Alphabet musical ready to grow

Using animals, songs and magical memories, a new musical is able to expand thanks to a new grant. PHIL CREIGHTON explains

ALOCAL family-based theatre show created in the borough and featuring music from The Hoosiers is celebrating after receiving a grant to allow it to develop the play further.

AnimAlphabet The Musical, created by Hit The Mark Theatre, has been awarded the support from the National Lottery and Arts Council England. It will be used to develop the educational and accessibility aspects of the show.

It follows on from similar funding last year that allowed the show to expand its accessibility to deaf and hard of hearing audiences with signed performances. The group also staged relaxed performances for audience members with sensory sensitivities.

The musical fuses highenergy actors, colourful puppets, amazing characters and the catchy songs. And the funny, fast-paced show is bursting with witty songs by Al and Sam of double platinum pop band The Hoosiers and featuring Kerry Ingram (Olivier award winner and star of Netflix’s Free Rein) as the voice of Metro The Gnome.

The new round of funding enables the group to now improve its accessibility.

Dean Penn, who helps run

Hit The Mark, said: “In 2018 we are taking accessibility one step further by using technology to make every performance around the UK accessible to deaf and hard of hearing audiences. We have researched this and we can't find an example where this has been done before in theatre.

“We will also offer touch tours making the show more accessible to blind and partially sighted audience members and relaxed performances for audience with sensory sensitivities.”

To help them meet their targets, they will work with Stacey Stockwell, a BSL interpreter and disability expert and Carly Jones MBE British Autism Expert.

And the funding will also enable the cast to run AnimAlphabet workshops in primary schools across Wokingham and Berkshire.

Mr Penn said: “We are interested in hearing from all schools but particularly interested in hearing from schools who offer support to children with special educational needs.

“The workshops will give pupils the opportunity to learn about music and musical theory through song, dance and drama.”

The AnimAlphabet is coming to South Hill Park in Bracknell on Monday, May 28. There are two performances at 11.30am and 2.30pm. Tickets cost

£11.50 each, with family tickets available.

For more details, log on to www.animalphabetmusical. com; any schools interested in a workshop should email dean@ hitthemarktheatre.com