Blog - Performing Arts
Women Who Have Committed Suicide
August 16, 2019 - by Wendy YoungThe recent suicide of L’wren Scott appears to be overshadowed by headlines about Mick Jagger being her boyfriend e.g. ‘Mick Jagger says ‘’I will never forget her’’ and ‘Mick on stage in Australia when he hears the tragic news’. Why would Ms Scott, a successful fashion designer with ‘A’ list ...
‘Surroundings’ Blog 7
July 31, 2019 - by Ivan RichesAfter considerable time recovering from all my hard work creating a 360° online artwork and 2 insulations/live performances, I am trying to complete the final part of my R&D ‘Surroundings’ project. And this is where you dear blog readers, enter centre stage. To further the progress of my 'Surroundings' project, I will need your ...
What Did You Think I Was Going To Do?
July 28, 2019 - by Dolly SenOn July 22nd with the help of some fellow disabled activists from DPAC, Mental Health Resistance Network and WinVisible, we performed a symbolic action – called ‘Broken Hearts for the DWP’ – to remember those who have not survived the cuts. Each person carried a large red ...
Letter to our next Prime Minister
July 18, 2019 - by Dolly SenVery soon we will have a new prime minister, and probably another round of DWP-related deaths. I have started up a radical mental health art-action programme called Section 136, where madness is questioned, and institutional monsters are confronted using art, love, rage and sheep. I have started the ball rolling by ...
New York: How a desire to get people to smile inspired inclusive practice
July 18, 2019 - by Step Change StudiosStep Change Studios Founder Rashmi Becker has been learning about inclusive practice in the U.S. and recently met New York-based ballroom dancer Arkadiy Stepanchuck. Arkadiy was inspired to set up inclusive dance company DuDance after a dancing road trip. He recounts his experience and how his effort to build connections ...
Is disability culture going mainstream? ‘richard iii redux’ shortlisted for 2019 James Tait Black Award
July 17, 2019 - by Kaite O'ReillyI know the answer even as I wrote the title for this blog… No. And define ‘mainstream’ while you’re about it, O’Reilly. And ‘disability culture’… and no, I am not going to turn this blog into one of my academic essays about Crip’ culture and interweaving performance cultures (though I can refer ...
Radical New Art Show For Norwich!
July 16, 2019 - by Vince LawsBrand new 2-week art show, Pimp My Unicorn, launches in Norwich on Monday 22 July from 7pm with a party and entertainment. Organised by Norfolk based poet, artist, and campaigner, Vince Laws, Pimp My Unicorn is artist-led and funded entirely by donations. I think it’s important for the whole community that ...
Jellyfish – exploring issues around sex and learning disability with wit and wisdom
July 16, 2019 - by Colin HambrookOriginally a Bush Theatre production, I was delighted when I heard Ben Weatherill’s Jellyfish - written for Call the Midwife star Sarah Gordy – was to transfer to the National Theatre. I was determined to get to see the production - a first in terms of casting an actor with ...
Bedlamb – Here We Come!
July 3, 2019 - by Dolly SenThis year my fellow trouble maker Caroline Cardus and I were lucky enough to be funded by Future’s Venture – a radical art fund – to launch some art interventions under the project name of Section 136. Section 136 is a radical mental health art-action programme where madness is ...
Arts Health and well-being and the professionals
June 28, 2019 - by Michelle BaharierIt’s probably about time I started writing about all the things I’ve done because it seems that everyone else is #Arts #Health and #Wellbeing. As I am a dyslexic I’ve written this on a speech to text attachment but also due to my dyslexia I am speaking this and it is ...