Upcoming King Lear for neurodivergent artists
Next year our company of young autistic adults will co-create a new production of Shakespeare's King Lear.
This will be our fifth specialised production uniquely created with autistic people to be performed with the neurodiverse community around the world. It is an urgently needed project, meeting the need for a high quality cultural activity for a marginalised community of autistic people, who without us, are excluded from participating in the Creative Arts. We are currently seeking funds to support us.
"There are, in all honesty, no other creative activities available which demonstrate a similar understanding of and concern for autistic young people; so Flute Theatre is the only space in which they are fully able to express themselves and to grow as empathetic, open and creative human beings".
"Flute Theatre has created a community where no other exists for my son and others like him.
Ollie has been attending Flute Theatre for 10 years now. He is 23 and profoundly autistic, learning disabled and language impaired. This impacts and isolates the whole family and Flute is our one respite outside his educational setting. He thoroughly enjoys it and makes remarkable and lasting progress with each interactive session. We all enjoy being part of the Flute family. Ollie and I took part recently in the Course teaching the Hunter heartbeat method. He is familiar with the four current Shakespeare plays and would very much enjoy being part of the creative process of adapting King Lear for him, his actor friends and fellow students.
Flute theatre can benefit all autistic individuals of any age but it is those who are most profoundly affected that benefit most and I am hopeful that, despite scarce availability of funding, Flute will be able to continue to thrive, innovate and provide magic for my son and others like him, far and wide".
—Ollie playing in 2021
"Flute provides Tim with a safe space where he feels he not only thoroughly belongs but is celebrated and cherished for who he is.
I cannot begin to describe how valuable and desperately needed a project like this could be for our youngsters. Now that Tim has just turned 27 (!!) it feels like this would be a very natural progression for him, giving him a sense of maturing and transitioning to a new, more adult/collaborative way of experiencing Flute. As you know, the cliff edge is very real after EHCPs end at 25, and like other families we have spent the past couple of years scratching our heads and meeting 'no' after 'no' as we have looked for meaningful avenues for Tim to fill his days. Currently he attends a day centre 6-7 days per week, which while valuable doesn't offer him the stimulation or opportunities for peer-appropriate social interaction and creativity which he thrives on. It seems that not only education, but the majority of supported arts and sports projects have a cut off at 25, which is incredibly tough for carers, families and young autistic adults alike who are used to a structured week. For someone as sparky and energetic as Tim, despite his massive challenges, it simply feels wrong that he should have no other options but to attend a day centre 5/6 days per week. We continue to seek part-time volunteer opportunities for whichTim needs 1-1 support, but these are thin on the ground.
I could go at length about the massively positive impact Flute has had (and continues to have) on Tim and how much he loves coming, but the things others comment on the most are his increased focus, confidence, calm and ability to interact appropriately after the sessions. Flute has also provided him with a ready-made friendship group, a source of appropriate conversation with family members and friends, and a safe space where he feels he not only thoroughly belongs but is celebrated and cherished for who he is. There is simply nowhere else that offers him that".
—Tim at Flute Theatre in 2021
Our autistic community of young adult co-creators have very limited functional speech and are mostly unable to hold two-way conversation. They always require at least 1:1 supervision. They only have their parents to speak for them.
"Hari and Amba have been involved with Flute Theatre for many years now, and it has proved transformative for both of them.
There are, in all honesty, no other creative activities available which demonstrate a similar understanding of and concern for autistic young people; so Flute Theatre is the only space in which they are fully able to express themselves and to grow as empathetic, open and creative human beings. This is invaluable. Their personal growth through Flute’s work has impacted on their wider lives, helping them to contribute more fully to educational and community activities, and to be more at ease with other people.
Since leaving education, Hari’s opportunities for creative interactions and productive activities has declined significantly. He is not employable in a conventional sense, but that does not mean that he cannot contribute meaningfully and powerfully to working processes that are run with his needs in mind. The opportunity to be fully involved in the development of the next Flute project would mean the world to him: making him feel valued, creative and fully alive. I know he would also be immensely valuable to the rehearsals: his recent playful and energetic engagement with the performance of The Tempest showed just how artistically valuable he is, and how able to move a theatre process into new and unexpected areas. It would be a brilliant opportunity for him, and for the organisation".
—Hari with Kelly Hunter in 2023
"For young adults like Gabriel, there is nothing remotely comparable with what Flute has to offer, and it has become essential to his well-being.
I am the parent of an autistic adult, Gabriel. He is an extraordinary young man with profound and complex needs, and also with his own exceptional talents and abilities. Gabriel is highly creative artistically and musically, and finds fulfilment and great joy in the arts of performance. For more than a decade, Flute Theatre has been at the centre of his creative life, and the company’s unique approach to Shakespeare is deeply attuned to his way of being in the world. I am also a Professor of Theatre with expertise in Shakespeare and performance, and I see in Flute’s work a playfulness and generosity of spirit that understands the encounter between Shakespeare and autism as mutually enriching and transformative. Gabriel’s participation in Flute’s King Lear project represents the latest stage in a shared lifelong journey".
Professor Robert Shaughnessy, Father of Gabriel
—Gabriel with Flute Theatre in 2022, Brighton
"When Natalie is with your group, she is a different person, her face brightened and happy. She can express herself and sing. Unfortunately, we don't have anything similar nearby, so I am going to bring my daughter all the way to London for the Flute Theatre.
Thank you, thank you, Thank you for all you and your team efforts to continue making us and our children happy and achieving more.
Natalie is always happy and running to any of the Flute programs. Of course Natalie would like to join and I will do my best to bring her over. I wouldn't mind driving if I knew in advance I would be able to organise my time. For Natalie she will be able to attend Tuesdays to Saturdays and as much as there is available. Our drive is just about 47 miles one way.
We have never found something like Flute nearby. Natalie loves every show, every movement and every song
Everyday, Natalie checks on your website or social media if there is something new coming up, she has all hopes that you will start soon again.
We both are looking forward to your next Theatre".
Salwa
Natalie's mother
—Natalie playing with Flute Theatre, 2025, Riverside Studios
"If you are able to get this amazing funding and set this up, I would work at Jack coming 1-2 or even 3 days a week between myself and a carer.
As Jack has finished education where opportunities for artistic outlets were provided we have noticed a significant gap of provision in art, theatre and music tailored for individuals with autism. Jack has always thrived in creative environments, especially with the Flute Theatre, who have profoundly impacted his social skills and overall well being. Unfortunately, as he transitions into the adult world of day care centres and supported work opportunities we are finding less opportunities are available for creative outlets which would normally make such a difference and bring great pleasure to him. We continue to live in hope that the work of the Flute Theatre may continue as they make it so easy for Jack to access and have brought a great sense of inclusivity that we have not seen anywhere else!"
Michelle, mother of Jack
—Jack with Flute Theatre in 2025 at Kelly Hunter's book launch
"By using his experiences with Flute Theatre Harry has become passionate about supporting other people with disabilities to attend and participate in drama groups and plays.
Harry is autistic and has learning difficulties. He has always had a great love for performing arts. His passion has been fostered and developed through his attendance at a variety of funded groups such as Flute, which has contributed to him developing his coordination for movement. Additionally, it has enabled him to learn how to listen and work alongside and with others to create a cohesive performance. It has introduced him to Shakespeare, and he now loves to attend performances of these plays, often being able to retell the story of what he has seen and talk about the types of characters and the plots".
Iain, Father of Harry
—Harry at Riverside Studios 2024
"You see how this world goes.
I see it feelingly."
King Lear Act 4 sc 6
