One of the highlights of Sherman Theatre’s 50th birthday year programme will return to the Cardiff theatre - and tour two other venues in Wales - in early 2025.
Housemates by Tim Green, which tells a remarkable story that took place just metres from the Sherman’s doors, captured the hearts of audiences and won huge praise from critics during its original run in 2023 (★★★★★ The Stage, “rip-roaring…. an astounding story, entertainingly and movingly realised”, The Guardian, Best Welsh Theatre of 2023, Wales Arts Review).
The production is now preparing its return to the Sherman Theatre (22 Feb-8 March 2025) before touring to Aberystwyth Arts Centre (27-29 March) and The Torch Theatre, Milford Haven (2-4 April). Further venues are to be announced.
In the 1960s, institutionalised care for many learning disabled people was the norm and went largely unchallenged. Many learning disabled people spent their lives in institutions, rarely seeing or encountering the world outside. But then, in the early 70s, something monumental happened in a Cardiff house, a street away from the Sherman, that became a new model for the way learning disabled people are supported.
Housemates was borne of Tim Green’s short audio play of the same name, which was commissioned by Sherman Theatre for its Heart of Cardiff lockdown series.
This deeply moving play is filled with classic 70s hits played live and is performed by a cast of neurodivergent and neurotypical actor-musicians including members of the Hijinx Academy, one of whom, Gareth John, was nominated for the Best Performer in a Play award in The Stage Debut Awards 2024. Housemates is co-directed by Sherman Artistic Director Joe Murphy and Hijinx Artistic Director Ben Pettitt-Wade.
Several members of the original cast return, including Hijinx actors Gareth John (Meet Fred Hijinx & Blind Summit, Club Supreme Hijinx & Ramshackalicious), Lindsay Spellman (Meet Fred Hijinx & Blind Summit, The Crash Test Hijinx), Matthew Mullins (Rock Cliché, The Crash Test Hijinx) and Richard Newnham (Meet Fred Hijinx & Blind Summit, The Crash Test Hijinx) alongside James Ifan (Tales of the Brothers Grimm, A Christmas Carol Sherman Theatre), Caitlin Lavagna (Operation Julie Theatr na nÓg; Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical), Peter Mooney (Beautiful Curve Theatre/Theatre Royal Bath; Just So Watermill Theatre) and Eveangeleis Tudball (Generation Atrium University of South Wales). This year, they are joined by Emily Ivana Hawkins (A Christmas Carol, O.G. Sherman Theatre).
Innovate Trust, who under the name CUSS were the charity that founded the house, are project partners. Today, Innovate Trust continues to support and empower learning disabled people across south Wales. Sherman Theatre and Hijinx would like to express their gratitude to Innovate Trust for their input into the development of the play.