Mary and the Matrons
A new musical about an under-explored part of recent British history…
Listen to a demo track here.
It’s the start of the Swinging Sixties. The Beatles are gigging in Hamburg, Harold Macmillan says we’ve have never had it so good…and Dr Mary Sheridan is on an inspection tour of “colonies for defectives”.
Join Dr Mary Sheridan – a child development expert – on her magical mystery tour of “training centres” for Learning Disabled children, the institutions where most Learning Disabled children were sent to live, up until the 1980’s.
A vivid cast of children, nurses and matrons are all recorded in Sheridan’s lively reports, now resting in a buff folder at the National Archives, with the children’s names scrubbed out.
Mary and the Matrons tackles a challenging subject with a playful, progressive treatment, original Sixties-style soundtrack, Makaton-signed choreography, and an integrated cast including learning Disabled performers.
The show is currently in development for the first sharings at Exeter Northcott’s Barnfield venue in autumn 2023.
“This show speaks to an important part of history that shouldn’t be ignored and is ripe for reclaiming by the Learning Disabled community.” – BEAM / Mercury Musicals Development
Mary and the Matrons is supported by Stage One.
Age guide: 12+