A Trilogy That Matters To Us All

Image above: The Construct (2025) – Fig Kershaw – Photographer:  Nic Mollison

At professional Adelaide theatre company, No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability (No Strings), innate ability shines from every one of its productions as disabled performers reach for the stars. Former Stage Whispers SA Correspondent, Lesley Reed, now a Director on the No Strings Board, tells how the company will celebrate those fine performers in early December with an immersive film trilogy.

Proudly working exclusively with disabled performers to produce world-class theatre, and recently nominated for a prestigious Ruby Award, South Australian professional theatre company, No Strings Attached Theatre of Disability (No Strings) commits to excellence and innovation in every production, including engaging the company’s disabled performers at full professional rates for mainstage production seasons.

On December 3^rd No Strings will showcase a special treat for audiences, the ‘Grand finale’ third film in the trilogy My Stories Matter. The screening coincides with the 2025 International Day of People with Disability and embodies the theme of this year’s day: ‘fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.’ The first two films have already been shown in Perth (WA), Algarve, Lisbon, Vila Real (Portugal), and Berlin (Germany) to wide acclaim and will also follow the third film in the upcoming screening.

This image and the two which follow are from the film project My Stories Matter – Grande Finale – Photographer: Ethan Dandy

As in the previous films in the trilogy, the Paulo Castro ‘Grand Finale’ film, which premieres on December 3^rd at The Regal Theatre, Kensington Park, will highlight individual performers who make No Strings magic happen on stage. All three Paulo Castro films have been programmed for further screenings in Australia and in Europe from 2026.

The trilogy’s original concept, by No Strings CEO, Dr Kari Seeley, was to capture the individual stories of No Strings actors. No Strings’ Artistic Director, Paulo Castro, has extended that idea and through industry collaborations, supported these performers to share their own stories through a series of monologues. These blend fact and fiction, reality and aspiration. Some of the actors’ thoughts are scattered throughout this article.

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Fig Kershaw – “It’s hard to find disabled people out in the wild, even though we’re not rare, but to be in a room with people like you is exciting to me.”

Jeshua Paterson- “I’m here because I’m an actor. I have trouble speaking, especially talking to other people, but when I’m acting, I’m confident with talking.”

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“My Stories Matter is a trilogy of fictional documentaries in the style of Swedish film maker, Roy Andersson,” said Paulo Castro. “Through one long unbroken shot, the audience watches and listens to a monologue from a person who may not often feel heard, seen, or that their story even matters. In the background, extras act and interact in surprising and often hilarious ways.”

Castro went on to say, “The trilogy truly empowers its storytellers and believes them to be strong enough to tell their own stories. Their stories do matter, and this project provides the platform and means by which they can share them. They challenge stereotypes as they step into being the change they wish to see in the world. The highest production values have been used. Extraordinary care has been taken with the post-production work as well; with colouring, grading, and audio.”

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Kathryn Hall -“I love the way my brain works …No Strings has absolutely been a great support for my professional career.”

Paddy Firster- “Apparently I don’t have my own opinion about things”

Rachel High- “No Strings expands my career as an actor.”

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No Strings creates exceptional work. “The company has produced award-winning productions that have toured nationally and internationally,” Dr Seeley said. “We engage professional practising artists who collaborate with disabled performers to create groundbreaking work, like SAME-SAME, which was recognised as ‘the first of its kind in the world’ (Samela Harris).”

Dr Seeley added, “When performers engage with No Strings, they experience transformation both on and off stage. They gain confidence, professional skills, and meaningful paid employment in their chosen field. They build lasting friendships and community connections that combat isolation. They develop transferable skills like communication, teamwork, and self-expression that enhance other areas of life. Most importantly, they receive recognition for their artistic contributions and change audience perceptions about the capabilities of people living with disability. Our workshop programs, where talent and experimentation meet, develop life skills while creating pathways to professional performance opportunities. Through collaborative co-design that reflects lived experience, we challenge perceptions about disability in the arts and transform lives through theatrical excellence.”

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Duncan Luke- “I love acting, I think I’ll be doing it for the rest of my life”

Ryan Rowland- “I feel like I’m right at home, like I get to express my inner feelings…I struggle with my acceptance of having a disability”

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Tim Hodgson from House of Spaghetti, who is the filmmaker for the My Stories Matter trilogy, said,  

“From a filmmaker’s perspective, it's wonderful to see actors who are more used to being on stage, being offered a unique experience to be on screen - learning the process, on set etiquette and the difference in performing to a camera. Learning this skill set is vital to the performer's continued growth as an actor, and we see vast improvements even in one day of filming.”

South Australian filmmaker, Christopher Houghton has said: “We need to hear the diversity, humour, tragedy, and honesty that only people who live with disability every day can offer. It is not enough to facilitate others telling their story. We need to hear their stories, through their words, stories and faces.”

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Sidney Debba – “Basically, as an actor, my goal is to get on stage. But what I really love about No Strings is forming new ideas and making a film… It’s about understanding people, especially the way they talk and feel. Expressing yourself… I’ve come to know myself… I’ve become my achievements”

Kobi Taylor – “I remember what it was like, being in a wheelchair permanently, and not being able to walk or talk or do anything by myself, and now I can, I’m back – whether you like it or not! I love performing in front of a crowd.”

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Image: High (2024) – Kathryn Hall, Rachel High Quinn, Fig Kershaw and Auslan Interpreters –  Photographer: Kari Seeley

CEO Kari Seeley said, “When audiences engage with No Strings, they experience powerful, professional performances that expand their understanding of human capability and artistic expression. They witness first-hand the extraordinary talent of performers living with disability and become part of a community creating positive change. Their support directly enables professional opportunities for artists with disability and contributes to a more inclusive arts sector, and broader community.”

Without support for inclusive professional theatre practice, the arts (and society more broadly) continue to exclude diverse voices and perspectives, diminishing both the art form and society. The transformative power of professional arts practice remains mostly inaccessible to talented performers with disability, and society loses the benefit of their unique artistic contributions. No Strings empowers theatre professionals to create groundbreaking, professional art through collaborative practice that transforms both artists and audiences, and thereby broader society.

To this end, sponsorship enquiries are extremely welcome and can be made initially by emailing admin@nostringsattached.org.au

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Kym Mackenzie – “As a professional actor, I love being part of No Strings, and making an audience feel proud that a person with intellectual disability, like me, can still get out there and do great stuff.”

Anton Sagrillo – “I love the way everybody works together.”

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Image: My War (2023) – Duncan Luke, Jeshua Paterson, Adam Bullmore – Photographer:  Radhe Osborn

Artistic Director Paulo Castro recently said, “Disability is no excuse for poor quality,” and that approach is cheered on by regular audiences. This attitude by the Artistic Director empowers performers at No Strings and is reflected in their wonderful stage performances and film trilogy. One audience member has expressed what everyone can expect to feel when immersed in watching My Stories Matter. “Moving. Challenging. Hilarious. Poignant. Compulsory viewing!”

Don’t miss the inexpensive and delightful night at the cinema that is the My Stories Matter ‘Grand Finale’ (followed by screenings of the first two films in the trilogy). No Strings is excited to welcome you there.

WHERE: The Regal Theatre, 275 Kensington Road, Kensington Park

WHEN: 6pm, Wednesday, 3^rd December 2025

TICKETS: $20 plus small processing fee. Donations also appreciated.

BOOKINGS: https://www.trybooking.com/CXVUD

MORE INFORMATION: https://www.nostringsattached.org.au/