential the space had to be a hub for the creative arts, we decided to open as a venue for storytelling. In 2014 Applecart opened The Old School Room, with studio and rehearsal space for artists, theatre practitioners, writers and creatives. In 2016 Applecart closed The Old School Room and moved to bigger premises in Newham.

In January 2017 the organisation took over the Harold Road Community Centre in Upton Park, saving the building from closure and demolition. The very first Applecart Café  was opened in early 2017 and we developed and opened The Littlewood Theatre by the Spring, alongside three rehearsal spaces and artist studios and community offices. The Harold Road Centre had become Applecart Arts, a community space to share stories, nurture creative talent, see excellent art and performance that engaged and represented the local community as well the wider creative community. Check out some of our highlights here

In 2022 we moved to our new premises in Plashet Park and began renovating the old Passmore Edward's Library.  We now have a beautiful 50-seat theatre, rehearsal and exhibition spaces, art studios and welcoming community cafe.  Applecart's adventure continues in our new home and we're excited to work with emerging artists as the tell stories which celebrate the rich diversity of our thriving community.

Next read about Our Work
A community finds itself in the stories it tells, in the art it creates and the music it makes.
- Peter Moreton, Artistic Director
Our Work

Applecart’s early work includes over twenty original storytelling performances utilising drama, music, comedy and film. This work toured venues around the country.

In 2013 we completed a project working in partnership with the East London Community Land Trust and Linden Homes to collect stories from the local community, engaging with schools, local faiths groups and community centres, exploring themes of immigration and diversity. These stories, and the art that resulted from them, culminated in a visual art exhibition and the installation of two public artworks on the sight of the redeveloped St Clement’s Hospital in Bow.

Applecart’s Old School room continued to promote and encourage local musicians, storytellers and artists, promoting open days as a platform for new work. We were pleased to house the East End’s ‘Shuffle Festival’, curated by Danny Boyle, as it took its fledgling steps, and we later performed an original telling of Charles Dicken’s ‘The Chimes’ at their winter event in 2014. A year later we filmed and released six short storytelling films which continue to reach audiences in over 150 countries worldwide.

Our last Old School Room project was a series of four documentaries, presented by a local spoken word artist and highlighting the hurdles faced by people living in poverty in the UK today.

In 2016 Applecart moved to new premises in Newham, in the Harold Road Centre, and opened Applecart Arts in early 2017.

Since then, we've concentrated our efforts on creating platforms and pathways for emerging artists who are exploring themes that directly relate to the concerns of our local community. Recent projects include a schools theatre tour of play examining the aftermath of knife crime (Iz Dis a Dagga, 2019), a touring visual art exhibition called Transitions: Seen Unseen (2019) celebrating migration and movement and a film project with men in a young offenders prison and young people at risk of crime (INSIDE OUT, 2019). We also co-hosted the excellent Voila! Festival in 2017 and 2018, programming and celebrating the best of border-busting European theatre.

In October 2019 we launched ShoutOut Festival showcasing sixteen theatre performances exploring creative responses to hate and violence. 

March 2020 saw us shutting our doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but that wasn’t going to stop us! We put our history of film making to good use and launched a thriving live streaming programme, starting with The Flying Seagull Spectacular which was watched around the world by over 6000 people.

Throughout 2020 we continued to help performers broadcast their work online, and in the October of that year presented Dazed New World, a festival of live streamed shows that tackled issues including social injustice, environmental concerns and mental health, all looking at positive future narratives post Covid. December 2020 saw us launch our On Demand platform, so our audiences could watch some of our favourite shows whenever they like.

In January 2021 we welcomed four Artists in Residence, each presenting a work-in-progress showing via our online platforms. 

September 2021 saw us take over Plashet Park for Art & Soul Fest, a colourful outdoor festival of performance, music, arts & crafts as part of Newham Unlocked. Over the festival period we welcomed over 6000 visitors through the park’s gates, to enjoy the fun and celebrate our local community. 

