Housemates by Tim Green, which tells a remarkable story that took place just metres from the Sherman’s doors, captured the hearts of audiences and won huge praise from critics during its original run in 2023.
The production is now preparing its return to the Sherman Theatre (22 Feb – 8 Mar 2025) before touring to Aberystwyth Arts Centre (27-29 March) and The Torch Theatre, Milford Haven (2-4 April). Further venues are to be announced.
In the 1960s, institutionalised care for many learning disabled people was the norm and went largely unchallenged. Many learning disabled people spent their lives in institutions, rarely seeing or encountering the world outside. But then, in the early 70s, something monumental happened in a Cardiff house, a street away from the Sherman, that became a new model for the way learning disabled people are supported.
This deeply moving play is filled with classic 70s hits played live and is performed by a cast of neurodivergent and neurotypical actor-musicians including members of Hijinx Theatre, one of whom, Gareth John, was nominated for the Best Performer in a Play award in The Stage Debut Awards 2024. Housemates is co-directed by Sherman Artistic Director Joe Murphy and Hijinx Artistic Director Ben Pettitt-Wade.
Almost all of the original cast return, including Hijinx actors Gareth John (Meet Fred Hijinx & Blind Summit, Club Supreme Hijinx & Ramshackalicious), Lindsay Spellman (Meet Fred Hijinx & Blind Summit, The Crash Test Hijinx), Matthew Mullins (Rock Cliché, The Crash Test Hijinx) and Richard Newnham (Meet Fred Hijinx & Blind Summit, The Crash Test Hijinx) alongside James Ifan (Tales of the Brothers Grimm, A Christmas Carol (2021) Sherman Theatre), Caitlin Lavagna (Operation Julie Theatr na nÓg; Fisherman’s Friends: The Musical), Peter Mooney (Peter Pan Sherman Theatre / Theatr Iolo; Beautiful Curve Theatre/Theatre Royal Bath) and Eveangeleis Tudball (Writer Talk to me Spectacle Theatre; Performer Pirates of the Odyssey Inn Hijinx Odyssey). This year, they are joined by Emily Ivana Hawkins (A Christmas Carol, O.G. Prince of Wales Sherman Theatre).
Innovate Trust, who under the name CUSS were the charity that founded the house, are project partners. Today, Innovate Trust continues to support and empower learning disabled people across south Wales.
Sherman Theatre & Hijinx present
Housemates
by Tim Green
supported by funding from Arts Council of Wales
Co-directors Joe Murphy & Ben Pettitt-Wade
Designer Carl Davies
Lighting Designer Rachel Mortimer
Arranger & Sound Designer Tic Ashfield
Musical Director James Ifan
Sound Engineer Chris Laurich
Cast: Gareth John, Lindsay Spellman, Matthew Mullins, Richard Newnham, Emily Ivana Hawkins, James Ifan, Caitlin Lavagna, Peter Mooney and Eveangeleis Tudball
22 February-8 March 2025
Sherman Theatre
Senghennydd Road
Cardiff CF24 4YE
27-29 March 2025
Aberystwyth Arts Centre
Aberystwyth University
Penglais Campus
Aberystwyth SY23 3DE
2-4 April 2025
The Torch Theatre
St Peter’s Road
Milford Haven SA73 2BU
Sherman Theatre
Imagine a world made more equitable, more compassionate, more unified by the power of theatre. We are driven to achieve this vision every day. We do this by creating and curating shared live theatre experiences that inspire people from all backgrounds across South Wales to make a better world, in their own way. We believe that access to creativity and self-expression is a right and we constantly strive to ensure everyone has the opportunity to be enriched by the art of theatre.
Our focus on the development and production of new writing and on nurturing Welsh and Wales-based artists makes us the engine room of Welsh theatre. We tell Welsh stories with global resonance through our Made at Sherman productions, created under our roof right here in the heart of Cardiff. We’re a place for everyone, generating opportunities for the citizens of South Wales to connect with theatre through inspiring and visionary engagement.
Hijinx is one of Europe’s leading inclusive theatre companies, striving for equal representation and equity on stage, on screen and in life for learning disabled and/or autistic people, locally, nationally, and internationally for Wales and for the world. The company’s acclaimed work is original, surprising, edgy and funny and in huge demand across the globe, with productions including Meet Fred, The Flop and Into the Light travelling to over 20 countries in recent years.
Around Wales Hijinx Academies provide professional drama training for over 50 uniquely talented actors with learning disabilities and/or autism. Hijinx Actors are at the heart of the company’s work: their theatre and film productions and the communications training Hijinx offers businesses. Hijinx Actors are promoted to the wider theatre, TV and film industries on www.hijinxactors.co.uk, the UK’s largest casting platform dedicated to actors with learning disabilities and/or autism. Also, Hijinx PAWB offers a Wales-wide network of community drama courses for everyone who wants to act, regardless of ability or experience. For the latest Hijinx news and updates, see the website: www.hijinx.org.uk.
Innovate Trust, formerly known as Cardiff Universities Social Services (C.U.S.S) is a large supported living charity in South Wales formed from a Student Volunteering project at Cardiff University in 1967. Innovate Trust were the first charity in the UK to set up a supported living home. Innovate Trust continues to strive for new ways to support individuals and ensure they have freedom, choice, dignity, and control over their lives. Everything we do focuses on new and innovative ways to deliver person- centred support.
