Life’s a Fairy Tale

The Trust encourages the creativity and confidence of young people with cognitive disabilities with professionally led regular workshops throughout the year. Composer Deirdre Gribbin and Theatre Director Lou Stein’s methods challenge preconceptions about disability and gives voice to young people from usually excluded communities providing a platform for them to express their creativity through music, poetry, and theatre. The impact of the work is evidenced through the extraordinary vision of their songs and narratives.

Venus Blazing Music Trust

www.venusblazingmusictheatre.com

@venusblazing

Deirdre is an internationally recognised composer, whose work has been described as 'astonishingly accomplished' and 'pure magic' (The Times) Almeida/Aldeburgh produced opera Hey Persephone!. Deirdre is Professor in composition at the Royal College of Music and Trinity Laban. She is in demand from international commissioning bodies and as an educator. She recently wrote a song-cycle based on the poems of her son Ethan, who has Down Syndrome, which premiered in Dubin by the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Her new album Kindersang will be released on Firsthand Records, November 2026.

Lou Stein is an award-winning London based theatre Director/Writer who has recently been Artistic Director of Chickenshed, an inclusive theatre company. In 2021, Lou won a Special Award from the Off-West End Award panel (Offies) for his contribution to promoting high quality inclusive theatre within the London theatre community.

Lou founded the Gate Theatre, Notting Hill and its sister theatre, the Gate at the Latchmere, Battersea (now Theatre 503), now recognised as two of the most influential theatres in the UK.