Think of theatre-in-education and you would be forgiven for conjuring up images of 'Legz Akimbo'- the spoof education theatre company that features in the bizarre series The League of Gentlemen. Patronising, wooden acting and an unhealthy obsession with issues are all traits of the fictional thespians. However in the 'real-world' there is an educational theatre company that's making quite an impression on the touring stage circuit, and there isn't a naff set or bad actor to be seen. Mind the Gap (MTG) boasts the reputation of being the largest disability theatre company outside of London and has undertaken no less than 11 national tours since it formed in 1988.

The latest production Of Mice And Men, based on the novel by John Steinbeck, opens at the West Yorkshire Playhouse next week (with extra dates added due to high demand). But it has to be said the company is no stranger to this particular text. Indeed it received critical acclaim for its 2000 version which featured a smaller cast.

Kevin Pringle. Photo by Tim Smith

Sarah Kennedy, of MTG, explains why the company chose to revisit this text: "Tim (Artistic director Tim Wheeler) felt more of the themes of the play could be explored with a bigger cast. The 2005 show has an integrated cast of five and while it builds on the friendship between George and Lennie, it also looks at broader issues surrounding race as the black character of Crooks has been written in."

Sarah joined MTG after an eight year career which has seen her working at some of the UK's top venues- including Bradford's Alhambra. I asked Sarah if there is anything about Steinbeck's story that makes it particularly appealing to their compan. She says: "Mind the Gap aims to challenge perceptions about people with learning disabilities and to celebrate difference and diversity. Of Mice And Men is one of the very few pieces of literature to prominently feature a learning disabled character." She goes on to reveal that MTG was the first professional touring company to cast an actor with learning difficulties for the role.

The theatre company is first and foremost a professional touring company, yet it also has a burning ambition to break down those barriers that keep some members of the community from accessing the arts. As MTG puts it, it wants to "dismantle the barriers to artistic excellence so that learning disabled and non-disabled artists can perform alongside each other as equals".

Jez Colborne. Photo by Tim Smith

But as the company's national profile grows , will it stray away from its educational and community theatre roots? Sarah doesn't think so: "Outreach is a big part of Mind the Gap's work, and we wouldn't want that to change as its a very important part of our work. Taking Mind the Gap to schools and community settings helps us to build the profile of the company at a regional level, and it is part of our actors work to deliver theatre training. Outreach work is also a great way to find new talent to be involved in Mind the Gap's work." With a regular high profile presence at Bradford Festival, the breeding ground in community arts, such outreach work is set to continue for years to come.

Yet Mind The Gap appears to be making even more friends than those at Bradford Festival as recent collaborations have shown. The company has been working with the renowned Northern Stage Ensemble, and is currently involved in a project with celebrity poet Ian Macmillan. The company is also forging close links with the UK's prestigious drama and theatre schools such as the Oxford School of Speech and Drama, The Guildford School of Acting, The Arts Educational School and Mountview Theatre School as part of its aim to integrate.

It seems that there is a real emphasis on training for all aspects of the theatre in an attempt to give members the best possible chance of success. Not only do they learn acting, but also technical aspects, front of house and even PR. The company has a team of paid actors, all of whom have graduated from MTG's training course and many of whom are pursuing successful careers in theatre and television. Anna-Marie Heslop, who has undertaken major roles in both The Bill and Rhinoceros, is just one of many members rising to national fame.

And if you thought that MTG was intent only on making waves on the stage, you'd be mistaken for the company has even set about the way in which those with learning difficulties are treated as audience members. A CD-Rom produced by the company is now regularly used by venues in an attempt to better serve patrons with learning difficulties.

Aside from the undisputed important community work which MTG does, it also puts on first rate productions and has been receiving critical acclaim at the highest level. It regularly features in The Stage magazine and with yet another national tour underway, Mind The Gap is certain to stay in the media spotlight enabling its inspirational work to continue.

Si Cunningham

Of Mice and Men runs 19th - 21st September at West Yorkshire Playhouse and then tours.

This article is user-generated content (i.e. an external contribution) expressing a personal opinion, not the views of the BBC West Yorkshire website.