In The Middle Of Our Street
Devised by Full Circle Theatre Company Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
“If ever there is a show that so positively, and in such a visual and beautiful way, challenges negative perceptions about learning disabled people, then this is it. It is a fantastic story, told with passion, skill, humour and Full Circle’s unique aesthetic, but most importantly, it is their story.”
Annabel Turpin, CEO and Artistic Director ARC Stockton
In their tenth anniversary show, the learning disabled actors of Full Circle mix a bit of the ordinary and everyday with a bit of magic to explore what independence and adulthood means to them.
Hannah wants more than the daily repetition that life has to offer and finds herself in an inventors’ workshop. The inventors ask her to test time travelling shoes and super powered glasses that open Hannah’s eyes to all sorts of exciting possibilities.
Hannah can see freedom, and sets off on a mission. She goes back for her friends and lets them know there’s another way.
If you’ve ever faced a challenge, or had a dream, you’ll know how Hannah and her friends feel. Come and celebrate with them in a visually spectacular show packed with Full Circle’s usual mix of power, poignancy and humour.
You Can Read a Fantastic Review of the Show by Dean Chaffer on Disability Arts Online
Annabel Turpin, CEO and Artistic Director ARC Stockton
In their tenth anniversary show, the learning disabled actors of Full Circle mix a bit of the ordinary and everyday with a bit of magic to explore what independence and adulthood means to them.
Hannah wants more than the daily repetition that life has to offer and finds herself in an inventors’ workshop. The inventors ask her to test time travelling shoes and super powered glasses that open Hannah’s eyes to all sorts of exciting possibilities.
Hannah can see freedom, and sets off on a mission. She goes back for her friends and lets them know there’s another way.
If you’ve ever faced a challenge, or had a dream, you’ll know how Hannah and her friends feel. Come and celebrate with them in a visually spectacular show packed with Full Circle’s usual mix of power, poignancy and humour.
You Can Read a Fantastic Review of the Show by Dean Chaffer on Disability Arts Online
Occupation
by Pauline Heath
In a world of sanctions, forced treatment, and divided communities, people are being pushed to the edge.
An ex-soldier, a lost youth, a professional and a parent take their places around a monument at a disability rally, and shine a light on how austerity has affected disabled people and their families and what it means for generations to come. They are being pushed onto the streets to make their voices heard. ‘Human rights’ are ridiculed and people who would never before have dreamed of attending a protest are now gathering to speak out.
With an original music score by North East musician and composer Keith Mills, comic silent movies pastiches, and four fantastic actors who are accompanied by a 12 strong chorus from local community groups, Occupation is going to be a real community event.
Written by Pauline Heath, Movement Facilitation by Lisette Aution, Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
An ex-soldier, a lost youth, a professional and a parent take their places around a monument at a disability rally, and shine a light on how austerity has affected disabled people and their families and what it means for generations to come. They are being pushed onto the streets to make their voices heard. ‘Human rights’ are ridiculed and people who would never before have dreamed of attending a protest are now gathering to speak out.
With an original music score by North East musician and composer Keith Mills, comic silent movies pastiches, and four fantastic actors who are accompanied by a 12 strong chorus from local community groups, Occupation is going to be a real community event.
Written by Pauline Heath, Movement Facilitation by Lisette Aution, Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
The Importance of Creative Platforms for Learning Disabled Artists - The Keepers
Collaboration with the Full Circle Ensemble
Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
Ever wondered where all the messages in bottles end up? Or where all the released balloons with messages of love land?
Ever made a promise it was almost impossible to keep, where every possible obstacle that could appear, did appear?
The learning disabled actors from Full Circle, have been working in collaboration with professional theatre director Vici Wreford-Sinnott on their latest production. The new piece explores what it’s like to have no voice and few choices, cleverly looking into the places we are given in society.
The actors were inspired by a book called ‘No Going Back’, where a group of learning disabled storytellers looked into the experiences of disabled people and wanted to tell the stories to make sure they weren’t forgotten. This really struck a chord with Full Circle actors and devisers, who are just the same, having spent 9 years developing their own unique style of theatre and being committed to ensuring that learning disabled people are visible in both our communities and also in wider society.
The Keepers is set on a remote island and follows the stories of a group of people who have been sent to live there against their wishes. In spite of attempts to remove their dignity, the group forge a role for themselves, and become the keepers of hidden promises, of invisible truths, and of stories untold, and the piece speaks to the responsibility we all have to reveal unfairness and inequality in our local communities.
As ever, the piece is true to Full Circle’s signature style and is visually striking with a fantastic sound track.
