Theatre company for 'unheard' voices marks 30 years

Founding member Angela Chadwick overcame her shyness to become one of the stars of the group

A theatre company for actors with learning disabilities is celebrating 30 years of putting on "accessible and thought-provoking" shows.

The DIY Theatre Company, in Salford, began as a small group of people who wanted the opportunity to express themselves on stage.

It now boasts more than 40 actors and stages regular performances for the community and specialist schools.

Creative director Sue Caudle said the company summed up "what theatre is about", and had enabled its members "to realise what fantastic skills they have" while giving them the chance to speak out.

Charlotte Little (left) praised the company for its non-judgemental approach

"The kind of work we do is all about people that don't have those opportunities to get heard or have a voice," she said.

"That was exactly what this group of people wanted to do with theatre."

She added that DIY was always an exciting place to work because their members came up with an abundance of creative ideas.

“It is non-judgemental and it doesn’t matter if you make any mistakes," said fellow company member Charlotte Little.

"We all support each other.”

Sue Caudle: "When we started, people were not expecting to be heard."

Angela Chadwick, who has been a member since the company began, said it had become a huge part of her life.

"I used to get shy when I first started - I wouldn't speak to anyone," she recalled, but she has subsequently blossomed into one of the troupe's stars.

These days, she represents the company at meetings. She has vowed to never stop being part of the DIY Theatre group.

Another founding member, Dave Austin, has appeared in all of the company's performances over the past three decades.He said he particularly enjoys touring and visiting schools because he likes to work with children.

Scott Lawrie says it was "an absolute privilege" to be part of DIY Theatre

Fellow member, Scott Lawrie, said it was "an absolute privilege" to be part of the company.

"I like it because it gets me out the house and meeting new people."

He said the longevity of the company "just proves how well people have done, and how much work we've actually put into the company".

Ms Caudle said: "When we started, people were not expecting to be heard.

"They felt like they were people that needed to be supported - they weren't people that could support others.

"I think the journey for a lot of our members has been to realise what fantastic skills they have."

DIY Theatre is staging a special production featuring a film called Exploring our Past, Shaping our Futures, as part of its 30th birthday celebrations later on Tuesday at the New Adelphi Theatre, at the University of Salford.