The Blue Teapot Theatre Company in Galway takes to the road this week with a new show which has already proved hugely popular in the city.
The Millennium Fable, which was directed by a local mime artist, Hugo Seale, at the Black Box Theatre in Galway, is a hilarious modern fable, complete with recorded sound effects and new song and dance routines.
The unusual thing about this fourth production by Blue Teapot is that virtually the entire cast of 30 is made up of adults with learning difficulties and the play was written in conjunction with them.
Rehearsals have been hugely enjoyable for the adults with special needs who come from three Brothers of Charity centres in Co Galway. Participants from the Clarenmore Centre, Galway; the Orchard Centre, Gort; and Bruach na Mara, Costello, Connemara, have come together every week since Christmas for rehearsals.
"It's great to see people from three different centres coming together and making new friendships," says Mr Claude Madec, of the Brothers of Charity. "The show has helped us to portray a totally different image of people with disabilities and the actors have really enjoyed the chance to perform on stage.
"We find that taking part in plays can be very therapeutic. People have started to develop self-confidence and better relationships with each other. It is a group process and we have written the whole thing ourselves."
The play, set in modern Galway, contains some sharp social commentary and hilarious interaction between the characters. It follows a journey of discovery undertaken by three central characters who meet a spirit in the woods.
Much of the play is based on the reflections and experiences of the cast who recorded segments of the show in advance at Sun Studios in Tuam, Co Galway.
"People have really liked what we have done with this show," said Mr Madec. "I knew it would go well but we were nervous and we have been overwhelmed by the reaction from the public. It is a warm show, which has helped to bring people together and it has brought great joy to the cast members themselves."
Says Mr Seale: "People who would have been very shy are getting a chance for social and personal development through these shows. The cast members love to play music and many of them have great natural rhythm."
The production can be seen at O'Sullivan's Hotel, Gort, tomorrow and the Linen Hall Theatre, Castlebar, Co Mayo, for two shows on Thursday.
It will also return to the Black Box in Galway for one show on June 15th, with further dates to be confirmed for Ballinasloe, Ennis, Co Clare, and the Dublin City Arts Centre.
For further information contact Mr Madec at the Brothers of Charity in Galway; telephone (091) 755241 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.