Search for actor with Down's syndrome for theatre company
A Scottish theatre company is set to hold auditions in Edinburgh in their search for an an actor with Down's syndrome to join their cast in a tour of the country
A Scottish theatre company is due to hold auditions in Edinburgh as they commence a nation-wide search for an actor with Down's Syndrome.
Cutting Edge Theatre is looking to recruit a performer to be understudy to Fife actor Abigail Brydon during their three week tour with the play 'Downs with Love'.
Brydon, who also has Down's Syndrome, plays the leading role.
Suzanne Lofthus, artistic director of Cutting Edge Theatre, said: “This will a wonderful opportunity for an actor who has Down’s Syndrome. The person who picks up this role will probably not be a trained actor, but is likely to be a keen member of an amateur drama group.
“They will join our professional cast and will train to take on a leading role. They need to be able to step in if Abigail is unable to perform, and will also play the lead in the play in three performances.
Lofthus wrote Downs With Love after meeting Brydon in a drama class she was teaching and developed the play with her help.
After dates on the Fringe in 2017, it toured to ten venues across Scotland in 2018. Critics described it as “creative, humorous and entertaining” and “a powerful step forward for people with Down’s Syndrome in Scotland”.
Now, the play has secured Creative Scotland funding for a new production which will tour to 14 venues, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Newcastle. It is also being developed as a script for television.
It follows the story of Beth, a vivacious and capable young woman in her early 30s who falls for the local pub singer. But complications arise when he falls in love with her support worker.
Earlier this year, Cutting Edge Theatre received a major funding award from the ScottishPower Foundation to develop opportunities for disabled people of all ages to train in performing arts.
Anyone interested in auditioning for Downs With Love should contact Suzanne Lofthus on cuttingedge21@btinternet.com