The magic of Motown!

 

The magic of Motown!

22.1.19

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Back in January, over 280 families with 340 young people with additional needs came together to attend a special Relaxed Performance of Motown The Musical at the Shaftesbury Theatre.  Audience members represented 32 London boroughs and beyond, with one family travelling all the way from Somerset to attend!  It was a truly magical celebration of community and theatregoing.  

We worked closely with the show’s production team and theatre to create a relaxed environment through keeping the house lights lit during the show, reducing the volume of the music and special effects and requesting the script to be less explicit.  We also reduced the tickets prices to ensure they were accessible to those wishing to attend, offering tickets at £3, £6 and £10 for children - £6, £12 and £20 for accompanying adults.  

Whilst the cast eagerly awaited their audience, to introduce the children and families into the world of Motown the Musical, we invited theatre practitioners to run pre-show workshops immersing them in the story, music and themes.  Then, after a short welcome from cast members Natalie Kassanga (Diana Ross) and Jay Perry (Berry Gordy), it was curtain up and on with the show! 

As an extra-special treat, we also arranged a sing-a-long during the performance with the one and only Diana Ross! Diana (played by Natalie Kassanga) led the audience as they sang along to one of the show’s most memorable tracks, Reach Out and Touch: a truly rousing moment that will no doubt be remembered forever!

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We couldn’t have staged such a spectacular event without the hard work, support and talents of the Motown cast and producers, and the staff of Shaftesbury Theatre. Thank you to everyone involved for coming together to make it happen and make a difference to the lives of all those who experienced it.    

Motown Stars
This was the first Relaxed Performance of my career and I have to say it was one of the most special moments I’ve had on stage.

Theatre should be accessible to everyone and getting to witness the joy that music and dance can bring to SEND children was truly a privilege. Thank you Mousetrap Theatre Projects!
— Jay Perry, star of Motown The Musical