‘ACT’

The Avenue Community Theatre Company

The Avenue Community Theatre ‘ACT’ is a group for adults with disabilities, learning difficulties and adults struggling with mental health and addiction. ACT come together in weekly drama workshops to create thought provoking theatre and film that challenges the way society views vulnerable adults and those who are different.

The group have a keen interest in heritage and explore stories that draw parallels between the past and now in how society treats those who are different. ACT are working on their new project, exploring the society and beliefs in 17th Century Puritan Suffolk and the life of the self-proclaimed ‘Witch Finder General’ Matthew Hopkins. During lockdown in 2020, the group have created scripts that explore themes of mental health, disabilities and persecution for being different in both the 17th and 21st century societies. This work is part of a community project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, including plays by The Chainers Youth Theatre and residents at HMP Warren Hill.

ACT meet weekly on Tuesday afternoons and if you are interested in joining and want to find out more, email katy@redrosechain.com

PAULA

A new film created by ACT

In 2019, ACT were commissioned by Suffolk Adults Safeguarding Board to create their “thought provoking & intensely moving” play PAULA, exploring the mental health pressures facing vulnerable adults living independently. The play has now been made into a film funded by Leading Lives which premiered in February 2020. We hope this film raising awareness of the issues with the public, support workers and professionals.