Under Milk Wood

Thank you for the invitation to join you for your inclusive production of Under Milk Wood. Using a grant from Reading Seed Fund which allowed extra rehearsal time, a more accessible rehearsal space and extra support for the project, the director was able to realise her  vision to remove barriers to and diversity in theatre performance and increase accessibility for actors with special needs. The cast of 20 worked very well together, with all of the actors supporting each other.

The challenge for staging Under Milk Wood is how to bring to life a play which does not really have a plot but is an observation of Welsh village life. In this production, there was the added challenge of working with a diverse cast, some of whom had special needs, and ensuring that the play was accessible to everyone. Working together, the directors did just that, instilling in the cast an understanding of the language and nuances of the play.

There were many clever acting devices within the production, and as well as many imaginative elements of theatrical performance there were creative design elements which really added to the performance. The set was enhanced by quilts which on one side were bed coverings and on the other set pieces featuring different locations within Llareggub, and the use of multiple levels on the stage added interest to the acting space.

I really enjoyed this inclusive production of Under Milk Wood and commend the Progress Theatre for their performance.

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