3rd January 2018 saw the launch of the second Grace Eyre Drama Project – a five month project where ten people with learning disabilities meet weekly to devise and deliver a new dramatic performance. Following on from the success of last year’s Grace Eyre Street, this year’s production focusses on a block of flats, the people who live there and their lives. The rehearsals take place weekly in the Purple Playhouse Theatre.
93% of people with learning disabilities interviewed in 2012 said they felt ‘lonely and isolated’ so Grace Eyre decided to run this drama project so that adults with learning disabilities could gain skills and confidence, make new friends, try new things, and join in the local community.
The group is led by Mark Richardson and Imogen Liddell. Mark was the Artistic Director of Carousel in Brighton for 22 years and has been running drama projects together with people with learning disabilities for over 30 years. Imogen is a Grace Eyre support worker, driven to provide help and joy to the people she supports.
Imogen commented that ‘it’s the actors whom come up with the ideas and decide what to put on the stage. Mark and I facilitate the theatre warm ups to encourage creativity but everything you see on the stage has come from the performers themselves and their work around one concept of a block of flats.’
The five month project will culminate in two performances as part of this year’s Brighton Fringe. The shows are on Wed 23rd May and Wed 30th May from 7.30pm. Last year’s show was a sell out so don’t miss out! Tickets are on sale here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1626062290765666/ You can also follow the progress of the project on Tumblr https://graceeyrestreet.tumblr.com/ or, if you’d like to find out more get in touch with Mark Richardson 07921 095492 or mrichardson@grace-eyre.org