On the 13th May, people with aphasia from the UCL Communication Clinic performed scenes from an opera ‘Speak Red’ at the Cockpit Theatre. The opera has been co-produced through a series of workshops led by librettist Finn Beames and composer Santa Buss (http://www.oedipa.org/about-2/).

Together, the group explored how opera can be a tool for expression, demonstrating that people with aphasia can direct all stages of the creative process.

The opera is based on the story of Ruby Mcdonough. Ruby is a living American woman who has aphasia. By fighting discrimination, she changed the way the law works in the USA. The group told her story from their own perspectives, and shared their own experiences too.

There were afternoon and evening performances, and the team received feedback on this work-in-progress from the audience and through a Q&A session.

The pictures below are © Claire Shovelton – thanks.