Hijinx theatre actors will head to Europe for the first time since the pandemic started
Actors at Cardiff-based Hijinx theatre company are preparing to take their show, Meet Fred on a French tour. This will be the first time they have travelled to Europe since the beginning of the pandemic.
However, due to Covid-19 the company has had to take extra steps to make the production possible.
Senior producer Ellis Wrightbrook said alongside testing and isolating, there are “vast amounts” of paperwork that must be completed.
Regardless, Hijinx actors are keen to be back on stage, so nothing will stand in their way. The theatre company, which includes actors with disabilities, will be heading off to France in January.
“The show is an illustration of the lack of social mobility of disability. Fred is a puppet, prevented from doing what he wants with his life because of both physical and societal constraints,” director Ben Pettitt-Wade said.
Ben said the actors have already faced “so many challenges” with proving society wrong about their disabilities. So, a couple of coronavirus tests won’t stop them from showing off their talent.
Meet Fred began its tour in October after being postponed in 2020, but is now taking a two-month break before starting its run again on 11 January, 2022.
Currently, Hijinx are working on their Christmas show, Pinocchio, which will run from 2-4 December.
Pinocchio isn’t in the form of a wooden puppet in Hijinx’s show. Image credit: Hijinx Theatre
The Christmas show will take place in the Millennium Centre and staff are being cautious of coronavirus.
The performance is made up of 30 actors, with 15 of them joining virtually on screens behind the stage, in order to abide by social distancing.
The first performance will also be to a reduced capacity.
Nia Morgan, a cast member of Pinocchio said: “Hijinx have ensured that we’ve been kept safe during rehearsals and filming. It’s been an absolute joy to be back.”
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The golden rules of Hijinx according to executive producer, Sarah Horner:
- To boost artists confidence
- To help artists embrace their creative side
- To encourage artists to smile often
- To help artists own their independence