Pavilion Theatre to host family-friendly neurodivergence and autism-positive play

A new play for young people and families by autistic Irish theatre-maker Jody O’Neill (What I (Don’t) Know About Autism) seeks to celebrate the capacity and creativity inherent in autistic identity and promote autism acceptance.

Titled Grace, the play will be jointly presented by Graffiti Theatre Company and Once Off Productions at the Pavilion Theatre in Dún Laoghaire as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival.

It will run for three consecutive days, from 27^th to 29^th September 2024.

The hour-long play tells the story of a girl named Grace, who has a relationship with her father where no words are needed. In fact, Grace doesn’t use words to talk at all. However, when her father dies suddenly, Grace must navigate the world in new ways and find her voice through alternative means of communication.

Directed by Niall Cleary (Humans: A Robot Musical) and featuring a cast that includes Eleanor Walsh, Bryan Burroughs, and Grace Kiely, the production explores themes of family relationships and fractured communication. Audiences will be invited into the vibrant, multisensory landscape of Grace’s world, offering a fresh perspective on how people experience and communicate differently.

O’Neill, who discovered she was autistic as an adult, says she wrote the play to reflect the diverse experiences of autistic individuals and to challenge societal perceptions of autism. “I wanted to create a piece of theatre that would resonate with both autistic and non-autistic audiences, highlighting the beauty and strength of neurodivergent ways of seeing the world. Grace’s story is one of love, resilience, and the power of finding your own unique means of expression.”

All performances will include captions, and there will also be audio-described and ISL-interpreted performances to ensure accessibility for diverse audiences. Additionally, all performances of Grace will be relaxed performances, making them more accessible to people with sensory sensitivities.

The play’s focus on access and inclusion is in line with O’Neill’s commitment to making theatre that welcomes and reflects diverse audiences. “Theatre should be a space where everyone feels seen and heard. With Grace, we’re creating an environment where all audience members can fully engage with the story, regardless of their communication style or sensory needs.”

Relaxed performances are designed to create a more welcoming and comfortable environment by making subtle adjustments to the production, such as softer lighting and sound levels, and a more relaxed attitude towards movement and noise in the audience. This ensures that those with sensory sensitivities can enjoy the show in a supportive setting.

Performances of Grace will take place at the Pavilion Theatre in Dún Laoghaire on 27^th, 28^th and 29^th September 2024. Tickets (€14; €12 for schools) are now available for purchase. Age guidance: 8+. For more information on the show, accessibility options, or to book your tickets, please visit dublintheatrefestival.ie or paviliontheatre.ie, or email [email protected].