Sarah Gordy, ground-breaking actress with Down's Syndrome awarded an MBE

Actress Sarah Gordy has been awarded an MBE in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours. Sarah, an actress with Down’s Syndrome and Mencap’s first celebrity ambassador with a learning disability was awarded the honour for ‘Services to the Arts and People with Disabilities’.

Sarah said, ‘I am so surprised and thrilled to receive such an honour. I am hoping it will be an inspiration to young people with disabilities and their parents. I have been a professional actor for 17 years and I am pleased to say things are beginning to change. My industry has started to understand that diversity is an opportunity not a problem. ‘

Sarah who recently spoke at the World Down Syndrome Day events at the UN plays the lead character, Kelly in Jellyfish, a new play by Ben Weatherill at the Bush Theatre, London from 27 June. Jellyfish is the story of a first kiss, chips by the beach and coming of age with Down’s Syndrome in a seaside town. It’s a unique romance across uncharted waters which asks: does everyone really have the right to love as they choose? Jellyfish is a produced by Mark Cartwright in association with the Bush Theatre.



Sarah’s previous theatre includes: Matilda Glass in Crocodiles (Manchester Royal Exchange), Flora in Once We Were Mothers (New Vic Newcastle Under Lyme and The Orange Tree, Richmond). Jess in Walking on Water (Theatre Centre), Barmaid and Bag Lady in Harold Pinter Shorts at Brighton Festival and Mary McBride in Seize the Day (Hijinx Theatre). Television includes; The Silkworm, Book Two the Strike Series (BBC1). Sally Harper in Call the Midwife (BBC1), Pamela Holland in Upstairs Downstairs Series One and Two and Jessica Bain in Peak Practice (ITV). Radio includes: Janine in The Good Samaritan (BBC R3), Resurrection (BBCR4) and Simone/Wondergirl in The Meek (BBC R3).

Jellyfish
27 June - 21 July at 7.45pm
Wednesday matinees on 4, 11, 18 July at 2.45pm
Saturday matinees on 7, 14, 21 July at 2.45pm
Captioned performance on Thurs 12 July at 2.45pm
Audio described performance on Sat 23 June at 2.45pm

Ticket prices
Adult: From £10
Concessions: Bush Locals, Senior Citizens, Disabled and Unemployed patrons, and Bush Connect (Students and U26) members will be eligible for concession prices.