Side By Side have constantly pushed back boundaries and challenged the perception of learning disability by winning many awards over the years at open competitive festivals with our unique productions.
Among our many achievements are – being chosen by the ‘British Federation of Festivals’ to represent the Dudley Borough at the ‘Millennium National Festival of Performing Arts’ in November 2000. Winning both ‘Best Play’ and the ‘Overall Winner’s Trophy’ at Worcestershire Theatre Festival in 2002, taking us on to the ‘Divisional Finals’ of the ‘All England Theatre Festival and winning ‘Best Musical’ in the ‘Fringe Report Awards’ for Fringe Festival performers in 2008.
The Group have performed to great acclaim in many places throughout the UK., including several times at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Llandrindod Wales, Brighton Fringe Festival and Motala in Sweden and at the Fringe Festival in Prague
- · To give people with learning disabilities the opportunity to explore through
theatre and the performing arts, a means of self expression and communication.
- · To enable members of the group to develop and extend their abilities to achieve a
sense of self worth and to reach their potential.
- · To work to professional standards to provide entertainment of a high quality.
- · To help show that performances by people with learning disabilities have
relevance and entertainment value for the general public.
Side by Side Theatre Company evolved from the Learning For Life Drama
Course at Stourbridge College in the West Midlands.
We were formed in 1997, with funding from ‘Arts For Everyone’, which enabled us to put on a public performance and take our production out into the community.
A message from our Patron, Michael Collie
Side by Side are pure gems… and if you have not seen them before, you are in for a treat.
Under the guidance and direction of Sue Wallin, these young people have found a new voice through drama – and that has to be one of the greatest achievements of this group.
Whether rehearsing or performing they always bring the same energy, fun and focus to their work. Without a doubt, I am proud to be associated with them. Long may their many successes continue
I first became aware of the Side by Side Theatre Company a few years ago when they were performing at a charity concert given by The Gentleman Songsters, a local male voice choir. Since then, it has been an honour for me to become involved with the wonderful people in the group, at rehearsals, shows and special events. It has been tremendous to see them develop as a group and as individuals, and to see them take on increasingly ambitious projects.
The professionalism of the company is impressive. The actors are used to performing in many different places, both in the Midlands and further afield – and this brings challenges of its own. They have grown used to adapting what they do to suit stages of different sizes and shapes in theatre’s, concert halls, schools and churches.
Michael Collie - TV Presenter
