Max Lewis is a writer and director who has Down Syndrome and has spent most of his life assuming that “the inner-workings of his creative mind” would never “come to fruition” - until he came across Electric Umbrella.

Times Series:

From the mind of Max, from Finchley, and realised by Electric Umbrella is I am The Dream Machine, a pop up opera, comes to Watford Palace this weekend.

The story begins with Nick, a young man progressing into adulthood, struggling to keep grasp on his childhood dreams. His unique imagination has always taken him on fantastical journeys, but the humdrum of adult ‘normality’ leaves him feeling trapped. Rediscovering his forgotten dreams – as well as grappling with some nightmares along the way – Nick embarks upon a journey towards self-discovery and freedom of imagination.

The production is a collaboration of musicians, composers and the ideas and talents of the Electric Umbrella membership of 60 people with learning disabilities.

Electric Umbrella’s artistic director, Tom Billington, explains: “We are a community of musicians, artists and people with learning disabilities and we make things happen that nobody thinks would be possible! The creation of the pop-opera is all happening in real time. The songs affecting the story, the story affecting the songs. Ideas are allowed to flow and the end result will be exactly what it’s meant to be!”

For Max, 25, theatre has always played a starring role in Max’s life, as both an avid fan and an actor himself. Having acted alongside Dame Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett on the big screen (Notes on a Scandal, 2006), as well as featuring in a range of stage plays and pantomimes, Max is no stranger to the spotlight. However, this will be his debut role as a writer and director and he feels that this is an opportunity to show the inner-workings of his creative mind.

Max says: “This is so important to me, to have my ideas coming out - I’m living my dream!”

Ally Rosenberg is an artist and writer with a background in neuroscience, and a close, longstanding friend of Max. Ally assists Max in communicating his vast knowledge of theatre and expressing his ideas.

“Max has so much to offer,” Ally explains. “As a voice for other people with learning difficulties and a challenge to society’s misconceptions, but mostly as a creative mind with a refreshing, funny, life-affirming worldview, deserving of an audience. Spending time with him is always the highlight of my week.”

The nature of Electric Umbrella makes a show near impossible to overly script or rehearse, so allowing for spontaneity, performances are often treated as one-off, with the magic unfold-ing in ‘real time.’ This, along with engaging, uninhibited showmanship, gives the audience what we all crave from live performance: authenticity, unpredictability and the transformation of their own perceptions.

Melanie Boda, Electric Umbrella’s managing director said, “This project encapsulates everything that Electric Umbrella is about. Challenging the perceptions of people with learning disabilities by empowering and enriching lives through music. We believe that working shoulder to shoulder with people at the top of their game, thinking around and beyond the challenges faced, we can make something that no one has ever seen before.”

I am The Dream Machine at Watford Palace, 20 Clarendon Road, WD17 1JZ, Sunday, July 8 at 4pm.