Poignant story is brought to life on Leamington stage

Dramatic, poignant, life-affirming and ultimately triumphant, The Miracle Worker will take the stage at the Leamington theatre from Wednesday until Saturday February 4.

Young and determined Annie Sullivan, herself partially sighted, joins the Keller household as a teacher in Alabama in the 1880s, when Helen is six years old.

Finding spoilt, out-of-control, feral child, Annie attempts to impose discipline, establish a relationship and eventually begin to teach her to communicate, making for some highly dramatic scenes.

Thanks to Annie’s grounding, Helen, who had lost her sight, hearing and voice as a baby as a result of illness, went on to Radcliffe College gaining a BA and later worldwide recognition.

Director Mary MacDonald said she discovered the phrase ‘dark silence’ while researching for the play. She said: “This description seems so evocative of the multi-sensory deprivation suffered by people like Helen Keller, and gives some idea of the world in which she lived before the events of The Miracle Worker took place.”

She added: “We could not ask a seven-year-old to play the demanding role of Helen and we were fortunate to cast sisters Alisha and Indianna Long from Pattison’s College, to share the role of Helen and I’m delighted to have so many other young actors in the company.”

The play, by William Gibson, is based on Helen Keller’s autobiography The Story of My Life.

Performaces take place at 7.45pm each evening. For tickets, call 0844 493 4938 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday, visit the theatre in Victoria Colonnade or go online.