Stage Beyond is a theatre company for young adults with learning disabilities. The company is made up of members from throughout the North West who already have shown a keen interest in drama. These actors research, devise and tour shows as well as providing accompanying workshops. Based in the Millennium Forum, the company offers the opportunity to explore issues significant to the learning disabled community and present these as theatre pieces and open workshops to the general community.

The company offers theatre training in many art forms, including; dance, voice, physical theatre, music, set design, stage management, lighting directing, facilitation skills and script writing. These take the form of masterclasses with practitioners from throughout the UK.  

This year we are delighted to welcome two new facilitators. Margaret Carlin will be delivering our outreach programme and Kate Guelke will be directing Rashomon, our major production for 2016. 

Joining the company again is local screenwriter Ronan Carr (Life is but a Meme), who will be adapting Akira Kurasawa's classic film specifically for Stage Beyond. 

A 13th Century Japanese story of murder and mystery, Rashomon will draw on elements of Kabuki and Noh theatre in an all-inclusive East Asian spectacular. A production that involves Stage Beyond's core membership as well as Stage Beyond's many outreach groups, Rashomon will combine acting, dancing, singing and traditional Taiko drumming - a veritable feast for the eyes and ears! 

Rashomon will debut at the Millennium Forum on the 28th of May before touring to Belfast.

 Our programme this year will be busy, varied, exciting and challenging! You can follow our progress on Twitter (@stagebeyond) and on Facebook!