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Inclusive theatre group to perform iconic show

Sian Filcher
BBC Midlands Today
BBC A large group of people cheering, one in a wheelchair, one crouched on one knee and the rest standing, are all smiling with one arm raised in the air. There is a large set of black curtains behind them.BBC
Members of Inter Theatre CIC will be performing Jesus Christ Superstar

A theatre group in Stoke-on-Trent that works with disabled and learning-disabled adults is taking on its biggest challenge yet.

Inter Theatre, a community interest company (CIC), which has been running since 2012, will perform a nearly two-hour long performance of Jesus Christ Superstar.

The musical includes 25 songs, and their lead actor, Lewis O'Connor, who is neurodiverse, will perform in 14 of those.

Steve Mitchell, founder of the group, said: "It's a bit of a landmark to say the least. It kind of sets a place really, and it's one of those iconic shows that everyone knows of."

A man with shoulder length curly hair wears blue jeans and a blue T-shirt with a logo on it, stands in a theatre rehearsal with his arms outstretched in front of black curtains. There are some people sat sporadically in front of him.
Lewis O'Connor is playing the lead of Jesus Christ

"I think they [the members] realise that, for them, it's their moment and that's big."

Steve founded the group after growing up with his brother who had disabilities.

He said: "I wanted to do something that had an impact, I've got a degree in music and a love for film and theatre. I thought 'how can I bring these things together?'

"We make assumptions about people, the way they look, the way they act.

"We assume things about them, and what we're very keen on is to get people on stage and say 'hey, actually you can't judge a book by its cover'."

Inter Theatre CIC A woman with long auburn hair wears a green knee-length skirt and has her arms in the air. She sits alongside audience members who also have their arms extended during a theatre performance.Inter Theatre CIC
The group performed for Princess Beatrice in 2015

Ruth Walker, who has been in the group from the start said: "I've got a speech problem and the singing is good for it. When I'm singing, I don't stutter".

Another member, Thomas Cooper-Adds, said: "It's boosted my confidence and I've got loads of friends."

Nicole Hassall, who's performing some solos in this year's show said: "I love it. When I miss a day I get disappointed.

"Last year I missed five weeks of it because I wasn't very well and I hated every second of not coming. I was devastated."

The group will be performing Jesus Christ Superstar at Stoke Minster on 9 April.

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