Being confined to wheelchairs or unable to speak is no hindrance to the brave cast of Kylie Harris’s Water Angel

KYLIE Harris is leading the world in staging plays that use the talents — not the handicaps — of people with high support needs.

Matthew Cunningham in Water Angel. Picture: Peter Tabor

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SOME of the actors may be in wheelchairs or are unable to speak but they’re stars of a remarkable theatre production led by Balmoral director Kylie Harris.

Harris is leading the world in staging plays that use the talents — not the handicaps — of people with high support needs, particularly those with cerebral palsy.

Water Angel director Kylie Harris.

She has directed Water Angel which has four performances at the Sydney Opera House tonight and tomorrow.

It is the fourth production by Can You See Me? Theatre and Harris will be taking the concept to New York in 2018.

Water Angel is a collaborative and innovative production, a series of dreams and ideas woven around a tropical island dealing with the arrival of newcomers.

Two-thirds of the cast have special needs, one third are professional actors.

Disability is no barrier for the performers in Water Angel. Picture: Peter Tabor

For instance, Harris says one the young men is non-verbal and can only nod his head, yes or no, but his communication on stage is effective when drawn out by another actor.

Harris says there is nowhere else she would rather be than with people “so prepared to smile and give it a go”.

“These are people who just need time and space to unfold to their greatest ability,’’ she said.

Water Angel will be at the Opera House at 6.30pm and 8.30pm on May 19 and 20. Bookings: sydneyoperahouse.com

Cast members Brianna Harris and Oliver House.