Show cancellation a 'big blow' for disability group

Pearse McCloskey says it is disappointing Skyzdalimit's show in Derry will not go ahead

A group for people with learning disabilities has said it is a "big blow" that they have had to cancel an upcoming show in Londonderry due to the theatre venue closing.

The Waterside Theatre is to close in June due to a lack of funding.

Skyzdalimit, which is based in Omagh, was in Derry promoting their show on 29 June when news came through of the closure.

The group, which has about 40 members, said they have been unable to source an alternative venue.

Founder of Skyzdalimit Pearse McCloskey described the news that the performance could no longer go ahead as like the "the carpet being pulled" from under their feet.

But he said the group is incredibly resilient and understood the reasons why it was cancelled.

Skyzdalimit was founded in 2010 to provide an inclusive space for people with learning disabilities and autism

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today, Mr McCloskey said the news was disappointing for everyone involved with the group.

"We were promoting the show outside with a flashmob dance in Guildhall Square and some in our group were handing out flyers. Then on the Monday we found out the show wasn't going ahead.

"It was a big blow because we put so much into trying to promote it, preparing for it, getting the venue, trying to get the money together and organising it.

"There was so much excitement building within the group because there was only two more months to go."

He said finding an alternate venue at such short notice was just not viable.

"You would have had to book a year ahead to get a venue and we had about two months... it just wasn't possible, so we decided just to take it on the chin," he said.

The Waterside Theatre was told earlier this month that it would not be receiving annual funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI).

Mr McCloskey said one reason they are touring is to highlight the positive impact on their members from performing on stage.

He said despite having to cancel this particular show, the response they have received from around the island of Ireland has been phenomenal.

"We had some groups in Donegal and Derry city who got in touch with us to set up groups like ours because they had seen clips of our performances in Dublin, Belfast and Omagh and thought their groups may want to do something like that.

"They thought their groups would enjoy singing, dancing and having fun on stage - like ours."