Mother of four autistic sons shows off programme for All in a Row play.
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A mother to four autistic boys is praising a controversial new play about autism at Southwark Theatre amid a heated online debate.
The play, called All In A Row All in a Row focusses on a non-verbal autistic 11-year-old called Laurence.
It has come under criticism for using a puppet to play Laurence.
“I think the play is fantastic”
Sarah Ziegel lives in Richmond with her four autistic sons.
When she saw the play she said: “I think the play is fantastic for informing people of an accurate portrayal of how an autistic child is”.
Ms Ziegel’s four sons use therapy cats to help manage their autism.
I just found it harrowing to watch. I totally lost it at the end, I broke down because I know people whose autism is that severe.”
But others are angry at the company’s decision to use a puppet. Some autistic people and organisations who have deemed its use insensitive. Over 9000 people signed a petition to try and prevent the play opening.
“It shows there’s no sensitivity”
Sixteen-year-old Siena Castellon, an award-winning autism activist, was one of them. She felt the play was ‘dehumanising’ towards autistic people.
“It shows there’s no sensitivity. You can see that with when they consulted the National Autistic Society. The Society said, ‘you shouldn’t portray them as a upper in this manor’ and they completely ignored those views”.
Some autistic twitter users think All in a Row’s casting of a puppet to play an autistic boy could trigger a movement.
All in a Row follows 11-year-old Laurence’s final night living with his parents before he is moved into residential care.
It’s creators are defending the play saying they did not mean any offence.
The production plays at Southwark Theatre until 9th March 2019.
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HeadlineMother of four autistic boys praises contentious autism play amid heated debate
Short HeadlineAutistic boys’ mother hails controversial play as ‘excellent’
StandfirstCritics are angry over the use of a puppet playing the role of an autistic boy.
A mother to four autistic boys is praising a controversial new play about autism at Southwark Theatre amid a heated online debate.
The play, called All In A Row All in a Row focusses on a non-verbal autistic 11-year-old called Laurence.
It has come under criticism for using a puppet to play Laurence.
“I think the play is fantastic”
Sarah Ziegel lives in Richmond with her four autistic sons.
When she saw the play she said: “I think the play is fantastic for informing people of an accurate portrayal of how an autistic child is”.
Ms Ziegel’s four sons use therapy cats to help manage their autism.
I just found it harrowing to watch. I totally lost it at the end, I broke down because I know people whose autism is that severe.”
But others are angry at the company’s decision to use a puppet. Some autistic people and organisations who have deemed its use insensitive. Over 9000 people signed a petition to try and prevent the play opening.
“It shows there’s no sensitivity”
Sixteen-year-old Siena Castellon, an award-winning autism activist, was one of them. She felt the play was ‘dehumanising’ towards autistic people.
“It shows there’s no sensitivity. You can see that with when they consulted the National Autistic Society. The Society said, ‘you shouldn’t portray them as a upper in this manor’ and they completely ignored those views”.
Some autistic twitter users think All in a Row’s casting of a puppet to play an autistic boy could trigger a movement.
All in a Row follows 11-year-old Laurence’s final night living with his parents before he is moved into residential care.
It’s creators are defending the play saying they did not mean any offence.
The production plays at Southwark Theatre until 9th March 2019.
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