A show originally conceived by me but taken to incredible heights by Tenterhooks and the remarkable ensemble.
MESS is an intimate, sensory theatrical production created specifically for young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and complex needs.
MESS was totally redesigned and reimagined during the Covid-19 pandemic. We took it outside into school gardens, inside through open windows, and adapted every tactile interaction to maintain safety while preserving intimacy and profound emotional connection.
Overcoming tactile distance was a challenging hurdle, but we found ways with ribbons, resonant acoustic instruments, mirrors, and bespoke scent dispensers to reach our audiences deeply.
The resulting laughter, stillness, and deep focus from young people was one of the most rewarding performance experiences of my career.
