BRADFORD-BASED Mind the Gap - one of Europe’s largest theatre companies for people with disabilities - is to stage a huge outdoor production in London.

The show, called Zara, will incorporate live performance and streaming from a cast of hundreds, large-scale puppeteering and a giant ‘baby’. A huge-impact piece of outdoor theatre that has been five years in the making, it brings together an international team of directors, choreographers, producers, designers, technicians, puppeteers, musicians and actors.

The company, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, has employed four interns to work on the show, Zara, which explores complex issues of learning disabled parenthood. There are four performances - two in Southwark, outside the Imperial War Museum, and two at Piece Hall in Halifax in spring, 2019. Each of the interns - assistant producer, assistant director, researcher and creative engagement facilitator - has a learning disability. This is the first time Mind the Gap has employed learning disabled workers in wider roles other than performing.

Assistant producer Paul Wilshaw said: “I have worked in theatre for 20 years. I’ve been lucky enough to secure funding and grants, but it’s not easy for people with learning disabilities. Mind the Gap challenges this. I’m delighted to be working with the team on this exciting project.”

Jordan Freud, assistant director on Zara, said: “Since my diagnosis with Asperger’s Syndrome aged eight my dream has been to tell stories that wouldn’t otherwise be told. I’m excited by Zara and I’m particularly looking forward to assisting in the devising process with writers and actors to develop our mix of film with live, outdoor performance.”

Mind the Gap has launched a project called Staging Change, focusing on getting people with learning disabilities employed in the arts. The programme - aiming to increase the visibility of learning disabled people in the wider arts sector, offer skills development opportunities and challenge accessibility issues - is supported by Mind the Gap’s Arts Council England NPO funding and Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. The company is helping theatres around the UK to work with learning disabled artists.

“As a result of working with us, Leeds Playhouse has adapted its audition process for learning disabled artists,” said Mind the Gap Associate Producer Deborah Dickinson. “And one of our resident artists has a role in their production, Be My Baby.”