Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Students of the Randolph Lopez School of Hope embrace director Pierre Lemaire of 'Dare to be Different' at the Philip Sherlock Centre on Sunday. - Photos by Nathaniel Stewart

It was all smiles of joy from the 'special' performers and the audience at Dare to be Different at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts, on Sunday.

Before the start of the hour-long show, persons affiliated with the Randolph Lopez School of Hope lauded the students for their efforts. They noted that this occasion was history in the making and demonstrates that every child can learn regardless of his or her disabilities.

The cast comprised past and present students of the Randolph Lopez School of Hope. These performers have been diagnosed with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities, which means that they have difficulties when performing certain day-to-day tasks.

Cameo appearance

The presentation, which was directed by Pierre Lemaire, started with actor Michael 'String Bean' Nicholson in his cameo appearance. He was the narrator of the play in which everybody was the same. All dressed in grey overalls, they woke up at the same time and did the same job every day. They also worked together on the same bus, which was in the form of a rope around them and a licence plate at the front and back. They even went to church and followed each other.

This was their routine until they were sprinkled with some 'difference dust' that made them come alive. Everyone was dressed in bright colours and outfitted with shining jewellery. Immediately, they started dancing to I Want a Revival to which they did folk and other dances that were perfect in their own way.

Groovy mood

On the following morning, they woke up to the same music but when they entered the bus, this time, it was lively as they grooved to General Trees' Inna Di Bus.

Despite their inability to remember lines, several actors were quite versed on the 'Willie Bounce'. After this, they went to work and on this occasion the boss did not complain as she used to do.

Their lives were now different and many became artistic. One of the performers also got theopportunity to display his drum- playing skills for a longer than planned time. There was even an artist and a chemist.

To end the show, they danced to David Rudder's Give Praise. Members of the audience were them invited onstage and everyone danced as balloons fell from the ceiling.

It was quite a refreshing experience to watch the show and one which makes one grateful.

The joy and love from the performers filled the room and spread to those who were present. The performers' efforts were heart-warming, so their more advanced presentation next year should also be a decent one.