On Saturday I went to see a “multi-sensory” New Wolsey Theatre production called “Tunnels”. I had no idea what to expect.

When we arrived one of the cast members ushered us through a tiny tunnel and into a small room with chairs in a circle. There was no stage, just an open circle where the cast performed and interacted with the audience. One of the three characters, Lana, then walked through the tunnel with an armful of blankets and handed them to the audience because she said her city was “cold, dark and wet”.

The plot was very simple and it was about Lana trying to “find the light” which had mysteriously disappeared from her own city. The two other characters, Cardini and Manu, take Lana to the land beyond the tunnels, to help her find the light. On their journey they interact with the audience through signing, song, instruments and props that we were all encouraged to smell and to touch.

For example, they brought around a bowl full of seeds, which had a glowing lamp in its base, and we put our hand into the warm seeds to “see and feel the light”. Other multi-sensory props they used were a chocolate smelling water spray, slimy wet gel balls and bendy mirrors that they got us to pull faces into.

I really enjoyed the show and loved the fact that it was aimed at teenagers with learning disabilities, even though our audience was made up of all kinds of people, including babies, small children, grandparents and families. There was something for everyone to enjoy.

Lily Wood, aged 12, Ipswich Academy

Blogs and reviews posted on Ipswich Town and Waterfront are generated by the people who make up the community of Ipswich. If you are passionate about Ipswich and have a great story to share about our town then please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.

Natalie Chaplin