The Unusual Stage School was Disability Arts Cymru's first 11 day residential acting course for aspiring disabled actors.
"For me, USS was indeed an unmissable, saturating and sensational experience. At times I was fascinated, scared, frustrated, excited, elated, sad, captivated, disappointed, exasperated, exhausted and exuberant (to a point of leaping in the air). I both laughed until I cried, and cried until I laughed again. But that's what I like something to put my body, brain and heart into."
Lyn Street, Company Member
Following a recruitment and shortlisting process in April 2006, seven men and five women were offered a place on the course. In June 2006, the actors spent 11 days at Clynfyw Countryside Centre in Pembrokeshire, devising and rehearsing a cabaret-style show inspired by their own stories. At the end of the course, the company played to a packed house at Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. In January 2007 the Unusual Stage Show played again at the Grand Theatre Swansea tickets completely sold out.
Unusual Stage School has been a resounding success the first ever accessible theatre training provision for disabled people in Wales. We intend to develop this work, and fundraising is ongoing.
Actors: Leila Bebb, Lee Ellery, Kay Jenkins, Andrew Hubbard, Jon Luxton, Martin Maclean, Ian Rees, Andrew Rinvolucri, Lyn Street, Sherrall Morris, David Woodham, Carys Williams.
Unusual Stage School was funded by the Arts Council of Wales and the Millennium Stadium Charitable Trust.
All images by Keith Morris.
Jon Luxton and Andrew Hubbard's bickering sketches had everyone in stitches!
The Cruise - David Woodham, Kay Jenkins and Lee Ellery get the audience giggling.
The Nymphs - Lyn Street, Carys Williams and Leila Bebb
The Dinner Party was inspired by Martin Maclean's experiences as a Deaf person
The company rehearse the show's spectacular finale
