A huge congratulations to Love4Life members who put on a performance of a lifetime last week in their incredible production of The Wizard of Oz, after only eight weeks of rehearsals!
Love4Life is our friendship and dating project that offers a lifeline for autistic people and people with learning disabilities. It’s a place where they can get support and advice as well as making friends and potentially find love.
We caught up with Hayley, Love4Life manager and cast members Grace, who played Dorothy and Peter, who played the Tin Man, as they prepared for the show.
Love4Life members chose the Wizard of Oz because we liked the message of friendship which is what Love4Life is all about. With friends by your side, you really can achieve anything.Hayley
“The production not only gives Love4Life members the opportunity to be part of a big show in front of a live audience, most of them for the first time, but also a sense of being part of something really special. What they have been able to achieve in 8 short weeks has been breathtaking! They have learned a range of skills not just singing and acting , but also team building and self confidence. Seeing how their self confidence has improved as we have rehearsed has been incredible.”
The dreams you dare to dream really do come true.
I would be bored and lonely without Love4Life. I have made lots of friends and it builds up my confidence. I have always wanted to play Dorothy. If I can do it so can anyone.
Peter told us: “It’s my first time being an actor and if I keep this up I might go on television one day. I’ve really enjoyed it, if my grandparents would have been here they would have been so proud of me. I dedicate it to them.”
Next year Love4Life plan to perform two shows – one in the summer and one in the winter, so make sure you watch out for that!
Watch the highlights as Love4Life members rehearse and perform The Wizard of Oz:
