Actors aim to tear up the script for disability on screen

The Huddersfield theatre company, whose core performers all have learning disabilities, was approached by the makers of Channel 4 show Shameless some months ago.

The writers said they wanted its actors to play drinking, swearing, drug dealing ne’er-do-wells – and the company couldn’t have been more delighted.

Used to often stereotypical portrayals of those with learning difficulties on television, Vanessa Brooks, artistic director of Full Body and The Voice, says it is refreshing to see them finally portrayed as real people.

“The point is that the storyline is not about their disabilities, it’s about them as characters,” she says “One of the actors plays a drug dealer – to have that opportunity is fantastic for an actor who historically is part of this ghetto-isation that has happened for learning disabled actors.”

Full Body and The Voice was begun 10 years ago and as a National Portfolio Organisation, it receives core funding from the Arts Council.

It tours its work nationally and has a full-time company of eight actors. The episode of Shameless screened tonight will be a significant landmark in its history, but also an important moment for all actors who happen to be disabled.

“The important thing about our company is that we make theatre work – we don’t make work about being disabled or about people with learning disabilities,” says Vanessa. “That is rarely the case with a character on a television show. Generally, whenever there is a character on any kind of television series, their disability is part of the story, but what is really fantastic about this episode of Shameless is that the fact that these characters are learning disabled is a secondary aspect to them.

“There’s none of the usual problem of being patronised. The actors all play full-rounded, interesting – and often really funny – characters, in the show.”

The Channel 4 drama comedy, created by Paul Abbott, tells the story of Frank Gallagher and his extended family, living on an estate in the north of England. A critical and popular hit since it was first shown in 2004, the programme is now in its eighth series.

The episode going out tonight sees Mickey Maguire, an aggressive, violent man, who attempts to hide the fact that he is gay by being a virulent homophobe, sentenced to community service. When he arrives at the community centre where he is to pay his dues he discovers he has been put in charge of a group of people with learning disabilities.

The episode came about when Vanessa’s long-time friend Lawrence Till, a series producer on Shameless, saw Full Body and The Voice in action and was impressed by their work.

She says: “We had one of those bar chats about the fact that there aren’t any decent parts on TV for learning disabled actors, and we started talking about Shameless doing something around that.”

Regular Shameless writer Ian Kershaw spent time with the company, in its Huddersfield home, before coming up with the script, shot earlier this year, that will be screened tonight.

“I think it has to have an impact, simply the fact that there are eight learning disabled characters in quite an extreme comedy is pioneering,” adds Vanessa. “Lawrence said he knew the minute we talked about the idea that it would be something that would pack a punch.”

Lauren Pearcey, 21, is one of the company members who appears in tonight’s episode.

She said: “I was on set and on location for eight days and it was hard work.

“The first night was a night shoot and we were all outside the Jockey (the pub that forms a pivotal location in Shameless) until two in the morning.

“The Shameless regulars were terrific – they treated us like any other actors and we would have a laugh and a chat in-between takes. They were very polite and friendly and made us feel relaxed enough to do the job well, which is important when you’re acting.

“On the last shoot Jamie McGuire (played by Arron McCusker) gave me a peck on both cheeks. The shoot was hard work but it was a great experience.”

Shameless, featuring the Full Body and the Voice cast, will be screened on Channel 4 tonight at 10.30pm.