Dear Editor,

IT is now six weeks since Cllr Swords Leader of Harlow Council issued a statement which prohibited Razed Roof from using all Council premises and from receiving in kind support from the Council. A decision, which directly effects the wellbeing of approximately 40 adults with without learning disabilities who attended the Razed Roof and Gently Creates groups previously held at The Playhouse.

I thought it might be useful to recall the legacy of Razed Roof in the hope that Councillor Swords might reflect on the enormity of his decision and on what the closure of this Company would mean to our town.

Believe it or not forty years ago – in the 1980’s people with learning disabilities were not particularly welcome at the Playhouse. There were “clubs” but these were not held in the Playhouse and nobody with a learning disability performed in the Playhouse – let alone on the main stage.

Fortunately for Harlow there was some revolutionary work going on by staff at Harlow College, at the Pyenest Centre and by members of the TheatreVan  Company based at the Playhouse who sought to promote Inclusivity and opportunities for people with disabilities to be visible and have a voice.

So, after a lot hard work and persuasion, in 2004 a Community Arts Group originally based at Harlow College under the tutorage of Annette Lidster moved to The Playhouse and Razed Roof was born. Initially they performed in the Studio Theatre, and then moved onto the Main Stage where they regularly attracted audiences of 400 or more. 

Their work has varied hugely, for example from using an adapted script of Billy Elliot – through to a script devised for the company which looked at the science behind Downs Syndrome. (Trisomy 21). They have also devised shows which have highlighted Harlow. “Inform” which looked at Harlow as a  “Sculpture Town” and “Unfolding” which celebrated the Gibberd Garden.

One particular aspect of the work was the way in which they jointly devised projects with secondary school pupils. They also worked with pupils of special schools.  They have provided placements and training opportunities for students from The Central School of Dramatic Art and Essex University . They have also worked with professional script writers who have been keen to learn about the process of devising shows for people with learning disabilities/difficulties and Neuro diversity. In all they have adapted and/or devised over thirty shows.

During the last 25 years the company has had a core group of Razed Roofers, who now have a considerable understanding of performance skills. This group have always been willing to pass on the knowledge to other younger members. There are members who now go out providing workshops in special schools throughout Essex.

In 2017 Razed Roof received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services from Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh. They have received numerous Jack Petchey Awards for their work. And have received funding from The National Lottery and The People’s Health Trust among others.

Up until a six weeks  they were working with staff from Princess Alexandra Hospital, devising their next show Well, Well, Well – a show which would have looked access to Health Care for people with and without disabilities. 

Their shows are always informative, poignant, moving, humorous and uplifting. 

So, this is a brief record of the Razed Roof Company. You can see far more about Razed Roof on their Facebook site and these are the reasons why it would be such a tragic loss to the town if Razed Roof were to be inadvertently closed down. 

So please let’s get Razed Roof back to The Playhouse where they belong as a resident company! 

Cllr Tony Edwards

For transparency I was for a number of years Chair of Razed Roof Trustees. I am no longer a Trustee but support them whenever I can by visiting the group and attending their performances.