We closed out 2021 with Christmas on Green Street, where local residents could enjoy performances, creative workshops, lights and all manner of festive fun at Queen’s Market. 

We’re so excited for the future of Applecart in our new home in Plashet Grove, and can’t wait to see where our work will take us next!

Next read about Our People
The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.
- Pablo Picasso, Painter
People
Ryan Nicholls Technical Manager (Associate)

Ryan is thrilled to have joined the Applecart team as Technical Manager, following on from extensive experience in similar roles in a number of educational establishments. Ryan has worked with Applecart for a number of years on the delivery of the festivals that Applecart has produced, and he looks forward to continuing both of these specialisms as he begins his new role in the team.

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Kevin Richardson Café Manager

Kevin has an MA in Musical Theatre and has extensive experience working in catering, including working on the South Bank and managing the Stratford Circus café/bay.

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Peter Moreton Artist Director

Peter has worked as an actor, writer, director, musician and producer for thirty years. He has performed in television, film and theatre, working for companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, Cheek by Jowl, and the National Theatre. He co-founded Applecart in 2008.

As a writer and composer his work has been performed in places as varied as Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, St Paul’s Cathedral and The Kallang Theatre, Singapore.

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Joan Tardiel Centre Co-ordinator

Joan previously worked in the business sector as an HR Manager. Since then she has developed gained extensive experience in the administration and management of community activities. She has successfully developed partnerships with community organisations and undertaken outreach work through fundraising for local community based projects. Joan continues to oversee Applecart Arts’ community development work.

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Will Alder Producer (Associate)

Will is a Producer and Lighting Designer. His previous producing work includes the award winning Bobblehat: London’s First Live Advent Calendar, which saw 24 events presented in 24 different locations across December 2017, with 24 different artists. This included everything from a pop-up Santa’s Grotto in a Police cell to opera singing in the aisles of Sainsbury’s, working with all manner of different artists, from community groups to Olivier award winners; to present a top quality free festival that had a small surprise for everyone. He has also produced on behalf of Hat Fair (Winchester), National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, and consulted for many small theatre companies.

His lighting and sound designs have been to stages (and non-theatrical spaces) big and small across the UK and abroad, most notably at the Barbican, Bunker Theatre and in London’s West End.

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Robert Kincaid Finance Officer

Robert brings over 30 years of accounting, marketing and small business management experience gained predominantly within the service sector to the Applecart team.  At the age of 24 he co-founded the West End’s first café-bar primarily serving London’s lesbian and gay communities which remained a prominent community institution for 25 years.  Returning to London after 15 years of living in Edinburgh, Robert joined the finance team of the award-winning fine dining restaurant chain, M.  He joins Applecart after a brief period working at Shelter, the homelessness and housing charity.  Robert is also currently the Assistant Accountant for the Jewish Museum London.  Outside of work, Robert’s interests are the arts, cultural history and sport with a passion for playing and watching tennis.

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Patrons

Sir Stephen Timms
Paapa Essiedu
Lydia Wilson
Cathy Sara

Trustees

Paul Regan (Chair)
Sabina Sebastian Green
Ibraheem Toure
Jack Humphrey
Hannah Roberts
Adrian Pickett
George Luke
Anastasiya Trayanova
Omar Bynon

Partners Funders
Create With Us

Create with us
Applecart Arts is not just a building with space to hire. We also produce and support the development of new work. 

We’re always on the look out for ways in which we can support and encourage actors, directors, writers, visual artists, producers, musicians, spoken word artists and any other creatives to grow and develop.

If you have a project idea that you would like to explore, we'd love to chat! In the first instance, you can submit shows using our Production Proposals Form, and one of the team will be in touch!

 

Applecart Arts Christmas Market Stall Call Out:
Applecart Arts are holding a Christmas market on Saturday, 9th December 2023 from 10:00am – 18:30pm, welcoming local crafters, artisans and makers in one place to sell a wide range of wares. Applecart Arts are committed to our local community, building relationships with local creatives and providing a space where our community can come together. The Christmas Market will coincide with Applecart Arts Christmas panto so we are hopeful for a festive atmosphere and plenty of footfall. 

