PIONEERING disabled-led theatre company Graeae’s acclaimed musical Reasons to be Cheerful will hit the road one final time this autumn, appearing at Nuffield Southampton Theatres in September.

The extraordinary wit and wisdom of Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ music and lyrics will be brought to life by a cast of 14 actors and musicians. Graeae’s Artistic Director Jenny Sealey will direct a mix of performers who originated the show, those who joined the cast subsequently and newcomers to Reasons to be Cheerful.

The parallels with the show’s 1979 setting are clear. Today, as nationwide cuts continue to impact on the lives of deaf and disabled people, Graeae puts them centre stage. As a prominent disabled activist, Ian Dury was a patron of Graeae. Protest songs are being written across the country as part of a community programme inviting original songs for a new generation to be included in the tour.

First seen in 2010, Reasons to be Cheerful, a bold and jubilant coming of age tale, has gone on to play at theatres and festivals across the UK, in stadiums around the world, and even in front of HRH The Queen.

This joyful and defiant production,featuring classic hits including Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick and Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll plays Southampton from September 26 to 30.

Tickets: 023 8067 1771 or nstheatres.co.uk .