The other week I was a Wise Man. I played one of the three Oriental gentlemen in a play about the Nativity performed by members of the Oyster Project in Lewes.

I trained in Drama when I was young and since my school years I have been in various kinds of theatre. However, I must admit I have never done anything like this. Doing “An Infant King” was the idea of John Russell the founder of the Oyster Project and, some people had their doubts when John first put the idea of doing the play to us back in July. These doubts were unfounded because Oyster members are always willing to take on a challenge and prove the doubters wrong.

Oyster was set up by John for people who have all kinds of disabilities – some have physical difficulties such as problems with mobility with some having to use wheelchairs. Some have mental health problems and some, including myself, have both. John Russell himself has limited mobility and often has to use a wheelchair.

The play told the Christmas story but it was far from the Nativity Play  we all did or watched at primary school with a few simple bits of scenery at the front of the school hall and some simple costumes and lines that were easy for the children to learn.

The show, which was performed at the All Saints Centre in Lewes, had elaborate lighting, professionally made sets which were changed with great precision by a group of young people – some of whom have learning difficulties.  There were fantastic costumes made by professionals.

Playing Mary was Lewes actress Sarah Gordy who became well-known for her portrayal of Lady Pamela Holland in the BBC 1 series "Upstairs Downstairs". Sarah herself suffers from Downs Syndrome but has never let the limits that society puts on her and people like her get in the way of her ambitions. She gave feeling and expression to the part of Mary that she also gave to Pamela Holland and her recent part in "Holby City". She also co-directed the production.

The actor Robert East – best known as Harry in Black Adder - was the storyteller with beautiful music and great sound effects being added.

There was some terrific photography of the show by Phillip Wise who showed ability in the way he captured it in pictures. Phillip himself is unable to speak because of his disability.

Many amateur drama societies would be jealous of the standard achieved in the performance of An Infant King but it proved John Russell’s belief that in every human being there is a gem which enables them to achieve great things – and that includes the disabled. The Oyster Project gives us the opportunity to realise those things. Along with doing drama, Oyster also runs Radio Lewes – an internet radio station, an art group, a group doing some of the cooking of the food which we eat at the weekly café run at the All Saints Centre. There is also a gardening group which grows some of the veg which is used in the cooking.

If every town had a group like Oyster, perhaps society would have a better understanding of people with disabilities and the abilities and potential we have.