Playing
Out My Story
A
group of people with a learning disability from different
cultural backgrounds embarked on a journey of
self-discovery to explore their own culture and identity
and that of others. The result was My
Story, a play aimed at
sharing their learnings and to demonstrate that any of the
group’s hopes, dreams and aspirations are no different to
anyone else’s.
The play, performed on 30 October at Soho Theatre in
London, showcased the thoughts and imaginations of members
of the culture group – a group of ten people with a
learning disability in their mid 20s to 40s from London.
Supported by the Out Choice self advocacy project, the
group was formed at the request of several Our Choice
members who were keen to explore cultural awareness and to
try their hand at drama.
My
Story was made possible by
an Awards for All Lottery grant, which enabled the group to
work in partnership with Soho Theatre’s education,
community and outreach programme, Soho Connect, and to
harness the expertise of director Tessa Walker and video
artist Vishal Shah.
Featuring a mixture of live performance, video interviews
and animation, My Story took a closer look at the likes,
dislikes and aspirations of the group.
In the video interviews and live performance, group members
gave their thoughts about who they were, what culture meant
to them and what their hobbies were.
The audience learned, among other things, of group member
Kwok Man’s love of Halloween, Patricia O’Connell’s
successes at keeping fit and losing weight, and Valerie
Fenwick Stankley’s thoughts about her Irish heritage and
about living in London.
Culture groups members, along with their supporters, were
obviously proud of their achievements and keen to express
their eagerness to perform again.
Vishal
Shah, Art Director/Video Artist and Tessa Walker, Director
- Freaksignal Productions
www.freaksignal.com
Viewpoint
November/December 2007
