1. Where did you get this idea from?
After working with people on their case loads Cathi and Anne found that a number of people wanted to be involved in drama activities. They originally set the group up as an acting exercise in therapy group. However, after realising that members of the group wanted to perform in mainstream theatres they decided to start live performances
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2. How do you choose the scripts?
The majority of the scripts are developed from the company's original experiences and issues that continue to affect their lives. However, in their last major production they used - Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' - to highlight the barriers and difficulties in choosing and sustaining loving relationships – the production was entitled Romeo & Juliet – a question of choice! It was performed to sell-out audiences on all nights at the Lowry Theatre, Salford!
3. When was your first big performance? With which play?
In 1998 we did a play called Phantasmagoria – Terrifying Takes.
4. What is the most challenging side of being part of Celebrity Pig? And what would you say is the most rewarding side of it?
The most challenging side is having to learn the scripts and getting funding for productions. And the most rewarding bit is being treated as an actor and the buzz when the audience is clapping!
5. How many members does Celebrity Pig have?
15 with 9 more waiting to be inducted during 2009
6. How do you cast Celebrity Pig members? Are there any specific requirements to join?
In the past we have asked actors which part they would like and if they felt they could do it but now we may have to audition our actors for the next major production. We also try to match roles to the personality and abilities of the actors. Our actors also gain so much from being integrated with more professional actors.
7. I read that Christopher Eccleston is Celebrity Pig's Patron. Can you tell me a little bit of how this relationship started and how it has grown through the years?
The BBC phoned Cathi and asked if they could come and meet us at one of our workshops. They wanted to cast two actors, a lady and a gentleman with learning disabilities to play the part of Chris Eccleston's character, Joe's Mum and Dad. Dorothy Cockin was picked from our company.
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Dorothy and Cathi met Chris and he was very interested to hear about the company. He came to meet us and agreed to become our patron. Over the years he has visited us and performed alongside us in a supporting role in two of our productions, 'Hidden Voices' and 'Romeo and Juliet'. Chris also comes to photography sessions for our publicity material. In February of 2008 Chris narrated and appeared in our BBC1 documentary on the Inside Out programme. We always enjoy his visits and we love working with him and we have also been to see him perform on stage in Leeds..
8. What are the plans you have for the future with the company?
To gain charitable status, perform more major issued based productions, attract other professional actors, get a new artistic director to help Cathi, get more volunteers and try and get more opportunities for TV work. Also we would like a professional script writer to work with us and get our play on TV!
9. What's the next play you are preparing?
We have not begun to develop a play yet as we have been busy performing our issued based production – 'IB or not IB' at conferences around the North West. We will be starting to write a new script in 2009 – it will be another issued-based production. We are hoping that more professional actors from theatre, television and the big screen will join us again so that we can have our premiere towards the end of 2009.
10. What does it mean for you to be part of Celebrity Pig?
Everything; fun, being on stage, being with friends, being on TV, dreams coming true.....
11. Is there any message you would like to pass onto our readers?
Drama is for everyone it makes you feel so good about yourself....through theatre peoples life stories can be told, in a positive way, to people who do not know what it is like to be learning disabled.
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