A joyful, boundary-breaking theatre experience — funny, heartfelt, and unlike anything else
Described as “Funny, heart-warming, triumphant”, Perfect Show for Rachel comes to Sheffield’s Playhouse this February with a critically acclaimed production that redefines what inclusive theatre can be.
Created by the multi award-winning Zoo Co Theatre, in collaboration with Improbable, this extraordinary show was developed with Rachel herself, ensuring the performance is created entirely on her own terms.
Meet the O’Mahony sisters
Flo is an award-winning theatre director.
Rachel is her 35-year-old sister — learning disabled, charismatic, and very clear about what she loves: Kylie, chaos, and people falling over.
Together, they set out to create Rachel’s perfect show: fast-paced, funny, unpredictable — and completely different every night.
What unfolds is a glorious explosion of:
Physical comedy
Live music and dancing
Home movies
Joyful anarchy and audience surprises
Because Rachel creates the show live, the cast must be ready for anything — including fart jokes, singing biscuits, bar-room brawls, and the possibility of being fired on the spot.
Why this show matters
Perfect Show for Rachel boldly asks:
Who decides what “good” art is?
Who gets excluded from that definition?
By putting control directly into Rachel’s hands, the show becomes a celebration of neurodiversity, access, love, and creative freedom — and an experience audiences consistently describe as life-affirming.
Access at the heart of the show
All performances are Relaxed Performances as standard, designed to be welcoming and flexible:
Audiences may leave and re-enter as needed
A quiet chill-out space is available just outside the auditorium
No sudden loud noises; full lighting and standard sound levels
Optional audience interaction only — never compulsory
Deaf and Hard of Hearing access
All performances include a mix of creative captioning, live captioning, and integrated BSL
Voices are amplified via radio microphones
Audio Description
The performance on Thursday 19 February is audio described by specialist improvisation describer Ess Grange
Reviews
★★★★★ “Why can’t more theatre be like this? Open, relaxed, fun and full of love” — The Guardian ★★★★★ “A theatrical experience like no other” — Broadway World ★★★★ “A show that makes us feel part of a family” — The Stage ★★★★★ “An absolute joy to watch” — A Youngish Perspective
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