For immediate release: 5th March 2004
Media contact: For Yarrow contact Ben Knox
T 020 8241 6500
M 07816 190 992
E ben@upwardcurve.co.uk.

FROM ‘LOVE ACTUALLY’ TO ‘DUMPED THE MUSICAL’

Bill Nighy & The Moment By Moment Theatre Company Come To The Arts Education School 15th - 17th April 2004

Bill Nighy with Moment by Moment Theatre Company actors Darren and Lloyd

The award-winning star of Love Actually, Bill Nighy, has lent his acting talents to a new musical being staged by the learning disabilities theatre company Moment by Moment – which is run and funded by the charity Yarrow.

Called ‘Dumped the Musical’, this romantic comedy centres round the trials of Silas, a young farmer who loses his heart to a fickle milkmaid. After the affections of his true love are stolen by the evil villain Faisal, the heartbroken Silas tries to forget his loss through drink and general debauchery.

Rescued from his despair by the wise spirit of the street, Silas sets out on an epic adventure - disguised as the racing driver Carlos Viagra - to win back his milkmaid’s heart. His journey brings him into contact with Bill Nighy, who plays the ‘compromised’ President of the United States, as well as Donal MacIntyre who plays a spoof undercover reporter called Doughnut MacIntosh.

Bill Nighy pre-recorded his contribution, which appears as a projection during the show; Donal MacIntyre is appearing in person every night during the play’s run.

This is the fourth year that the Moment by Moment Theatre Company has put on its annual show at the Arts Education School in Chiswick. The acting company was set up by the charity Yarrow in 2001 to help build the confidence, speech, coordination and social skills of people with learning disabilities, as well as to provide literacy and employment training.

The group has over 50 members, including Yarrow service users, staff and people from the local community, who all help to design and build sets, and act in the group’s productions. Several members of the group have honed their acting skills and are now hoping to turn professional.

Commenting on his role in the musical, Bill Nighy said: “Considering that I have just played a rock star with a fondness for debauchery and am now playing a President with a fondness for photocopiers, I can say there is little danger of me being type cast.

“The last show put on by Yarrow’s service users was brilliant and so I was delighted when they asked me to take part in their newest production. Not only are the members of the cast very good actors but I think the Moment by Moment group can also help to educate us all.

“The public have a lot of misconceptions about people with learning disabilities which seeing ‘Dumped’ will blow away. It will make you realise that, just because someone has a disability, this doesn’t prevent them from being as talented as the next person.”

‘Dumped the Musical’ was written and directed by the actor and activity manager Adam Koronka. The production will run at the Arts Education School, Cone Ripman House, 14 Bath Road, Chiswick London W4 from the 15th – 17th of April 2004. Doors open at 6.45pm. Tickets are priced at £8 (£6 concessions) and are available from Yarrow Tel 020 8735 4600. To make a donation towards the work of Yarrow and the Moment by Moment group, please call 020 8735 4600 or email info@yarrowhousing.org.uk