The North East-based Lawnmowers Theatre Company and Murmur Theatre are proud to announce the first national tour of It’s a Wonderful Us, opening at Northern Stage, Newcastle, on 17 October 2026.
Written and directed by award-winning playwright Steve Gilroy, the new production has been co-created over six years with Lawnmowers performers Andrew McLeod and Andrew Robson.
The ambitious touring production is the result of a long-term collaboration between learning-disabled artists, their families and the creative team. Developed through workshops, interviews and conversations, the play draws directly on personal testimony alongside imaginative storytelling.
As a variety duo attempt to revive their act, they are forced to confront their shared history. What follows is a moving exploration of identity, resilience and the complex bonds between parents and children.
As their act fractures and reforms, a hidden family story emerges—one shaped by love, constraint and the struggle to be heard. Warm, funny and deeply human, It’s a Wonderful Us follows the journey of a learning-disabled protagonist as he finds his voice.
Writer and Director Steve Gilroy said:
“It’s a Wonderful Us has been built slowly and carefully over six years, through interviews, workshops and long conversations with the performers and their families.
“Life changed dramatically for all of us during that time, including periods of serious illness and isolation, but the commitment to telling this story never wavered.
“What emerged is an original piece that speaks honestly about the challenges our protagonist faces, the societal constraints around him and the complexities of family relationships. At its heart, this is a play about what we inherit—and what we choose to leave behind.”
Through its blend of magical realism, comedy and lived experience, It’s a Wonderful Us aims to broaden representation, challenge assumptions and increase the visibility of learning-disabled artists in the North East and across the wider theatre sector.
The tour also forms part of The Lawnmowers Theatre Company’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
Wendy Patterson, General Manager of the Gateshead-based Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company, said:
“As part of our 40th anniversary, The Lawnmowers is proud to present a bold and uplifting new production that shines a spotlight on the extraordinary creativity, passion and professionalism of performers with learning disabilities.
“This work is a powerful reflection of four decades of commitment to inclusion and artistic excellence. It proudly celebrates the vital contribution artists with learning disabilities make to our cultural landscape, challenging outdated perceptions and demanding recognition for voices that are too often overlooked.
“Audiences can expect an inspiring, thought-provoking and deeply moving experience—one that celebrates talent without limits and reaffirms the transformative power of inclusive art.”
It’s a Wonderful Us premieres at Northern Stage in Newcastle upon Tyne on Saturday 17 October 2026, before visiting venues across the UK between October 2026 and May 2027.
2026 tour dates
Saturday 17 October, 7.30pm
Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne
https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/its-a-wonderful-us/
Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October, 7.30pm
Friargate Theatre, York
https://www.ridinglights.org/whatson
Thursday 12 November, 7.30pm
Queen’s Hall, Hexham
https://www.queenshall.co.uk/whats-on/it-s-a-wonderful-us
Thursday 19 November, 7.30pm
Arts Centre Washington
https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/its-a-wonderful-us/
Tuesday 24 November, 7.45pm
Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
https://sjt.uk.com/events/its-a-wonderful-us
Further dates for spring 2027 will be announced later in 2026.
Tickets range from £10 to £16.50, with concessions available from £10 to £15. Prices vary by venue, so audiences should check directly with individual box offices.
Community offers will also be available at venues across the tour. For further information, email steven.blackshaw@lawnmowerstheatre.com.
To find out more about the production and keep up to date with tour announcements, visit:
This project has been made possible thanks to National Lottery funding through Arts Council England.
Press enquiries
Interviews, photography and filming opportunities, high-resolution production images and review tickets are available on request.
Press contact: Steven Blackshaw
Email: steven.blackshaw@lawnmowerstheatre.com