Drama Llamas take a trip down the rabbit hole

THE participants at Torquay’s All Aboard DisaABILITY Support Service are gearing up for a performance of Alice in Wonderland.

All Aboard’s inclusive performing arts group, the Drama Llamas, is behind the performance, which is based on the classic novel turned movie.

Adding its own spin to the beloved tale, the group has taken small pieces of the story and written the script themselves.

All Aboard co-founder Kate Marshall said the theatre group has been working on the show for the past 10 weeks, and everybody has played a role.

“Everybody is involved with choosing the production, writing the script, creating the props, creating the costumes, and then rehearsing the lines and the dance scenes in the show,” she said.

For the participants, Ms Marshall said, the benefits of the performance extend beyond what people see on the stage.

“It’s a phenomenal space for them to showcase their talents, invite their families and friends in and just really show what skills they’ve developed and what they’ve achieved during the rehearsals.

“It’s not just the show, it’s the connections they’ve made with others and the teamwork and the collaboration, the patience, tolerance, confidence building…there’s so many aspects and benefits of the performing arts program.”

Along with some quirky humour mixed into the show, the All Aboard team is looking forward to sitting back and watching.

 

“It’s different every time we see it and it’s always fun,” Ms Marshall said.

“We’re always very proud at the end to see the guys and…their absolute joy at the end of it, to take that bow and beam out across the audience.”

The Drama Llamas put on a performance at the disability support service each quarter, helping to raise funds to keep the organisation sustainable.

This show will — for the first time — involve the use of lapel microphones, purchased with the help of a grant from the Surf Coast Shire.

The microphones will help those on stage who struggle to project their voice, allowing audience members to hear them more clearly.

Alice and her friends will take to the stage on Thursday, October 2 for two performances.

Tickets are available at the door, with the first performance taking place at 10am, including coffee and café treats, for $20, and $10 for the second performance at 4pm.