February 12 to 22

Illawarra Performing Arts Centre

Merrigong Theatre Company's latest production is both insular and open, moving from inside a man's head to outer space.

The Man Who Dreamt The Stars is a collaboration between Merrigong and the Disability Trust. The project began in 2008 and, after countless workshop sessions, drafts and tweaking, is finally ready to be unveiled in February.

"We have a great relationship with the Disability Trust, their drama group and our actors," said Merrigong artistic associate, Anne-Louise Rentell.

With professional thespians Alicia Battestini and Drayton Morley and amateur actors with disabilities from the Trust's drama group, The Man Who Dreamt The Stars is based on the true-life experiences of actor Malcolm Allison.

Mr Allison was diagnosed with a rare cancer in his childhood, and much of the action takes place inside his own head and set during that period of his life.

"It's about the truth of my medical past, as the illness got worse," Mr Allison said.

"It was a little known cancer at the time, and I was getting seizures at the time. So Alicia plays my mum as we go around to the doctors."

The play also takes in some of the interests of Mr Allison and his drama group partner Philip Prentice, with inspirations including space, science fiction and the TV series Doctor Who.

"It's very vivid and imaginative," Ms Rentell said.

"It's dark but fun," Mr Allison added. "You go into my head, but there's also astronauts and explorers."

The drama group is the longest running program at the Disability Trust, operating for more than 20 years. This production is the biggest Mr Allison and Mr Prentice have ever done.