Celebrating freedom on the stage

Published on Tuesday 9 June 2009 10:06

SHE moves with a delicate grace, perfectly poised. Then Emily Aikman spins, her arms raised high above her head before dropping to the floor and, cat like, she skulks away.

When the pounding beat stops her face breaks into a broad, delighted, uninhibited smile. It's then her distinctive features are revealed – she's undoubtedly Downs Syndrome – but for that spell when she was dancing, the difficulties she faces in life melted away.

Just like Susan Boyle – whose remarkable voice surpassed what was expected of a 40-something woman who had struggled all her life with learning difficulties – Emily's dance is more than simply a competent stage performance.

Behind her, fellow pupils from Leith's Pilrig Park School – all of whom are affected by a medical condition or other difficulty – take up their dance positions too.

Sophie Strawbridge is a 14-year-old from Pentcaitland with cerebral palsy. She came to the Pilrig school withdrawn, lacking in confidence and with rock bottom self esteem. Now, weaving her way proudly through the group of pupils, she holds her head high.

Later she stops to talk enthusiastically about how much she's loved taking part in the school's annual performance and her teacher is thrilled. "She would never have spoken to you before this," says Ellen Muir, Pilrig's theatre arts teacher. "It's amazing how she's changed. This changes them all."

Those changes – taking nervy girls like Sophie and Emily, 16, from Craigentinny, who spent her first months at the school staring at her shoes and refusing to speak, and bullying victim Reece Fleming, 17, from South Queensferry, tormented for not being able to read or write, and making them confident stage performers who on Friday will bring down the house at the Festival Theatre – is largely down to a unique theatre project. It's one which, on paper, appears to be a blueprint for mayhem yet, incredibly, is the basis for a sell-out show.

Who would imagine that taking youngsters with moderate to severe learning disabilities – many of whom barely know how old they are or how to spell their own surname – and allowing them to create their very own theatrical work would result in one of the venue's most emotionally charged events of the year?

Yet in its past three years, that has been the result, with near sell- out audiences left with tears streaming down their faces having witnessed an electrifying, 'lump in the throat' production that, even if it isn't quite the Bolshoi Ballet, oozes real life drama and 'against the odds' achievement.

Indeed, the Pilrig Park School's end of year show has the professionals scrambling to join in – even they are caught in the emotional surge it creates.

"It's a real fight to be part of this, because it's just fabulous working with these kids," admits Graham Raith head of electrics at the theatre.

"Admittedly, the first time we agreed to this we were wondering what we were getting into. Then we saw them rehearse and by half way through there were tears in our eyes."

Today he is watching the Pilrig children practise in their gym hall, frantically noting each scene so he can match their incredible achievements with a suitably stunning light show.

"These children put on a show they should be proud of – the end result is pretty much damn near professional quality," he says.

"OK you might very rarely spot a wee head poking around the side of the stage that's perhaps not supposed to be there, but that would only be part of the unique charm."

It's now become one of the highlights of the theatre's year. "We actually try to make sure it's the last thing we do before we break up for summer holidays – because it means you leave with such a buzz," says Graham.

"They get a standing ovation – and it's absolutely deserved. It's on those nights that you remember what the spirit of the theatre is all about."

On Friday night that spirit will seep through the auditorium again, when 60 pupils perform Eco-logical, a dance-based production which explores mankind's impact on the natural world.

Perhaps mirroring their own experiences the poignant show focuses initially on the impact of tragedy and captivity, then soars to a climax where despair is replaced by hope and a will to fight back and restore harmony.

Everything, from the storyline to the set, costumes and programmes, is their own work – a remarkable achievement for children who, explains Mrs Muir, typically struggle to perform even basic tasks.

"This is all their work," she nods. "They come up with ideas for the set, the costumes, everything. On the night they become back stage managers, ushers.

"All of that is a huge challenge for them. There are children here who are Downs Syndrome, have a palsy of some kind, they might have epilepsy.

"Most of them have huge difficulties being able to carry out sequenced tasks – they have problems learning to read or write.

"Yet they will be on stage for 90 minutes, doing 15 or 16 different sequences and they will do them absolutely perfectly.

"Not many people can walk on a stage in front of 2,000 people and do something like this.

"For them to do so with their difficulties, it is amazing."

At that point, the tall, graceful figure of 17-year-old Jade McConnachie takes to the floor for her performance.

Her problems made her a target for bullies at her last school and she handled their vicious attacks by lashing out angrily , sometimes at her own mother.

Now she lets the thumping beat of the music absorb her.

As fellow pupil James Morris, 16, from Wester Hailes, wraps his arms around her waist and raises her from the ground, her face is serene.

"This part always makes me feel like crying. It's about love, look at this lift," says Mrs Muir as Jade's feet leave the floor and she is spun gently in James's arms. "It's beautiful."

Later Jade, of Muirhouse, agrees the music and dance brings her a peace that sometimes evades her in everyday life.

"It makes me happy," she says. "I feel much better when I do this. I know I have behaviour problems. If someone bullies me I get upset. I sometimes shout at my mum.

"When I'm on stage with the music, I'm really happy."

James has severe learning difficulties yet they too seem forgotten as the adrenalin rush of performing takes over.

"I'm the main star!" he says gleefully, before adding: "It's a wee bit scary being on stage at first, but it makes me feel good. I would like to dance all of the time."

Emily, the teenager with Downs Syndrome who came to Pilrig as a terrified 11-year-old who refused to lift up her chin and wouldn't smile, glides past, concentrating hard on her steps. She halts, poses as the throbbing music ends and then breaks into another enormous grin.

"Amazing," smiles Mrs Muir, and it's not simply the step perfect routine her pupil has just completed that she's complimenting her on. "They are all absolutely amazing."

• Pilrig Park School's production Eco-logical, is on at the Festival Theatre on Friday 12 June. Tickets cost 7 from the box office on 0131 529 6000. See www.festivaltheatre.org.uk for further details.

A REWARDING ACT

Pilrig Park School provides education for secondary aged pupils with additional support needs.

Its unique Theatre Arts programme started as a small offshoot of the school's PE classes. However theatre arts teacher Ellen Muir's vision to evolve the programme was supported by headteacher Joyce Mudie – and today it forms a key area within the school's curriculum.

This year's performance at the Festival Theatre is the school's fourth show at the city venue. It will feature a special tribute to Mrs Mudie, who is retiring after 21 years.

She said recently: "The most fulfilling thing in that time has been watching young adults go on to greater things."