| What was the company trying to say ? What was it about?
I think the company is trying to get a message across in the performance. The whole show had a strong impact on both me and the whole audience. Mind the Gap put a lot of hard work into it. All the details were spot on – and to learn all that knowledge ! It works to make a performance out of that. I think it is about one word,’ Down’s Syndrome’ . You made it different for us- it was different for us to watch a show about people with learning difficulties and disabilities. It had a light and darside. |
| How did it look – lighting, set, costumes ?
The bit I found interesting was when there was a disco at the start of the show. I could tell that it was a disco. The lighting was very effective. It made it ‘up to date. There was modern music and old music together. I liked the costumes too. The set: they had a TV camera filming the girl sitting on the chair telling her story . I liked the use of technology. It helped me to follow the stories. |
| How did it make you feel?
I felt like I learnt something new – I didn’t know how important it was for me. Now I know what it is about, it made me feel different about myself. I told my mum I was happy. I am proud of who I am. It means a lot to me.
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| Have you seen anything else like it?
I have seen the work in Ipswich when we did a conference with the Creative Mind’s project in the Jerwood Dance House. I was involved along with Aidan and Kathy. We have seen your work and so has Annette Lidster. We have seen what you did there. I haven’t seen a play about parenthood and people with learning difficulties in the theatre before. |
| If you have seen work by the Mind the Gap company before, was this different?
I think it was different. This time it had a meaning to it. It had more history involved. It felt like it said what had to be said about Down’s Syndrome and having a baby. |
| What did you like about the play ?
I like the bit when Mia was sitting on the chair talking about her life story. I looked at her facial expressions. I can tell the emotions. That was strong acting. It came on the TV – (that was different!) I could see how much it meant to her. I felt that.
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| What did you not like about it?
The bit I did not like was when it went to blackout and there was screaming and the man was hurting her. He was shouting at her and then everything went quiet. I felt – ‘it’s over’. Then everything wentback to normal. |
| Would you recommend it to your friend . . . . yes or no ? Why?
You have to see this . Don’t drop the baby’ is an awesome game show. It’s about how to look after a baby. They have to do a test about what to do in that situation – how to handle that situation in order to become a mum or dad. I say, ‘ Yes’ – I would recommend it to my friends. I think they will be interested. It will help them to understand a lot more about it (parenthood). |
| What it was like for you going to see the play (was it easy to find, were the staff welcoming, was the place confusing, was it comfortable, was it too loud)?
All the staff at The Harlow Playhouse made me feel welcome. I know where the Studio Theatre is. It was comfortable. The sound levels were just right. For me, to see the show, I think was a very good idea . I would like to say to the ‘Mind the Gap ‘ team. . . Well done to everyone in making this work . . .THANK YOU!
(photo © Maria Spadafora 2016.)
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