By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
THE Dandenong Ranges Music Council’s (DRMC) Attitude program will be giving the story of Snow White a new twist this July.
‘Snow White and the 7 Amazing Personalities’ is a pantomime-style production that includes people of all abilities.
The DRMC Attitude program has been responding to the community need for arts programs for people with disabilities since 1999.
Off the back of the successful ‘Pirates with Attitude’ production from last year, DRMC Attitude program is this year retelling the classic story of Snow White.
“It’s designed to blur the lines between people with a disability and people without a disability and to make it an entertaining and enjoyable experience for everyone,” said DRMC arts administrator Sue Clisby.
“Essentially it’s the same story line but it’s re-interpreted,” Ms Clisby said.
“We will feature some of the classic songs but we have more contemporary arrangements as well.”
Some of the people with disabilities were given the chance to choose their own personality to portray in the production.
Many picked their favourite celebrities to be their amazing personality with people playing the likes of David Bowie and Olivia Newton-John.
These productions have been made possible with community support through organisations such as the Uniting Church Upwey treasure shop and Yarra Ranges Shire’s MetroAccess program.
“There is a large component of voluntary inclined contributions that enabled the production to go ahead,” Ms Clisby said.
“From the artistic director to the project manager, costume co-ordinator and various people who are carers on the day.
“Without the support staff the productions just wouldn’t happen,” she said.
All are welcome to attend and those requiring wheelchair access need to book in advance.
The production will be held at Burrinja Cultural Centre, in Upwey, on 18 July.
