The play is presented by leading Australian playwright Ron Elisha, directed by Max Gillies and also features actors Pip Mushin, Brian Lipson, Christen O'Leary, Catherin Wilkin and John Wood. Pip Mushin performs in the role of Sol, a blind speechwriter befriended by the Goldberg family after writing a 21st birthday speech for daughter Nina. I wanted to represent people accurately, so I worked with staff at RVIB to gain a better understanding of being blind. Pip met with RVIB Braille Instructor Ramona Mandy and RVIB Braille Music Teacher Dorothy Hamilton. Ramona Mandy teaches adults who have lost their sight how to read braille.
Braille is the key to literacy for people who are blind.
The character of Sol in the play uses braille to write speeches and play the piano. RVIB Braille Music Teacher, Dorothy Hamilton, spent time with the cast, introducing them to braille and braille music. First was I was impressed with her amazing talents as a pianists, but I was so fascinated by the use of braille for music. She read braille notes so quickly and just played. What I have learnt is that people who are blind or vision impaired are just like everyone else.