Metamorphoses: Transforming together

Aim

Produce a high value piece of theatre centred around a participant living with MND created and performed by an intergenerational community.

OXFORD PEOPLE"S THEATRE was formed in 2022 by Lizzy McBain and Emma Webb. They had worked together on many projects, most of which enabled people who might not normally engage with theatre to experience the camaraderie and creative development that theatre encourages. Over the last three years they have been running workshops and  created a number of original pieces for Oxford University, the Covered Market,  Arts at the Old Fire Station and Pegasus Theatre Oxford. 

Now, they are making an extraordinary piece of work in response to a request from Gill, an OPT participant. Gill was recently diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in her early 30s. It usually affects people over the age of 50. MND is a life limiting degenerative disease with no known cure.

Gill had  found OPT at a time when she really needed other people around her. She quickly became a much valued and loved member of the OPT community.

“Life circumstances can be relentless, and I was diagnosed with a degenerative and life-limiting condition earlier this year… When I realised I wanted to create a production to raise awareness and make sense of my situation, OPT was my first call. Groups like OPT are a major part of the reason I’ve stayed in Oxford through everything”

When we were approached by Gill in Summer 2025 with an idea to co-create a new piece of theatre, there was no way we could not make this show. We all agreed that the show should feature transformations at its core. 

“My life circumstances feel bigger than words, and bigger than one person. Classical mythology spoke to me because of the unsoftened drama and horror and comedy of change beyond human control. Emma and Lizzy are doing a fantastic job so far helping me bring my ideas to life, and it means the world to me to have the OPT community behind me. I want to share this with as many people as possible.”

Gillian really wants to be in a show, whilst she can.

Because of the progressive nature of her condition, which affects mobility and speech, this project will have a fast turn around; we are working hard to weave this experience and the tales together because life, like the tales, is unpredictable. 

So we need to do this quickly. 

Our version of Ovid’s Metamorphoses will place tales of transformation in mythology alongside our universal experiences of change, with Gillian's story binding them all together. 

This will be performed by our fabulous, intergenerational community cast of 35, aged from 11-93 in May 2026 (22-24 May at Old Fire Station, Oxford), who are creating the piece alongside Gill, supporting her and each other.

Alongside the performance there will be information and talks about MND and a chance to donate to the MND Association.

This fundraiser is to get this show produced. It will go towards venue hire, marketing, design, and staffing costs from writers to facilitators to chaperones so that a cast of 30+, aged 11-93 can both share in the transformative experience of making this piece of theatre together and share it with you, their audience.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made