Image by Teatr Biuro Prodozy

The Monday Players visited Macbeth, appropriately enough, on Monday – the 26th October, and were stunned. Maybe there wasn’t much of Shakespeare’s text in evidence, but what a spectacle!

Stormtroopers on motor bikes and in side-cars stormed up ramps, wielding flaming torches. The witches pursued Macbeth on stilts, pushing a huge roller in front of them and driving him to the brink of madness. Lady Macbeth was sensual and determined and shockingly, is found hanged by a distraught Macbeth. The young and cheeky Fleance overcame all and took the crown from Macbeth. We all thought it was wonderful and couldn’t take our eyes off the car park arena where fortunately the weather was kind to us. It was a dry and very mild night. The Players have been working on the text of Macbeth in their Monday workshops and as they left there were murmurs about the possibility of a wheelchair version! Sincere thanks go to the Ulster Bank who provided us with free tickets for this event.

A LOT LIKE YOU
Open Arts Drama Group presents sketch show in Black Box, Belfast

The Monday Players, a diverse group of people with disabilities, who meet every Monday at the Crescent Arts Centre will be showing ‘A LOT LIKE YOU’, a comedy show at the Black Box in Belfast on Friday 8th February at 1.30pm and 3.30pm. A comedy show is probably not what the general public would expect to see from this group, but it is a good way of telling people about disability issues and raising awareness.

‘One of the most notable traits of the group is their sense of humour’, say the two drama facilitators, ‘so it was only natural to work on a comedy show. There also is a lot of support between the different members and everyone is welcome to join in.’ All the sketches were developed over the last few months by using improvisation and then eventually scripting scenes from suggestions and ideas that developed in rehearsal and through discussion.

The show is free of charge but donations to cover costs will be welcome. ‘We are forming a closer relationship with the Black Box as a venue’, says Kate Ingram, director of Open Arts, ‘We hope to run a regular nightclub for people with disabilities in it, funding permitting, so this seems like a good introduction to the venue.’ For more information about the show or Open Arts please contact Kate on 02890 312515 or email openarts@aol.com