Walter Now - A play about independent living
The Saturday Play on Radio 4 is Walter Now. This radio play tells the story of Walter, played by , a character with learning disabilities, who has been through the psychiatric care system. Now a pensioner, he hears of a house share with three other people with learning disabilities. But with Walter being more than twice their age, the play asks: will he be accepted? And will he cope with independent-living?
The play also stars Edmund Davies and Anna-Marie Heslop, actors with learning disabilities from the Theatre Company.
For those Ouch'ers old enough to remember, the play sees Ian McKellen reprising the role of Walter after 26 years, first seen in a controversial film shown on the in 1982.
Back to the present, Walter Now is on Radio 4 this Saturday at 2:30pm. You can also catch it for the following 7 days using the link on the programme page.
Comment number 1.
At 10th Jan 2009, libbydb wrote:Absolutely an amazing play - had me laughing, crying, being sad, angry
I work with clients with Challenging behaviour but have worked with the people like Walter etc - and they are extra special people
So well written and divinely acted - so realistic - in my experience - thank you all for giving me the pleasure and thought provoking hour
Libby
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Comment number 2.
At 12th Jan 2009, Mhadaidh wrote:With attitudes like the above we are never going to get the equality that we are striving for
People with learning disabilities are people, they are not 'extra-special people'
All disabled people are people , none of us are 'extra-special'
the only exceptions are those who would be equally 'extra-special' if they did not have their impairments
Selfless volunteers in the community for example -
or someone who risks their life to save another .
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