Eight-year-old Luke from LauraLynn, Ireland’s only Children’s Hospice took part in a unique production at Dublin’s Abbey Theatre over the weekend. The performance, entitled Gerry the Elephant’s Colourful Cloak, highlights the individual personalities and interests of five children, including Meath’s very own star Luke, who use LauraLynn services.
The collaborative initiative between LauraLynn, the Abbey Theatre, and the National Gallery of Ireland seeks to make the arts more accessible for children with life limiting conditions. This family support project enables the children to engage in the arts in a significant way and be part of a once in a lifetime project with two of the most prominent arts organisations in Ireland.
Written by Paul Timoney, the inclusive performance transports families on a magical immersive journey following the adventures of Gerry the Elephant.
Michelle Hartnett, LauraLynn Senior Play Therapist at LauraLynn said: “Days like this are incredibly special for the children and their families. The opportunity to perform on the stage in The Abbey Theatre is about more than just a performance—it is about joy, creativity, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Each of the children’s names will be recorded in the Abbey theatre archives, a lasting mark of this moment in the spotlight. Very few people can say that they have performed on The Abbey stage, and for these five families, it will now be part of their child’s story, a day to cherish forever.”
Pictured are children from LauraLynn on stage at LauraLynn at The Abbey in a unique production, Gerry the Elephant’s Colourful Cloak with Luke in the lead picture and fellow performer above.
Co-Director of the Abbey Theatre, Executive Director Mark O’Brien said: “It is always a pleasure to welcome the children, their families and friends, and the staff and volunteers, of LauraLynn into the Abbey Theatre. It is privilege to be able to offer our support to LauraLynn in hosting this special performance, which never fails to inspire all the team here.”
The success of Gerry the Elephant’s Colourful Cloak, at the Abbey Theatre highlights the importance of accessibility to the arts. This initiative not only showcases significant and magical moments from each of the LauraLynn children’s lives but also creates lasting and heartfelt memories for their families.