Ever made a promise it was almost impossible to keep, where every possible obstacle that could appear, did appear?
The learning disabled actors from Full Circle, have been working in collaboration with professional theatre director Vici Wreford-Sinnott on their latest production. The new piece explores what it’s like to have no voice and few choices, cleverly looking into the places we are given in society.
The actors were inspired by a book called ‘No Going Back’, where a group of learning disabled storytellers looked into the experiences of disabled people and wanted to tell the stories to make sure they weren’t forgotten. This really struck a chord with Full Circle actors and devisers, who are just the same, having spent 9 years developing their own unique style of theatre and being committed to ensuring that learning disabled people are visible in both our communities and also in wider society.
The Keepers is set on a remote island and follows the stories of a group of people who have been sent to live there against their wishes. In spite of attempts to remove their dignity, the group forge a role for themselves, and become the keepers of hidden promises, of invisible truths, and of stories untold, and the piece speaks to the responsibility we all have to reveal unfairness and inequality in our local communities.
As ever, the piece is true to Full Circle’s signature style and is visually striking with a fantastic sound track.
Out of the Shadows
Collaboration with the Full Circle Ensemble
Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott
"A world where suitcases and umbrellas become airships and trains stations. A journey into the woods, down the tracks and up in the air, allows Full Circle to explore who is in the shadows and what secret worlds are bubbling just below the surface.
Inventive and highly visual, captivating strong imagery through projection and shadow reveal the human stories at the heart of this piece".
This new piece of visual and physical storytelling has been devised by the ensemble of learning disabled actors who make up Full Circle Theatre Company, working in collaboration with theatre director, Vici Wreford-Sinnott.
The actors take us from a peaceful woodland scene on an energetic chase through a range of film genres and styles to explore why some people live in the shadows and what happens when people get left out. When we’re safe and sound why would we want to leave out people who are different.
Full Circle are a long established theatre group who always create visually stunning work with a range of effects. This time we are using huge projections and experimenting with shadows, whilst the setting is stripped right back to the actors being creative with just a few props.
A thoroughly entertaining piece of original theatre, ensuring the creative expression of disabled people is included in our local cultural landscape, proudly placed centre-stage to challenge perceptions of disabled people, to celebrate individuality and identity, and to ensure the visibility of disabled people – making sure that we come Out of the Shadows!
Inventive and highly visual, captivating strong imagery through projection and shadow reveal the human stories at the heart of this piece".
This new piece of visual and physical storytelling has been devised by the ensemble of learning disabled actors who make up Full Circle Theatre Company, working in collaboration with theatre director, Vici Wreford-Sinnott.
The actors take us from a peaceful woodland scene on an energetic chase through a range of film genres and styles to explore why some people live in the shadows and what happens when people get left out. When we’re safe and sound why would we want to leave out people who are different.
Full Circle are a long established theatre group who always create visually stunning work with a range of effects. This time we are using huge projections and experimenting with shadows, whilst the setting is stripped right back to the actors being creative with just a few props.
A thoroughly entertaining piece of original theatre, ensuring the creative expression of disabled people is included in our local cultural landscape, proudly placed centre-stage to challenge perceptions of disabled people, to celebrate individuality and identity, and to ensure the visibility of disabled people – making sure that we come Out of the Shadows!
Butterfly by Vici Wreford-Sinnott - National Tour Spring 2017
New play holds up a mirror to 21st Century Britain
It’s not very often that David Bowie and the Bay City Rollers get mentioned in the same breath, but they both feature in the soundtrack of the central character’s life in Butterfly, a brand new tackling the stigma around mental health conditions, about to begin a national tour, starting at ARC Stockton.
Written and directed by playwright and theatre director, Vici Wreford-Sinnott, the one-woman play stars Jacqueline Phillips, who has an accomplished track record in theatre, TV and film work.
Vici, who has carved a successful career in ground-breaking theatre, said: “Butterfly is a play about the history of stigma, and is never more relevant in today’s austerity climate, with figures rising all the time of those experiencing mental health distress, facing ever-decreasing services. This new piece tackles the stigma surrounding mental health head on and aims to set the record straight”.
“Beatrice is the play’s central character, an unlikely heroine, and all she ever wanted was a quiet life, to stay under the radar and not the microscope. Now, sitting in isolation, waiting for the outcome of a forced mental health assessment, she revisits a personal history she can only just remember, and examines the corner she feels she has been painted into”.
