Plays

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Don't Look Down

OVERVIEW

  • Playwright

    Marie Jones (1) 

  • Setting

    Set amongst an ancient South African Tribe.

  • Notes

    Notes in company files state that this play is suitable for anyone over the age of seven. It was devised specially for students with physical disabilities and/or moderate learning difficulties. The play uses music, masks and movement. It was later revived in 1993 for another tour to primary schools, hospitals and theatres, when it was promoted as addressing ‘issues of confidence, disability and self-belief for able-bodied and disabled people’.

  • Synopsis

    Don't Look Down tells the story of Zonkey, Nettle and Sparrow. The three have been cast out from the tribe because they lack certain skills necessary for survival. Guided by the Condor, they set off to find the Great God who can cure them of their imperfections. The play uses masks and music to tell the story of how, in the course of their adventures, they learn more about themselves and how to change the society they live in. Told as a simple parable, the play examines issues which affect the lives of young people with a physical or learning disability.

  • Play Type

    Theatre for Young Audiences

    Number Of Acts

    Full-Length

  • Cast size

  • Male

    3

  • Female

    2

  • Total

    5

  • Cast Notes

    Cast members also play a range of other characters.

Original Production

  • Date of First Production

    19 May 1992

  • Producer

    Produced by Replay Theatre Company

  • Venue Notes

    This play was first performed at St. Gerard's Educational Resource Centre, Belfast, as part of a tour to schools and venues.

Original Cast  
Condor Sean Kearns
Zorida Debra Salem
Sparrow James Convey
Nettle Sheelagh O'Kane
Zonkey Christopher Glover
Production Team  
Director Brenda Winter
Designer Frank Quinn
Costumes Brigid Erin Bates
Costumes Naomi Conway
Choreographer Deborah Hamilton
Composer Debra Salem
Director's Assistant Stephen Wright
Stage Manager Thomas Marshall
Set Construction Thomas Marshall
Poster Designer David Craig
Secretary Irene Swift
Education Officer Frank Quinn
Floor cloth Trish McCartney
Dramatherapist Genevieve Smyth

Rights Information

Source Of Information

The information for this entry was taken from the original production programme. Additional information was supplied by Replay Productions from information contained in the company files.