British dramatist Edward Bond’s Chair is a dystopian play set in the future, at a time when life has become a new version of Auschwitz and a simple chair can change the course of many lives. The play, which The Guardian describes as “strangely hypnotic”, tells the story of Billie, an autistic young woman, and her caretaker Alice, who knowingly breaks the law by taking in the girl. Alice manages to keep Billie’s existence secret – until the day she offers a chair to an elderly prisoner outside her flat.
Playing the part of Billie is Ann-Marie Buckle who, like the play’s character, is on the autism spectrum and has ADHD. She is, in fact, the first autistic actor to be taking on the role. “I feel really good about this role because I want to show everyone that autistic people and ADHD people can act,” Buckle shares. “Being an autistic person with ADHD, I can understand Billie's situation better than anyone else. I think that when there are roles for neurodivergent people, first preference should be given to actors on the spectrum.”
Professor Elena Tanti Burlo, senior lecturer at the Department for Inclusion and Access to Learning at the University of Malta, was unsurprised at the news that Buckle had secured herself the role. “I was elated but not surprised to learn that Ann-Marie would be interpreting the role of Billie,” she confesses. “She has worked for this since she was little. While it is true that she is privileged to have been born in an artistically stimulating and caring family, she has worked hard for this, embracing who she is from a very young age.”
Prof. Tanti Burlo has been advocating for neurodiverse children for years, even introducing subjects like Inclusive Theatre and Inclusion through the Arts at the University of Malta. She is optimistic about the strides that have been made in the inclusivity of theatre and schools. “Drama groups that focus on neurodiverse participants have also been set up, with Opening Doors probably being the best known,” she says. “Things are improving internationally as well. We have just witnessed James Martin become the first actor with Down Syndrome to star in an Oscar-winning film.”
However, Buckle feels that theatre still doesn’t give enough opportunities to neurodiverse people and to those with disabilities. “This is mostly because of the fear that they might make a bad impression with the audience,” says the young actor. “Also, many theatre directors, casting people and producers do not know how to help neurodiverse and disabled people like myself because of a lack of acceptance, patience and knowledge on how to interact with them. There is awareness, but not acceptance of people with these conditions.”
Apart from having a neurodivergent person as one of its main characters, Chair also shines a light on the risks humanity faces if it doesn’t give true inclusivity its due importance. “The audience will see where the world is heading if humanity continues to be self-centred and not wanting to accept diversity,” Buckle reveals.
Prof. Tanti Burlo agrees, adding that this play offers the perfect opportunity to deliver a strong message about society’s efforts to annihilate diversity. “Chair depicts a society without compassion. Having Ann-Marie play this role not only gives her the opportunity to show us her acting skills, but it also urges us to reflect on the discrepancy between our talk about inclusion and the segregation that is still at play in many aspects of life,” she concludes.
This project is supported by Arts Council Malta.
Adrian Buckle and the Malta School for Drama and Dance presents Edward Bond’s ‘Chair’ on 21, 22, 28, 29 April at 8pm and on 23, 30 April at 7pm, at Spazju Kreattiv Main Theatre, Valletta. This performance is suitable for audience members aged 16 and over. Tickets are available online at https://www.kreattivita.org/en/event/chair/2023-04-21/