Inclusive theatre for adults
Play In A Week is an annual week-long fully inclusive project, which enables adult actors with learning and/or physical disabilities to enjoy the magic and benefits of participating in a theatre show and putting on public performances in a real theatre.
Play In A Week is held in the southeast of England and is now in its 22nd year!
Starting on a Monday morning each July, between 40 and 50 enthusiastic and talented participants, a raft of volunteer helpers, along with a team of specialist professionals start work at the Nomad Theatre in East Horsley.
The actors work hard everyday throughout the week to rehearse, learning lines, songs and dance routines from scratch. There are no “limitations” on who can be an actor at Play In A Week. Everyone is welcome regardless of (dis)ability. All we require is that people come along with enthusiasm, energy and team spirit, and are able to attend every day in order to learn their parts and be an equal part of the Company.
We engage a small number of specialist professionals to make all this possible for our actors! An experienced Playwright is commissioned to write our play each year. It is unique because of the large number of cast members involved and the goal of ensuring that everyone has a worthwhile part to play in the production. We also aim to include ever popular song and dance numbers, so these must form part of the storyline all of which is written and tailored to suit us!
Our Director then manages and drives the week’s rehearsals; inspiring cast, crew and volunteers to stretch themselves, achieve personal goals, and form a cohesive and supportive team having lots of fun!
The Choreographer designs and teaches both dance and movement routines, and helps to direct physical movement around the stage.
The Musical Director composes, writes and teaches the company several songs each year, usually done completely from scratch. He is also a sound effects wizard who provides “mood” music to order and well as whatever other noises, bangs, crashes, and bizzare sounds the Director decides to throw into every scene of the show!
Off stage other participants, along with volunteers, can be found hard at work all over the theatre during the rehearsal week making costumes, constructing and finding props and scenery to order! They are also making magic happen in the technical box by planning the customised sound and lighting which gives the final production a professional finish. Surtitling is written to help improve communication which is delivered live during each performance.
Even as the daytime activity dies down and the actors leave the building everyday, there is still a hive of activity going on. With the stage clear and safe, large items of scenery and backdrops are painted and put in place, lighting rigs can be built, and even the stage floor itself is painted.
At the end the busy week, everything somehow comes together beautifully as the curtain rises on Saturday night, and a paying public audience get to see the results of everyone’s hard work. We have a Sunday matinee show too, and without fail everyone goes home at the end of it all totally elated and justifiably proud of their achievements.
Work then starts straight away for the team of organisers to kick off the year-long programme of planning and fundraising for next time.
Applications are now open! If you want to participate or volunteer you MUST fill in an application form please.
Participants must fill in this form – Remember that you need to pay the Show Fee and Nomad Membership fees on or before 31st March 2022.
Volunteers must fill in this form.
If you would rather print off a paper copy and post your application to us you will find a link to a ‘pdf’ at the bottom of each of the forms above.
If you have any difficulties with the application process please let us know.
Location – In the Ballroom at The Grange Centre, Bookham. KT23 4DZ
Time – 10:00am to 3:00pm
Please bring your own packed lunch. Cold drinks will be available.
If you have not yet completed an application form to participate or be a volunteer this summer, please get it done this week on-line, or bring a printed form with you on Saturday.
Covid-Safety: Please keep the hugging to a minimum (!) because we are still being careful. Please remember to wear a mask or visor if you are able to do so. We will have hand sanitizer available.
We ask that everyone do a lateral flow test before coming along, and if you are positive for Covid, please stay home!
10:00am to 3:30pm
12.00pm to 9:30pm (to be confirmed)
12.00pm to 5:30pm (to be confirmed)
Please visit our Facebook page to get all the latest information.
Saturday evening, 7:30 pm, 30th July,
and Sunday afternoon, 2:30pm, 31st July
Tickets are NOT YET AVAILABLE for these performances
Online at: Ticketsource
By phone: 01483 284747, and leave a message on the answerphone, the box office will call you back.
In person: Call in to the theatre on Saturdays 10am-12.30pm. You can pay by cash, cheque or credit card.
During the week of Play In A Week 2022 you can contact us by:
Email – admin@playinaweek.org.uk
Telephone – 01483 284747
Please check back here, or visit our Facebook page, for updates on our exciting new project.
Please check back here over the coming months (or follow our Facebook page!) to find out all about the fundraising events we are planning to help us finance the 2022 production.