Up Down Big Man is the perfect play for the reopening of The Salisbury Playhouse smaller theatre venue space Salberg Theatre and is the third play about Matty’s life, which have previously both been performed here.
The first play Up Down Boy in 2012 was based on Matty preparing leave home for college. Written by Sue Shields (with support from Catherine Johnson), the plays have been inspired by the life of performer Nathan Bessell, who has Down syndrome and plays the role of Matty in each production.
The second production Up Down Man premiered in 2016. Matty’s mum has died in the play, and life is changing for him. The family asks questions around. Who will look after him? What support does he now need? And where should he live?
Up Down Big Man is set on moving day from the old family home. His brother in law Liam (Tom England) has been left in charge of organising the final boxes and taking Matty to his new home. With his sister, Liam, and their four daughters.
However, Matty isn’t about to make Liam’s life easy as they start taking the sorted boxes out to his van. Matty is easily distracted by the memories. Some of the packed items evoke, and he is not impressed with his mums box of clothes heading to the charity shop.
The play is full of love and memories but also encompasses moving onto his next chapter. These changes aren’t easy, but he has the support and love of his family around him.
The play also spends time highlighting the charity Mencap where Matty regularly attends. It gives him a great chance to socialise. The people there teach him important life skills and open up the idea to him that he can make decisions for himself and start to understand money. Which has found him making him some questionable purchases.
Up Down Big Man is also about educating people on the outside to see people with disabilities as strong individuals who still want to live a similar life to others and have very strong characters. If you are in the area, please do go and watch this heartwarming production.
For more information about Up Down Big Man and future productions at Salisbury Playhouse and Salburg Theatre, please use the link below.
Four Stars.
Photo credit Craig Fuller.
CAST
Nathan Bessell
Heather Williams
Tom Brennan
Tom England
Rieko Kijima.
Backstory information.
Following the critical success of Up Down Boy (2012) and Up Down Man (2016) this standalone production is the third in a trilogy of plays inspired by the life story of the gifted and charismatic performer Nathan Bessell.
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