Applecart have now opened applications for stall holders. For more information and how to apply please click here.

Stall holder application form

 

Contact us here
Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will.
- George Bernard Shaw
Contact Us

General enquiries & Box Office 
info_at_symbol_applecartarts_fullstop_com / 020 3475 4280

Theatre Programming
will_at_symbol_applecartarts_fullstop_com / 020 3475 4283
peter_at_symbol_applecartarts_fullstop_com  

Community Engagement & Room Bookings
joan_at_symbol_applecartarts_fullstop_com / 020 4534 3997

Finance
robert_at_symbol_applecartarts_fullstop_com / 020 4534 3996

Applecart Café
juraj_at_symbol_applecartarts_fullstop_com / 020 4558 5455

Visit us
Applecart Arts
The Passmore Edwards Building
207 Plashet Grove
London
E6 1BX

More details & how to find us here

Office hours:
Monday - Friday
9am - 5pm

Refunds, returns, exchanges and cancellations
We will exchange tickets for another performance of the same production if you return your tickets to the box office 48 hours before the original performance date, subject to availability. This applies to pre-sales only. There is a suggested donation of £2 per ticket for exchanges. Please note that we can only action an exchange once we are in receipt of the original ticket.

Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded or returned. We will only offer ticket refunds for cancelled shows.  We regret that we will not be able to offer a refund or exchange on your ticket(s) if you are refused entry to a performance due to being late.

If a performance is cancelled we will offer the option of a refund or, alternatively transferring your tickets to another performance subject to availability.

For ticket queries please email info_at_symbol_applecartarts_fullstop_com

General Ticket Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions relate to the purchase and supply of Tickets and use of Applecart Arts' website generally. Please read these terms and conditions carefully before purchasing any Tickets as by doing so, you accept these terms and conditions.

  1. If you book Tickets on behalf of others, you accept these terms and conditions on behalf of all members of the group and are responsible for all payments due from the party
  2. It is your responsibility to check that any Tickets issued to you are accurate
  3. Any purchase of Tickets is only valid when processed by ApplecartLive Ltd or an agent authorised by ApplecartLive Ltd
  4. Except as permitted under our Refunds, Returns, Exchanges and Cancellations policy as above, your Tickets may not be transferred or resold for commercial purposes or at a premium. If a Ticket is transferred or resold in breach of this condition, the bearer of the Ticket or the person claiming the right to attend the event will be refused admission to the performance or event and any membership you may have with ApplecartLive Ltd will be terminated.
  5. ApplecartLive Ltd shall be entitled to make changes as to speakers, performers, running times and other such matters as it thinks fit in the case of any event.
  6. By purchasing a Ticket, you shall be deemed to consent to you and any members of your group being filmed where the event or performance is being filmed and that ApplecartLive Ltd has complete discretion as to use of any film without recourse to you or any member of your group.
  7. All Tickets are sold subject to ApplecartLive Ltd's right to make any alterations to the cast or programme details advertised on ApplecartLive Ltd's website or other appropriate location.
  8. ApplecartLive Ltd will collect, use, store and disclose your personal details in accordance with our privacy policy which is available on request
  9. If you need to contact ApplecartLive Ltd, or if you wish to complain about your experience purchasing tickets or using ApplecartLive Ltd's website, please do so using the contact form above
  10. If any part of these terms and conditions is held to be unenforceable this will not affect the enforceability of the remaining provisions
  11. ApplecartLive Ltd reserves the right to refuse admission and may request any Ticket holders or event attendees to leave (taking any such appropriate action which may be necessary to enforce this right) before or during performances as it considers to be necessary or desirable to do so. ApplecartLive Ltd may also, on certain occasions, have to conduct security searches to ensure the safety of its patrons.
  12. Latecomers will be asked to wait until a suitable break in the performance or event before being admitted to the auditorium or other venue
  13. Mobile phones and other electronic equipment must be switched off (not silenced) for most events, unless attendees are explicitly told otherwise
  14. Please note that strobe lighting, smoke effects and gunshots are sometimes used in productions
  15. ApplecartLive Ltd and any authorised parties may carry out general filming and sound recording in or about the venue as well as filming and sound recording of performances. By purchasing Tickets you consent to you and your party being included in and to the commercial exploitation of such films and recordings without payment and waive all moral rights in such films and recordings.
  16. These terms and conditions and any Contract concluded incorporating these terms and conditions shall be governed by English law and all disputes shall be submitted to the exlcusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

