Being part of Mind the Gap makes me happy, it gets people with learning disabilities involved in stuff they might not get to do.
- Zara Mallinson, Acting Company
Past Shows and Reviews
Stig of the Dump
"Go see this – it will inspire and excite and leave you with a lump in your throat" Kevin Berry, The Stage
An enchanting tale of a unique friendship: Stig wears rabbit-skins, has his own language and uses empty tin cans for a chimney. Barney has scuffed shoes, grazed knees and dirty fingernails. Join them on their magical adventure as puppetry and performance turn rubbish into reality, scrap into scenery and make garbage gorgeous!
Of Mice & Men (2011)
"Watch and marvel, that is if you can get a ticket."
For the 2011 production we retuned to the original (and we think best) three hand version.
George and Lennie are drifters who have only each other and their shared search for the American Dream. George is the sharp little guy who looks out for Lennie. Lennie is his big-hearted companion who, unaware of his own strength, seems unable to keep out of trouble.
Boo (2009)
"A landmark production" - The Stage Ever wondered what it's like to get away with murder? Inspired by the character of Boo Radley, the strange yet familiar, frightening yet friendly character from To Kill a Miockingbird. Mind the Gap asks what happens if, like Boo, you don't fit in. Set in a modern estate, two children are fascinated and terrified by the 'bogeyman' they can't see. Creative and morally challenging, this show took audiences on a journey exploring difference, prejudice and justice.
I'm with Stupid (2008)
The cheers and whistles at the end brought the house down... a really uplifting occasion" - Annie Lloyd, Director, Gallery and Studio Theatre (LMU)Giant chickens took over Leeds Metropolitan University in March 2008, turning the tables to conduct pointedly pointless experiments into the nature and art of stupidity, Is it catching? Is there a cure? Is it Art?
On the Verge (2006)
Easy to recommend a show as good as this” - Andrew Smaje, Bath Theatre Royal One man’s American Dream was to ride across America on a Harley, talking to the people he met along the way about freedom in the land of the free. This engaging one-man show has been performed from Canada to China and lots of places in between, to rave reviews.
Phoenix (2006)
Mind the Gap worked with professional actors, acting students and local people with learning disabilities in Bradford and in Croydon to create this engaging large-scale site-specific performance about finding a new future in an industrial past.
Of Mice and Men (2005, 2000)
"Powerful, daring and extremely moving" - The Stage These critically acclaimed productions, which sold out two tours, launched the company firmly into the mainstream of touring theatre. For the first time a learning disabled actor played the part of Lenny in this famous story of two drifters dreaming the American Dream.
Cyrano (2004)
"Another remarkable offering from Mind the Gap" - The Stage
A heartwrenching story of friendship and unrequited love saw Mind the Gap examine the wonder of words and how beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
Icarus (2004)
"A real flight of fancy" - Telegraph & Argus (Bradford)
A lighthearted reworking of the Greek legend, set in Bradford and told by a group of street cleaners, with a large chorus of Outreach project participants.
The Emperor’s New Clothes (2003)
"Imaginative and thoroughly entertaining" - Telegraph & Argus (Bradford)
Mind the Gap transformed City Hall and Centenary square in Bradford into the Emperor’s wondrous palace. Audiences followed the fashion-conscious Emperor round his dressing room, bedroom and out into his public parade… it was extremely revealing, and full of surprises!
Don Quixote (2003)
"One of the best productions I have seen for a long time and one not to be missed" - The Evening Chronicle (Newcastle)
This production substituted a mountain bike for the original horse of Cervates’ classic story, and household items for armour (think colanders and dustbin lids…). It’s a story of how society’s attitudes towards difference can change, and challenges the idea of what ‘normal’ actually is.
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Pygmalion (2002)
"A neatly potted Pygmalion" - Bernard Shaw's Estate Advisor
Mind the Gap was granted rare permission to adapt and perform this classic, looking at stepping outside your class. We kept Shaw’s central focus of class being defined by appearance and accent, to ask whether you can enter a new world by changing something about yourself? What happens when you get there? Can you go back? Do you belong?
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (2001)
"This outstanding cast - learning difficulties or not - display a remarkable freedom from difficulties of any kind" - Disability Times
Taking this familiar tale of murder, death, disease, pain and persecution might not seem like the most joyous night out… but this adaptation was noted for its wit, satirical humour and refreshing cheekiness. Telling the story from the servants’ points of view, this production makes Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde less "black and white" and much more "shades of grey".
The Pied Piper (2001)
"Spectacular" - Telegraph & Argus (Bradford)Bold and exciting promenade performances saw audiences following the Piper as he led them round Bradford’s City Hall like the children central to this