Workshop Leader - Deborah Wilding, Associate Director

Sponsored by Barclays Plc, the project was developed over 6 months in collaboration with local people affected by physical disability or mental health issues. Based on the work of the renowned Brazilian theatre practitioner Augusto Boal and using forum theatre to form a sense of community where participants feel comfortable enough to express themselves freely, the participants explored the perceptions, myths and challenges surrounding physical disability and metal health.

The result was a theatre workshop performance which toured for 3 weeks to day centres and residential homes across Hampshire.

Dramaturg for the project was Ali Campbell, a leading exponent of the work of Augusto Boal, the legendary Brazilian director whose Theatre of the Oppressed movement extends around the world. He Said "Boal's work helps marginalised and oppressed groups not just talk about, but to act out the issues that concern them and look for real solutions. The principles of this are the same whether you are working with the street children in Brazil, AIDS education in Africa or bullying in local primary schools, everyone has a voice, everyone has a story to tell. The solution to even the most difficult dilemmas may almost always come from a direction no-one ever expected".

The Team:

Director - Deborah Wilding
Dramaturg - Ali Campbell
Performers - Liza Vallance, Jo Mansfield, Patricia Liburd, Tony Taras

"An excellent way of involving people in playing out their feeling... a wonderful way to stretch the mind and exercise the body... very entertaining and fun. Hope you can come back next year".