Members of the Hijinx Academy for actors with learning disabilities will this month put on a site-sympathetic theatre event set in the ‘Cardiff underworld’.
Beneath the Streets is the result of a two-week training course, hosted by Hijinx Theatre and led by Punchdrunk Enrichment, to help 25 artists and members of the Academy who have Down’s syndrome and Asperger’s syndrome put on an immersive theatre production.
As part of the largely non-seated show, audiences will be taken to a ‘secret location’ within Cardiff city centre and invited to roam through the space encountering characters and uncovering a story as the action unfolds all around them.
Punchdrunk Enrichment director, Pete Higgin, said: “We are constantly on the hunt for exciting and unusual new spaces and places to work in. Alongside this we’re looking for exciting new contexts to work within.
“We love the work that Hijinx facilitate and are really honoured to be working with their Academy and we know the work will be both challenging and stimulating for audiences and participants. Projects of this nature give us a chance to step into the unknown and we’re looking forward to this adventure and sharing our findings.”
Further reading: Actors with learning disabilities chosen to work with Royal Shakespeare Company
The Punchdrunk project forms part of a summer packed with performances by Hijinx Academy students who will also feature in shows at Glastonbury, the Edinburgh Festival and two German arts festivals.
Beneath the streets takes place on June 13 and 14 at 18.30, 19.10, 20.10 and 20.50 in Cardiff city centre. Tickets are £5 and are available from Chapter Arts Centre by calling 029 2030 4400 or online at www.chapter.org/node/5588. Tickets are limited due to the secret location, which will be revealed at the time of booking.