 

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Support Us

Applecart Arts is a non-profit making organisation. All of our income goes back into programming exciting work and encouraging innovative creatives. We need all the help we can get and there are many ways you can support help us continue to be a venue which listens to the community it serves.

Applecart's Supporters

Applecart would like to acknowledge and thank the donations and contributions of their regular supporters, as below:

Patron
Stephen Timms MP
Paapa Essiedu
Lydia Wilson
Cathy Sara
Anne Perry

Supporter
Dr. Thomas Acton
Connie Cullen

Friend
Omar Bynon
Adrian Pickett
Ibraheem Toure
Sabina Sebastian-Green
Peter Powers
George Luke
Anastasia Trayanova
Hannah Roberts
Karl O'Keeffe
David Molofsky
Benjamin Kim-Robinson

If you would like to support us, please do so by using one of the links here or getting in touch with our Producer, Will Alder

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One-Off or Regular donations (with Gift Aid)

Funding is always an uphill struggle. Any kind of donations, big or small, are always particularly precious to us. We’ve tried to make it as easy as possible for you to help support Applecart Arts financially. Just click the link below to go to our JustGiving page, or when you buy a ticket to a show or event, why not add a donation to your order?

Donate now
Text to donate

Text APPLECART to 70085 to donate £5 to Applecart and support our ongoing work

Texts cost £5 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £5 but do not wish to receive marketing communication, text APPLECARTNOINFO to 70085

Friend

£60 per year (same as £5/month)

You believe in Applecart and support what we do.
You will receive exclusive updates via our newsletter.

Friend membership includes a benefit portion (which is the commercial value of the scheme) plus a suggested donation, which is eligible for Gift Aid, as follows: Cost £10, suggested donation £50+

The Friend membership aims to raise money to support the charitable work of Applecart Arts. As such, we request that supporters make the suggested donation level. To discuss alternative options, please get in touch.

Donate nowinfo_at_symbol_applecartarts_fullstop_com
Supporter

£120 per year (same as £10/month)

You believe in Applecart and support what we do.
You'll be listed as a supporter on our website. You will receive exclusive updates via our newsletter, 10% off food and drink at our cafe on show nights, and a free programme for certain events.

Supporter membership includes a benefit portion (which is the commercial value of the scheme) plus a suggested donation, which is eligible for Gift Aid, as follows: Cost £20, suggested donation £100+

The Supporter membership aims to raise money to support the charitable work of Applecart Arts. As such, we request that supporters make the suggested donation level. To discuss alternative options, please get in touch.

Donate nowinfo_at_symbol_applecartarts_fullstop_com
Patron

£600 per year (same as £50/month)

You believe in Applecart and support what we do.
You will receive exclusive updates via our newsletter, 10% off food and drink at our cafe on show nights, and a free programme for certain events. You'll be listed as a supporter in our venue, and receive invitations to exclusive access events, such as behind the scenes tours, meet the company events or Q&As.

The Supporter membership aims to raise money to support the charitable work of Applecart Arts. As such, we request that supporters make the suggested donation level. To discuss alternative options, please get in touch.

Contact us at info@applecartarts.com if you would like to set your payment up as a monthly direct debit. 

Donate nowinfo_at_symbol_applecartarts_fullstop_com
Keep in touch!

Join up to our mailing list to receive all the latest news direct to your inbox. You can also follow us on Social Media. Just search for @ApplecartArts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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