TODAY rehearsals commenced for Seize The Day – Hijinx Theatre’s new national touring production. Cast, production team and staff met this morning at Chapter Arts Centre for a read through of the script. There will now be four hard weeks of rehearsals before the opening night at The Riverfront, Newport on Wednesday 17th May. This is a new play by Glenys Evans with Sarah Gordy, a talented actress with Down’s syndrome as Mary. Set in the 1930s, Seize The Day features Mary (Sarah Gordy), the new maid downstairs, struggling to learn the ropes in the house of Lord and Lady Webb. Stripped of her freedom and her name, Mary is drawn into the world of ‘upstairs’ by the daughter of the house. When her love for Lord Webb’s groom, Harry blossoms, the danger of losing her job as well as her heart grows. Glenys Evans was commissioned by Hijinx Theatre to write Seize The Day, with a part in it for Sarah. Artistic Director Gaynor Lougher said: “Seize The Day is a play about challenging perceptions, overcoming obstacles and making others re-evaluate their prejudices – about breaking out. I am very excited to be directing this piece that features Sarah in our 25th Birthday year”. As a company Hijinx Theatre have long been committed to breaking down barriers and challenging perceptions wherever possible. The play, featuring a learning disabled actress, will give a positive image of disability which will be stronger than any number of conferences, meetings or reports. As an organisation Hijinx will benefit tremendously from this, as will all the cast and production team, all audiences whatever their ability and the learning disabled community. This production, while giving an opportunity to a young learning disabled actress early on in her career, realises a long held dream for Hijinx, one which we have been working towards for many years. The mixed ability professional cast will present a positive image of disability in terms of diversity and equal opportunities, as well as telling a spellbinding story. Audiences, particularly learning disabled audiences, will hopefully be inspired by the play as a whole while taking away new thoughts about what is possible. People without learning disabilities will be better able to think outside the box of their pre-conceptions and have a good evening of entertainment. Seize The Day ~ by Glenys Evans National Tour of Wales and England - 17th May to 14th July 2006 |
| Hijinx Theatre web site: www.hijinx.org.uk |
| Michelle Whittick e-mail: michelle.whittick@hijinx.org.uk |
Tuesday, April 18, 2006 |
Older news
stories have been carefully archived.
2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999