MOTOR neurone disease ( MND) comes under the spotlight at Salisbury Arts Centre next Tuesday (April 26) in the innovative production 'Cell'.

The show features puppetry, physical theatre and an original musical score as it tells the story of one man’s final adventure to create enough memories to last a lifetime.

After being diagnosed with MND Ted embarks on the trip of a lifetime, taking his pet fish with him. Ted is a puppet and his story of love and life with MND is raising awareness of the disease across the UK.

Cell is the first collaboration between puppetry companies Smoking Apples and Dogfish. It was a five star reviewed hit at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2015.

Matthew Lloyd, Co-Artistic Director, said: ‘At the start of our creative process we wanted to explore movement and puppetry. Motor neurone disease causes physical degeneration and is therefore a challenge to show through puppetry, an art form which relies on movement to sustain its illusion.

‘Two members of the cast had very different experiences of losing family members to MND which brought important emotional and personal memories to the devising process. The development of Cell was aided greatly by working with the MND Association and by the Royal Hospital of Neuro-disability.’

Karen Pearce, Director of Care from the MND Association said: ‘It’s a great production and you soon forget that Ted is anything other than a normal leading man. Because of the research the team undertook, the puppetry captures some of the physical impact of MND extremely realistically.

‘We were proud to be involved in this production and I’d urge anyone to enjoy what will be the last chance to see Ted on his adventures.’

Cell deals with a difficult subject with humour and sensitivity and is suitable for ages 11+.

Cell appears at Salisbury Arts Centre on Tuesday 26 April at 8pm and tickets are £12 and £10 for concessions available on line at www.salsburyartscentre.co.uk or at the Box Office on 01722321744