A UNIQUE take on Shakespeare’s King Lear presented by Run of the Mill Theatre in collaboration with St John of Gods Community Services is taking place in Draiocht Blanchardstown later this month.
Created and performed by an ensemble of theatre makers with intellectual disabilities, Reason in Madness is a colourful, evocative reworking of one of Shakespeare’s most challenging pieces.
It explores themes of aging, vulnerability, mental health, power and responsibility and lead actor, Mark Smith, is hoping it’ll enable him to swap his supermarket job with a career treading the boards.
People with an intellectual disability in Ireland are now living longer lives than ever before. However, for people with Down Syndrome, this increase in life expectancy comes with an acute risk as there’s an estimated 75 per cent greater chance of developing early onset dementia and Alzheimer’s disease than the rest of the population.
As researchers and clinicians strive towards better methods of early diagnosis; Reason in Madness, artistically unpacks this fraught concept of growing older and the mind becoming more vulnerable, through the medium of one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies.
Supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, director Aisling Byrne says investment in the project has allowed a group of talented performers to bring their ideas to full realization in what is their most ambitious project to date.
“The investment from The Arts Council shows a strong commitment to supporting the work of theatre artists with intellectual disabilities; building upon the incredible and trailblazing work of companies such A Blue Teapot in Galway,” she added.
“The funding has allowed our performers to collaborate with a team of professional artists and designers, such as set designer Ciaran O’Melia and dramaturg Oonagh Murphy, towards creating a piece of work that is ambitious and fully realised; allowing them to make a rich contribution to the cultural landscape of their community and have their voices included in cultural life in Ireland.”
The impact of participation in this collaboration goes beyond artistic ambition, and has been found to have a profound impact upon the lives of the participants, as Day Programme Manager at St John of Gods Community Services Leo Gordan notes
“This project has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on the individuals taking part as we see them grow not only in confidence and creativity, but also in their career ambitions,” he said.
“For some of the participants they see this as an opportunity for a possible pathway to further professional arts practice, and a chance to become more visible and to have their voices heard.”
This is confirmed by lead performer Mark Smith’s hope that he one day may get to “pack in the bag packing” at his part time supermarket job for the bright lights of a full time stage career.
Reason in Madness will be performed at Draiocht on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 29 & 30. Tickets cost €14 (€12 concessions) from www.draiocht.ie or by calling 01-8852622.