Making a Splash: Hft’s On Your Doorstep group bring ‘The Lonely Mermaid’ to life
The show was enjoyed by a packed audience
Talented performers from Hft’s Leicestershire On Your Doorstep Service have taken to the stage for a special show.
A team of seven budding thespians treaded the boards at Harborough Theatre, in Market Harborough to perform the play, The Lonely Mermaid.
The On Your Doorstep Theatre Group meet every Monday and have been working with Claire Parsons, of The Parsnip Youth Theatre, for the last year to write the script and rehearse the play.
Each of the members chose a character from a film or musical they would like to appear as, from William Wallace’s Braveheart to Caractacus Potts from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Danny Zuko from the film Grease.
The play tells the story of how they all meet the mermaid who has mystical powers.
She grants all of the performers their wish to become someone else, only for them to discover by the end of the play, that they actually prefer being themselves.
Ryan, who appeared as Danny Zuko said: “I really enjoyed being on stage and I especially enjoyed performing my song Grease Lightning.”
Katie, who took the role as the Lonely Mermaid, said: “I really loved performing the songs and dancing.”
The show attracted a capacity audience, all who enjoyed refreshments served up by volunteers from the Harborough Theatre Team.
Volunteers from the local community also helped with other aspects of putting on the show, from lighting to organising the musical score.
On Your Doorstep Leicestershire Team Co-ordinator Samuel Toms said: “The drama group worked really hard on the production, from deciding which characters they wanted to appear as to writing the script with Claire.
“It was a full house for the show, with audience members made up of families, friends and staff.
“The team enjoyed the whole experience so much and are already starting work on next year’s show.” Hft has a number of drama groups within services across the UK.
Drama is known to offer many benefits to learning disabled adults from improved communication skills to allowing emotional expression.
Taking part in such activities also helps boost confidence and self esteem as well as promoting social interaction and encouraging emotional expression.
