St Joseph’s multicoloured musical

Students from St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre and Pield Heath Catholic Special School in Hillingdon will star in their version of the West End hit Joseph and the Technical Colour Dreamcoat. As part of a new course the two organisations got together to form a theatre production company. They then produced, directed and acted in a musical performance of their chosen West End show, selecting the songs and writing their own script. They made costumes and painted their own scenery. They will be the actors and musicians working with support from professional actors and musicians from Suffolk based Pro Corda.

The course took place over six weeks and culminates on Tuesday 25 June in a performance to showcase the youngsters’ talent and to show to others what they have achieved.

This course gives those with learning disabilities the opportunity to work in the field of West End theatre with professionals that they would not normally have access to. The aims of the course are to encourage expression via the arts to those who find self- expression difficult. It will build self-esteem and confidence and encourage relationships and friendship with others that do not have a disability, transcending their world of disability.

The joint programme also introduces teenagers at Pield Heath School to the transition stage between school and the world outside, which for many people with learning disabilities is not a rosy one; these youngsters face uncertainty, unemployment and deprivation. St Joseph’s however offers hope in the form of an Activities Centre and Outreach service with a wide range of courses to fit all abilities, for learning and life experience, in a safe, loving environment. Courses include vocational, life skills, leisure and person centred packages and Outreach which fully integrates people in the life of their community and their church.


For more information about St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre see: www.stjoseph.org.uk

Learn about Pro Corda here: www.procorda.com/index.php?pid=1