Creative journeys involving adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities: Co-development in multi-sensory theatre

Background: The last decade has seen developments in collaborative multi-sensory theatre and dramatic performance involving individuals with profound and multiple learning disabilities. The current study investigated co-development processes used by a multi-sensory theatre company that employed four artists with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Methods: A qualitative approach was adopted, involving preliminary observations and in-depth interviews with ten individuals who performed different roles in the company. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Findings: Three themes emerged, centring around concepts of interactional ‘space’: the space between (how meanings were co-constructed); the space around (how the dramatic narrative was coproduced); the space beyond (how collaboration occurred in the live multi-sensory show). A fourth theme, the journey, connected all the spaces in a process of learning and changing, enjoyment, having a voice and developing the narrative. Conclusions: Through participating in co-creative processes of artistic development, people with profound and multiple learning disabilities can share their expertise and contribute to the sensory theatrical shows as artists in their own right.