Up Down BIG Man
A Myrtle Theatre Company and Wiltshire Creative production, in association with The Wardrobe Ensemble
Devised and written by, Nathan Bessell, Tom Brennan, Tom England, Helena Seneca and Heather Williams
Salisbury Playhouse (Salberg Studio) 7–17 October 2026
Bristol Old Vic (Weston Studio) 20-24 October 2026
The production is supported by Arts Council England National Lottery project grant funding, our Patrons Joanna and Paul Pearson, and in-kind support from Bristol Old Vic.
Up Down BIG Man is the third in a series of groundbreaking plays that builds on the success of the acclaimed Up Down Boy (2009) and Up Down Man (2016). The productions have emerged from a remarkable twenty year collaboration between exceptional performer Nathan Bessell, who has learning disabilities, and Heather Williams, Artistic Director of Myrtle Theatre Company. Nathan plays his on stage alter ego, Matty.
There comes a time in every man’s life when he has to leave home. For Matty, it’s forty. He really is a big man. But with his mother gone and his dad moving on, what’s next for Matty? He needs support — but what is the best form of care? How can he be independent and safe? Why is his sister late picking him up? …… And as he leaves the sanctuary of his home, his room, for the final time, is there space in the boxes for his most treasured possession?
CAST
Nathan Bessell
Tom Brennan
Tom England
Rieko Kijima
Heather Williams
CREATIVES
Heather Williams – Artistic Director
Helena Seneca – Director
Sam Wilde – Set and Costume Designer
Michael Straun – Lighting Designer
Morag Massey – Producer
The Up Down Trilogy is a unique insight into the social history of a person with Down syndrome and the artistic development of an actor with a learning disability.
Up Down Big Man can be watched as a stand-alone production — but audiences who have seen the other two plays will be fascinated to see what happens next in this unusual but strangely familiar story.
Up Down BIG Man has been researched in collaboration with the Bessell family and Keynsham and District Mencap.
Up Down BIG Man is presented in loving memory of Sue Shields (Bessell)
First Image: Nathan Bessell, Up Down BIG Man
Photographer: Ben Robins
Second Image: R&D Nathan Bessell, Heather Williams, Helena Seneca, Rieko Kijimo, Tom England, Tom Brennan
