A fierce, funny and unapologetically disabled-led work that exposes the hidden histories of Australia’s special education system, this March, Arts House premieres Specials.
Written by award-winning artist and playwright Kath Duncan, Specials draws on the personal experiences that shaped Duncan as a child in special education in the 1960s.
After a sold-out development 2024 season, this mainstage season showcases a majority disabled cast and creative team, inviting audiences into an immersive and transformative theatre experience.
“The special kids are revolting, finally! This is the first time in Australia that a former special ed student gets to critique special education live on stage. It’s hilarious, harrowing and long overdue,” said Duncan.
Specials unites an acclaimed creative team, including director Tansy Gorman, digital designer Rhian Hinkley, producer Veronica Pardo and six disabled performers: Jamila Main, Oliver Ayres, Sonia Marcon, Emma J Hawkins, Felise Lyon and Sarah-Jayde Tracey.
Inclusion inspires every aspect of Specials. While artists engage with potentially challenging material during rehearsals and performances, they are supported within a safe, supportive and collaborative space.
Specials follows Simon and Cheryl, two former special school students who break into their old school and travel through their shared past, confronting the teachers and systems that formed and failed them.
Blending satire, horror, archival material and biting politics, Specials exposes the ongoing impacts of segregated schooling at a moment when national conversations about the future of special education are particularly urgent.
“With an all-disabled cast, Specials mixes fact and invention, satire and humour for a ‘HA HA OUCH’ confrontation with exclusion and power. Out of that we create pride, agency and liberation,” said Duncan.
“Specials is a once-in-a-generation work. It’s politically sharp and artistically ambitious. This is disabled people taking control of our stories, our stages and our futures,” said director Tansy Gorman.
Arts House’s Head of Programming, Naomi Velaphi said Specials was commissioned last year as part of the Warehouse Residency. “We are thrilled to present the main stage premiere of Specials,” said Velaphi.
“It champions the fierce and impactful stories of disabled people with a stellar team. We are so excited to share this new work with our audiences.”
Specials
Arts House – North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne
Season: 24 – 29 March 2026
Information and Bookings: www.artshouse.com.au
Image: Specials by Kath Duncan (supplied)