“The performance was beyond expectation, amazing!” these were the words of Dario D’Ambrosi, the Director of the Italian based, Teatro Patologico Production, at the end of an exceptional performance of William Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus by his production team featuring our residents.

The performance took place at The Market Theatre on Sunday 30 September after Mr D’Ambrosi and his cast spent a week practising with our residents at Elvira Rota Village in Bapsfontain.

LITTLE EDEN is the first organisation in South Africa and on the African continent to have collaborated with Teatro Patologico.  Annelet Prinsloo, our music therapist, who spent time with the residents as they were being prepared for this showstopper said “Being part of an international theatre production, the residents are experiencing a feeling of inclusion and belonging. Being able to take part in a theatre production and performing at the Market Theatre will provide an aspect of accomplishment and the feeling of being “able” instead of the label “disabled” that they have been carrying around for their entire lives.”

The Consul General of Italy in Johannesburg, Mr Marco Petacco, said he has been tirelessly working to get the Teatro Patologico Production on the African continent for over a year and what they have been able to achieve has surpassed expectation.