Dark Horse Theatre heads to a dystopian future to ask what happens when we turn 21

Leading learning-disabled theatre company, Dark Horse Theatre, has just completed a major tour with dystopian stage show #Unit21.

Set in a future world, #Unit21 challenges and parodies the set of social rules thrust upon us when we become an adult, a universal issue told from the learningdisability perspective. Featuring an ensemble of nine actors with learning disabilities and the voices of award-winning comedians Iain Stirling and Amy Webber, the show sees the character Ally celebrating her 21st birthday. But the night descends into a haze of expectations versus reality.

“When Dark Horse celebrated its 21st birthday four years ago, #Unit21 developed out of explorations around what happens when a person turns 21,” explains director Amy Cunningham.

“What are the expectations?

What are the rules?”

The cast spent months interviewing adults and young people from the learning-disabled community and beyond, using this research to inspire the development of the show and the live polling that audiences can access on their mobile phones.

The priority of #Unit21 is to display a new and progressive form of theatre that uses animation to make concepts more accessible to people with learning disabilities, whilst also creating stunning visuals.

KtoA Magazine spoke with Amy Cunningham the Creative Director at Dark Horse to find out more about the theatre company and how to get involved:

What is Dark Horse?

Dark Horse is a theatre company based in Huddersfield made up of nine professionally trained actors who have learning disabilities. The company tours bold and visually impactful theatres and produces high-quality digital content that can be watched from anywhere in the world. Dark Horse also offers a fantastic actor training programme for adults with learning disabilities who want to have a career in theatre, TV and film.

Why was Dark Horse created?

Dark Horse’s mission is for people with learning disabilities to have equal opportunities to train and work in live, digital and recorded art. The company actors, students and staff work hard to find and create representation and opportunities on our stages and screens for people with learning disabilities.

What is your position within the company and what does it involve?

I am the creative director, which means I work with the company actors to decide what we make and how we make it. All of Dark Horse’s work is co-created by the nine actor/theatremakers in the company, myself and any other creative collaborators e.g. movement directors. I also work with our student director to support the student ensemble with their training and to make their shows!

What do people gain from training at Dark Horse?

Actor training at Dark Horse is modelled on a drama school curriculum. You will gain and improve skills in movement, voicework, acting for the camera, performance building and more. Actor training has other benefits too with many transferable skills like communication, focus and higher levels of fitness being a happy side effect. People who train with Dark Horse usually end up being more independent, happier and confident too!

Have you ever aspired to become an actor?

Here are Amy’s top three tips:

- Practice your skills! Go on the Dark Horse YouTube channel where you’ll find hundreds of accessible tutorials. Actors work incredibly hard so if it’s possible try to keep fit and healthy.

- Go to the theatre and watch different films/TV! You can learn a lot by observing other actors.

- Learn more about acting and training at Dark Horse Theatre Company: https://www.darkhorsetheatre.co.uk/

As part of #Unit21, Dark Horse has released a series of short films on YouTube. The series experiences of higher education, creating change for the next generation of students with disabilities, and finding a new career path through their advocacy work