By Adam Spartley

THE award-winning performance group ‘Razed Roof’ is preparing for another successful year after an amazing 2017.

A new play titled ‘T21’ is in production with the help of Bafta-nominated playwright Judith Johnson, who has written more than 20 plays and is now a patron of Razed Roof.

Trisomy 21 is more commonly known as Downs Syndrome, and with Razed Roof offering opportunities to many people living with learning difficulties, it seemed fitting that their next play would deal with the issue of living with ‘T21’.

Clifford Ellis, one of Razed Roof’s performers who himself has Down Syndrome, said, ‘The play is about Downs Syndrome and other learning difficulties, and about having a child with learning difficulties. The rehearsals are going well so far, and we already have dates for Harlow Playhouse, and we are hoping to take the show to Lakeside as well’.

Holding 2018 calendars of their previous show ‘Unfolding’, the three were on the streets of Harlow for Charity Day

These ambitions seem easily attainable considering the success of 2017, which saw the company win the coveted Queens Award for Voluntary Service, and also stage a successful run of ‘Unfolding’, a play about Harlow founder Frederick Gibberd and Harlow’s Gibberd Gardens.

“When we heard about ‘Harlow is 70’ early last year, we couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the town than to honour the jewel of Harlow, The Gibberd Gardens” said Artistic Director Annette Lidster, one of the representatives for Razed Roof.

‘The play was amazing, and the promenade performance that was held within the Gardens was just magical.’

With the opening of T21 just a few months away, the cast and crew are confident it will be a huge success.

‘We hope Judith writes with us forever, she is incredible.’ said Annette,

‘And we are so thankful for the people who support us because the Queens Award for Voluntary Service was about them. The hundreds of people who support our small community group, and we wouldn’t be what we are today without them.’

T21 will be performed at Harlow Playhouse on May 10th at 2 pm and 7.30pm.

For more information about Razed Roof including how to donate or volunteer, please visit their website http://www.razedroof.btik.com/