'I'm really proud of myself' - star of show featuring adults with additional needs

It is the iconic stage which has hosted top acts from Led Zeppelin to AC/DC to Rory Gallagher.

But on Sunday 140 adults with additional needs will perform a special new show at the Ulster Hall.

Suitcases and Skies brings together adults from across Belfast to sing, dance, and act.

And for 27-year-old Jamiee-Leigh Tweed taking part has been a big boost to her confidence.

"I learn a lot of new things and I like to meet all my new friends," she said.

"I'm very open to that."

She said she had become "actually good" at dancing and singing.

"I'm really proud of myself to do that.

"It's been good about learning new things with other people and meeting new people, it's very inspirational."

Her fellow cast member, 21-year-old Adam Thompson, is also looking forward to the performance.

"I am having so much fun dancing and seeing all my friends," he said.

"I like it."

Adam has also done some of the artwork used as backdrops for the show on stage.

Putting Suitcases and Skies together has involved around six months of work since October 2025, according to director Ciara McGeown from CMAC creative arts and wellbeing.

"Suitcases and Skies is a very special story told by a cast of 140 adults with learning disabilities," she said.

"One of the biggest challenges for this project was probably the logistics."

The cast is made up of groups from north, south, east and west Belfast.

"We had about 35 in each location, so bringing them together to rehearse was part of the magic of the project but also quite challenging."

It was only three weeks ago that the full cast met for the first time.

Suitcases and Skies is part of the Belfast Local Community Action Plan supported by Peaceplus, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body.

MayWe Events have also been involved in putting the performance together, and Romi Said from the organisation said that seeing the cast grow in confidence was one of the most special things about the production.

"What makes this programme so special is that it uses the arts and different genres and forms to art to bring communities together and break down barriers," she said.

"It helps to show not just Belfast or Northern Ireland, but the world, that there is no limit to anyone's abilities."

She said the experience had been "extremely amazing and rewarding".

"So many participants have said to me that they were not confident, that they were shy, before this."

She said the "number one thing" to gain from this show was confidence for the participants.

"At the beginning of the project most of the participants that will be on stage did not want to take part in the drama.

"As the months and days went by they found that confidence."

Suitcases and Skies is staged at the Ulster Hall in Belfast at 19:00 BST on Sunday 17 May.

Tickets are free and there are some still available.