As with her critically acclaimed 2015 ARC production of The Art of Not Getting Lost, Vici’s new play is again partly based on her own experiences. Vici said, “I’m passionate that we create spaces to enable people to tell their own stories. It’s important to speak out both about mental health conditions as there should be no shame, but also about the cuts in services which are severely impacting on peoples’ lives.”
Vici is interested in the power of culture to bring about change, and has always championed disability equality and challenged discrimination and prejudice in her work. Her new play is supported by ARC’s Cultural Shift Programme funded by the Spirit of 2012, which is creating increased and improved opportunities for disabled people to get involved in the arts.
Butterfly is the first professional production created during the Cultural Shift programme at ARC Stockton. The project aims to challenge commonly held perceptions of disability and disabled people and also to increase opportunities for disabled people to take part in the arts.
Butterfly comes to ARC Stockton on 26 January at 7pm. Tickets are available on a Pay What You Decide basis – book in advance and pay what you want to after the show and can be booked from www.arconline.org.uk or 01642 525199
Reviews
"A powerful, dark, funny one woman drama exploring how we treat human beings in the 21st Century" Express North East
"What can I say about Butterfly....brilliant, just brilliant!" Audience Member, ARC
"Vici Wreford-Sinnott is an accomplished writer and knows her craft" Disability Arts Online
"Congratulations on a profoundly moving, thought provoking, illuminating, and emotionally intelligent play - Butterfly" Audience Member, Mental Health Practitioner, ARC
"A light hearted start to a complex, often emotional play, exploring mental health and stigma throughout the ages. A challenging important play." Review, Northern Echo
It’s not very often that David Bowie and the Bay City Rollers get mentioned in the same breath, but they both feature in the soundtrack of the central character’s life in Butterfly, a brand new tackling the stigma around mental health conditions, about to begin a national tour, starting at ARC Stockton.
Written and directed by playwright and theatre director, Vici Wreford-Sinnott, the one-woman play stars Jacqueline Phillips, who has an accomplished track record in theatre, TV and film work.
Vici, who has carved a successful career in ground-breaking theatre, said: “Butterfly is a play about the history of stigma, and is never more relevant in today’s austerity climate, with figures rising all the time of those experiencing mental health distress, facing ever-decreasing services. This new piece tackles the stigma surrounding mental health head on and aims to set the record straight”.
“Beatrice is the play’s central character, an unlikely heroine, and all she ever wanted was a quiet life, to stay under the radar and not the microscope. Now, sitting in isolation, waiting for the outcome of a forced mental health assessment, she revisits a personal history she can only just remember, and examines the corner she feels she has been painted into”.
As with her critically acclaimed 2015 ARC production of The Art of Not Getting Lost, Vici’s new play is again partly based on her own experiences. Vici said, “I’m passionate that we create spaces to enable people to tell their own stories. It’s important to speak out both about mental health conditions as there should be no shame, but also about the cuts in services which are severely impacting on peoples’ lives.”
Vici is interested in the power of culture to bring about change, and has always championed disability equality and challenged discrimination and prejudice in her work. Her new play is supported by ARC’s Cultural Shift Programme funded by the Spirit of 2012, which is creating increased and improved opportunities for disabled people to get involved in the arts.
Butterfly is the first professional production created during the Cultural Shift programme at ARC Stockton. The project aims to challenge commonly held perceptions of disability and disabled people and also to increase opportunities for disabled people to take part in the arts.
Butterfly comes to ARC Stockton on 26 January at 7pm. Tickets are available on a Pay What You Decide basis – book in advance and pay what you want to after the show and can be booked from www.arconline.org.uk or 01642 525199
Reviews
"A powerful, dark, funny one woman drama exploring how we treat human beings in the 21st Century" Express North East
"What can I say about Butterfly....brilliant, just brilliant!" Audience Member, ARC
"Vici Wreford-Sinnott is an accomplished writer and knows her craft" Disability Arts Online
"Congratulations on a profoundly moving, thought provoking, illuminating, and emotionally intelligent play - Butterfly" Audience Member, Mental Health Practitioner, ARC
"A light hearted start to a complex, often emotional play, exploring mental health and stigma throughout the ages. A challenging important play." Review, Northern Echo
Occupation, Moved Reading At ARC, 1 October 2015
By Pauline Heath
Cast: Mik Scarlet, Colleen Metcalfe, Charles Fennell, Jacqueline Phillips
A series of media red herrings has led to a circus mirror view of society in 21st century Britain.
