Do you have a set of spare leg splints? If so they could be used as props in a forthcoming play.
Kate Martinwood, an actress based in Sheffield, has received Arts Council funding to research and develop a theatre production about the effects of being the carer for a disabled person.Kate has worked as a professional actress for 30 years under the name Kate Wood and sees this as a fantastic opportunity to pull her skills and experiences together.
The play will be called Life Of Ryan and is a comedy with a strong element of dance. Performers will include a professional disabled dancer and three non-disabled actors, all of whom are locally-based.
Kate is a carer herself to her disabled son Ryan who is now 26 and lives at home. She does, she says “very much live the Carers life – battling with systems and authorities but also experiencing the beauty of my son’s innocent mind enabling me to explore the real meaning of unconditional love. This is partially what inspired me to write the play”
Kate is in the process of writing the play, which follows the story of Hayley, who is a parent care for her 10-year-old disabled son Ryan. Hayley has hit a crisis point in her life and is having a battle with social care about her sons‘s future educational provision. She has reconnected with an old school mate and a friend of this friend and the three women – all single mums yet with very different parenting styles and outlooks on life – provide an unlikely support network for each other. However differences start to appear and this has consequences for Hayley and her son.
Kate will be setting up exploratory workshops in the next couple of months and as part of the visuals of the play needs a pair of knee- high leg splints – the brighter the better. If you have a spare set please can you contact Kate on Katemartinwood@yahoo.com
