Jayne Massey, who is blind and has Neurofibromatosis Type 1, moves confidently across the stage at Liverpool Lighthouse Theatre, singing an emotional duet with co-star Melissa Morton. Small crosses on the stage guide her, a simple but crucial detail that embodies the ethos of Elektric Apple theatre company: giving people the chance to show their true potential.
Founded 14 years ago by Carol Oakley, now 79, the group started when she could not find a drama outlet for her disabled daughter, Leanne. Carol, who ran pubs and had an entertainment background, secured space at the Lighthouse Theatre on Oakfield Road. The name came from a group member who suggested 'Electric Apple', and Carol's grandson drew the logo, spelling 'electric' with a 'k' – a quirk they kept.
Inclusivity in the Arts: A Pressing Need
Research by charity Youth Music last year branded the number of disabled people working in the arts as 'woefully low'. Figures show 9% of the UK arts workforce is disabled, compared to 16% in the wider workforce. Elektric Apple directly addresses this gap.
Carol told the ECHO: 'We always say, "It's not about teaching our guys, it's about teaching you." The cast know what they can do. It's about teaching the audience.'
Professional Standards, Real Impact
Carol's other daughter, Nicola Broadley, a West End-trained professional singer, writes and directs original shows, running the group like a proper theatre production. During the ECHO's visit to a dress rehearsal for You Are My Sunshine, the stage was bathed in sinister red lighting as actor Liam Claeys, 41, who is autistic, rehearsed a scene where he screams 'I'll kill you all.'
Liam told the ECHO: 'Unfortunately there's not many drama groups for people with disabilities anymore. Just because we've got a disability doesn't mean we can't be better than mainstream. I hate that word, "mainstream", because there's people in this drama group now who are better than mainstream.' Liam dreams of appearing on TV.
Nicola said: 'They're all incredible and they don't want to be treated differently from a mainstream actor. It's like working with a West End cast. This is a full on production company.'
Transforming Lives Beyond the Stage
Nicola explained how the group alters stigma: 'It's not about the disability. It's about their ability and their ability is incredible. A blind girl is running across the stage, singing songs, being attacked [in the latest show]. We have a girl with schizophrenia who doesn't hear a voice when she's anywhere near that stage. Those things completely get washed away.'
Jayne Massey said: 'If I wasn't in Elektric Apple, I'd be sitting in my room doing nothing. Elektric Apple shows that disabled people have the ability to act.'
The group, which includes two married couples, has fostered a real community since its founding in 2012. You Are My Sunshine performs tonight at Liverpool Lighthouse. As Carol said: 'Why fit in when you were born to stand out?'
