Donegal Down Syndrome have teamed up with Omagh-based musical theatre company Skyzdalimit, to spread the word about its upcoming show at Derry’s Waterside Theatre.
Skyzdalimit is the UK & Ireland’s foremost diverse musical theatre company. This June, they have their North West debut with a musical comedy, Love Me Love Me Not, at the Waterside Theatre, Derry.
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the show’s cast is made up of learning-disabled and autistic performers who promise an unmissable night of fun for all the family.
Skyzdalimit was founded in 2010 by Letterkenny man Pearse McCloskey, son of Liam and Mary McCloskey, Kiltoy.
Over the past decade it has been pushing the boundaries of diverse theatre with its high-octane spectacular musical stage productions with a cast of 38 autistic and learning disabled perfomers. It has pioneered for greater inclusion and diversity in the Arts by taking its productions on tour since 2019.
Sheila said: “I really support what they are trying to achieve by touring their shows – to inspire the learning-disabled and autistic communities to get involved in musical theatre because it’s life-transformational. Pearse is right when he says there’s a Special Olympics group in every big town in the country which caters for sporting ambitions, but where is the outlet for those who would like an opportunity to sing and act and dance, which comes very naturally to those with a learning disability and autism. Donegal DS would be very keen to start up a local musical theatre group like Skyzdalimit. Pearse said Skyzdalimit, with their experience and expertise, are keen to help new groups get set up.”
Skyzdalimit has sold out theatres in Dublin and Belfast and has won the plaudits of celebrities- Lisa McGee( Derry Girls writer), Ian McElhinney(Grandad Joe in Derry Girls), Dr. Who and the A-Word’s Christopher Ecclestone, former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, Northern Ireland’s First Minister designate, Michelle O’Neill, who went to see their show in Belfast and last but not least by any means, Oscar winner, James Martin MBE.
Pearse added: “James Martin’s Oscar triumph has been a real inspiration to us. James’ stardom has shown other actors with disabilities that it is possible for them to make the big time. I sincerely hope that James Martin’s Oscar success will be “the catalyst to change the public perception to diverse theatre, while inspiring learning disabled and autistic people to start new theatre groups around the country and produce more talent like James Martin”.
“This will be our first time coming to the North West and we are very excited about that! We are delighted to have Donegal DS as our partner to help promote our show in Donegal. Sheila is extremely dedicated and the group is very active. This was first apparent when they organized a bus to take their members the whole way to Dublin to see our show!”
Sheila concluded-“ We can’t wait to see this show! I’d encourage families with learning-disabled or autistic children to go to see this show to see for themselves what their children could aspire to achieve on stage in the future and how their lives could be transformed. The future is bright!
Skyzdalimit perform the musical, Love Me Love Me Not, at the Waterside Theatre, Derry, on Saturday 29th June at 7.45pm. Tickets available online at “Waterside Theatre” or box office on 028 7131 4000.