Masina Returning Home - For People With PMLD

Our exciting and unique new theatre work, ‘Masina Returning Home’ has been devised for audience members with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). We have been extremely fortunate to collaborate with Frozen Light Theatre from the UK, who are specialists in this type of work, to develop this show.

Using words, song, music and dance Masina Returning Home weaves a beautiful story of exploration, dreams and discovery. Multi sensory props and one to one sensory experiences are a key part of the technique to bring theatre to our audience members, their support person and whanau. We have researched how people with PMLD experience and understand the world and have applied this knowledge to devise the show.

We only have six people with PMLD attend each show along with their support person and/or whanau members in order that we can meet their needs and that the person this show has been made for can engage and enjoy the experience. All our audience members are individuals and will engage with the show in different ways, by limiting our audience to a small number we can ensure our performance meets their individual needs as well as providing an entertaining theatre show for everyone in the room.

Do you experience the world via smell, taste, touch, vision or hearing? Our sensory experiences work with all 5 senses and also the addition of propioception - the sense of the body in space, where the body is placed. Our sensory moments support the narrative of the story, taking us on a journey of discovery from Masina's home in Mangere to the ancient lands of Samoa.

Please note that all our audience members will be welcomed into the theatre space in a relaxed, supportive and safe manner. We understand completely that our audience members may make involuntary movements or make noise to communicate their feelings or feel the need to move around the theatre, or leave the space and return as they feel the need and we are totally on board with all of these things. Each audience member must be accompanied by a support person but extra whanau members are most welcome to attend as well to share the experience. If there is a ticket price for the show then this is only for the primary audience member, everyone is welcomed at no charge.

This type of multi-sensory and interactive theatre, made specifically for young people and adults with PMLD, is the first of it's kind in NZ, if you have had no luck with prior theatre experiences for the person you care for or support, if you have not found anything that meets their needs, then we urge you to experience this.

Everyone who has experienced this show before has left the theatre with joy in their hearts and a love of this kind of very special theatre performance. This is our gift to you and we look forward to welcoming you.

These performances take place in the PAC - (Performing Arts Centre) at Albany Jnr High School.
Made by Touch Compass in collaboration with Frozen Light Theatre.

Directed by: Laughton Kora
Starring Lusi Faiva, Katrina George and Sam Jones.