Neurodiverse theatre group to make music video

An inclusive theatre company has plans to record its own music video after obtaining permission from Disney.

Inter Theatre CIC, a company based in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, was set up by Steve Mitchell after he was inspired by his own brother who had learning and physical disabilities.

It now plans to release its own version of the song This Is Me, from The Greatest Showman, on YouTube.

Mitchell said: "We want to take people on a path through music, drama and interaction to a point were people go we need to value each other."

He explained that his hope was for the music video to help put neurodiverse people centre stage and get other people to learn more about what people have to go through.

"Since we set ourselves the project to create a musical video for This Is Me, which just says it all, we now have a number of other choirs who want to be part of the project," Mitchell said.

"So we now have over 200 people that we're busy filming and recording, and putting them into a big collage to show support."

He added: "I think what it really shows is that we all have values, we all have skills and that's the biggest, biggest thing as to why we created this project."

Ruth Walker was born with meningitis which had an impact on her ability to talk. She also uses a wheelchair.

She has been a member of the group since it first started, performing in various musicals and most recently completed her first solo.

"I get worried about when I start that my words won't come out," Walker said.

"It's brought my confidence up because when we did Jesus Christ Superstar, I did a solo and that was the first time, and my speech was fine."

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