Gay, Disabled, Transexual Love Story Heads to Southport.
30th October 2008
A play that won rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe is heading to Southport. The play, 'A (Gay Disabled Transexual) Love Story Told to a Ticket Inspector at Alton Towers' is showing as part of Sefton's Diversity Week. The performance of this highly acclaimed play will take place at Studio Southport Art Centre on Tuesday the 4th of November.
The play is based on a true story and was inspired by an incident that happened to it's Producer - Robert Softley - when he and his partner decided to visit Alton Towers. The pair were refused entry to the famous theme park because they are disabled. The couple were told that because they were not being accompanied by an able-bodied person, it would be against the park's policy to allow them on to any rides.
The couple remained at the park’s gates for three hours, arguing their case. They highlighted the disparity between the UK and the USA, where they had visited theme parks without any problems. Eventually park management allowed the couple entry.
Upon returning home, the couple contacted the Disability Rights Commission who supported their case, and Stephen Keyworth (the play's writer) had the seed for an excellent story, which highlights the discrimination that disabled people have to face.
‘A (Gay Disabled Transexual) Love Story Told to a Ticket Inspector at Alton Towers’ will tell the story of an (anything but) average couple as they show that, given their life experiences, they don’t need a carer to visit a theme park.
After the performance of the play, Robert himself will be facilitating a workshop to discuss issues raised by the play (2pm - 4pm).
Tickets are free and are available on a strictly first come first served basis.
Source: The Lesbian & Gay Foundation