Arts charity, Suffolk Artlink, are inviting residents of Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft to free theatre performances taking place next week, developed and performed by artists with learning disabilities.

The performances are the culmination of the arts charity’s bi-annual arts training course which offers students with learning disabilities the chance to enjoy an in-depth exploration of an art form.

This term, led by artists Kirsty Thorpe, Lisa Marie Hoctor, Sally Zubowski and Molly Barrett, the art students formed their own theatre companies and created works that are infused with their ideas, creativity and imagination.

During a series of workshops, students developed stories, made costumes and props, learned about lighting, sound and other theatrical techniques to bring their tales to life.

Richard Watts, JumpstART student, said: “The part I liked is talking about the issues we’ve had in our lives – nobody usually talks about disability but we talking about it and that was important.”

Charlie Meyer, Project Development Officer for Suffolk Artlink said: “It is really important to us that we put our students are the heart of the art we create together.

“We’d love you to share the inspiration, exploration and fun enjoyed by our students this term by attending one of our free public performances.”

Bury St Edmunds

Date: 13 June, 2pm – 3pm

Venue: The Centre, St John’s Street, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1SN

We meet a woman with a robot hip and a sea lion walking stick living in Cityland. Cityland is hard to get around, inaccessible, rude, noisy and dirty. When our protagonist is swept up by a vulture and taken to Monsterland, her world is transformed. Here, in this beautiful, colourful and accessible place, our heroine learns from the Monsters how to love and accept herself.

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Ipswich

Date: 14 June, 1.30pm – 3pm

Venue: Red Rose Chain Theatre, Gippeswyk Avenue, Ipswich, IP2 9AF

This immersive theatre performance presents a collage of Suffolk community life.  Full of sounds, smells and tastes, we’ll meet residents including the well-dressed criminal, policeman, chip man and seagull as they live out their everyday adventures. During the performance, the audience will be seated at trestle tables. Watch out for the food fight!

Lowestoft

Date: 15 June, 1.30pm – 3pm

Venue: The Bethel Centre, Battery Green Rd, Lowestoft NR32 1DE

Watch as a lonely girl travels the county, helping to resolve other people’s problems. The recipients of her support include a superhero, a robber, a pop star and a zombie, who has recently been gifted a vegetarian cook book.

All performances are free.  For more information, please contact Fran or Charlie at Suffolk Artlink, 01986 873955 / [email protected] / [email protected].