Skyzdalimit ‘devastated’ to cancel show due to venue closure

AN Omagh theatre group for people with learning disabilities has described being ‘disappointed’ that they have had to cancel their show in Derry due to the venue being closed down.

Skyzdalimit were ‘excited’ and ‘geared up’ to perform in the Waterside Theatre, but the North West venue is now due to close in June due to ‘lack of funding’.

Sheena McCooey, chairperson of the 40-member group said that the news was devastating.

“We are very, very disappointed,” she said. “The cast were so excited and geared up for performing in the North West for the first time, performing to a new audience and at a new venue.

“However, we realise these things happen. There are significant cuts across the board in funding in all areas, especially the arts.

“There’s a significant cost of living crisis and it’s sad to think that many staff at the Waterside will be out of work, and that the Waterside area has lost a major theatre and social hub.

“We can always return to Derry at another time and we’ll have that to look forward to. Thankfully, our cast are very resilient and will now put all their energies into performing at the Strule Arts Centre in June.”

‘Hope for the future’

Skydalimit founder, Pearse McCloskey said that, despite the setback, there is still ‘hope for the future’.

“The reason we tour our shows is to inspire and help local groups to set up diverse musical theatre groups to offer life transforming performance opportunities to the neuro-diverse communities,” he said.

“We are currently assisting three groups – one in Derry City and two in Donegal – to get set up.

“They had seen video clips of some of our shows on our social media posts promoting our Derry show, and they contacted us to see if we could help them get their own musical theatre groups get set up.

“So, it’s nice to think that we’ve already had a positive impact in the North West, even though we won’t get to put on our show there. It’s bittersweet, really.”

• Skyzdalimit will perform their new musical production, ‘Love Me Love Me Not’, inspired by High School Musical, at the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, on Friday, June 21 and Saturday, June 22. Tickets are available at the Box Office, by telephone or online.