In a world of sanctions, forced treatment, people sent to institutions on the other side of the country away from their families, communities divided and mothers forced to pay bedroom tax for deceased children, people are being pushed to the edge. They are being pushed onto the streets to make their voices heard. 'Human rights' are ridiculed and pushed into the same bracket as ‘political correctness gone mad’ to remove the human connection to real people. People who would never before have dreamed of attending a protest before are now gathering to speak out.
This new play focuses on how people have been affected by the cuts. And how it affects everybody, not just the minorities. Austerity is not just a quick fix; it is going to affect generations to come.
Occupation presents the real life experiences of disabled people near you and is presented as a rehearsed reading.
Please note: This performance is priced on a Pay What You Decide basis, click here to find out more.
By Pauline Heath. Writing Mentor & Director: Vici Wreford-Sinnott
Some notes from Cultural Shift Blog
Pauline Heath was with us this month in a residency to create a rehearsed reading of her first full length piece of theatre, Occupation, which explored the impact of austerity on disabled people’s lives.
Pauline received a grant from Arts Council England to develop her work, which included some stand up theatre for herself to perform and a piece of theatre that she would write and direct. A scratch of her one woman performance ‘Never-NeverLand’ had been incredibly well received at ARC in July so we were very excited about the full length show.
Four professional actors were cast: Mik Scarlet, Charlie Fennel, Colleen Metcalfe, and Jacqueline Phillips, before rehearsals began. Immediately from the first read through everyone was absolutely hooked. We all felt really passionate about the piece as it is so rare to have disabled peoples’ voices so prominently presented, and also it was so absolutely of its time, so contemporary that it was hard hitting and very honest. Much of the writing was taken directly from disabled peoples’ experiences – people Pauline and I had met, held workshops with or researched.
A genuine ensemble emerged on day one – we were a great team and felt very lucky to be able to work on such an important piece. Occupation centres itself at a disabled peoples’ rally, and focusses on four main characters Parent, Ex-soldier, Professional and Lost Youth and their stories and such a disabled-led experience is really to be treasured in a professional theatre context in the North East of England.
I wrote the following on Facebook the day after the show: “Last night is one of those moments in theatre practice you don't forget. There was a warmth and buzz of support from the audience, a full house, and such a commitment from the actors and production team to make Occupation by Pauline Heath a really good experience. The work is hard hitting and contains a powerful mix of statistics and reflections from Miss Maple, a democracy super sleuth based on 'the joker from Theatre of The Oppressed', as well as the poignant and outrageously shocking personal experiences of disabled people and their families experiencing the full impact of the cuts. The production handled these personal stories with respect and humility, and was careful not to portray the characters in sensational, salacious or pitiable ways.
“There were send ups of the charity and medical models of disability through dance, movement and discordant singing, and challenging perceptions of stereotypical media depictions of food bank users, war veterans, lost youth and the red tape surrounding disability support through silent film episodes. We used live camera feed for the intimate stories of the disabled people, highlighting the difference in how the media portrays disabled people and how they appear in their own voices unedited. This is also a Brechtian-style distancing effect, to attempt to avoid total catharsis in the viewer’s experience - as Miss Maple said by trying to remove the tissues from the issues! And at a mid-way point there was even an audience participation gameshow, indicating we all have a role to play in analysing the messages we are fed, and offering a reflective tool to the audience to process what is being said in the play overall. The gameshow brought hilarity and fantastic responses from our brave audience volunteers and everyone watching.
“Although this was a rehearsed reading, I think we did a pretty good job of making it an engaging theatrical experience. We really wanted the audience to engage with the piece and its message from the outset so asked them to sign petitions, to have their say on feedback sheets, and asked them to invest their thinking in the information and experiences being presented. Huge thanks to ARC, Stockton Arts Centre for their support of the development of this piece, and to the team there, and to Arts Council England who funded it.
“We feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Pauline to bring her piece to the stage, and to work with such a great team of actors, Mik Scarlet, Jacqueline Phillips, Colleen Cailin Metcalfe and Charlie Fennell, who really committed themselves to the work and gave performances they should be very proud of - sensitive, considered, hilarious, energised and supportive. The written feedback we received from the audience has been very very useful and incredibly encouraging. We want to take this piece further - there is definitely an audience out there and we've got ideas now about how we'd develop it further. Thanks everyone, sincerely, thank you.”
In a world of sanctions, forced treatment, people sent to institutions on the other side of the country away from their families, communities divided and mothers forced to pay bedroom tax for deceased children, people are being pushed to the edge. They are being pushed onto the streets to make their voices heard. 'Human rights' are ridiculed and pushed into the same bracket as ‘political correctness gone mad’ to remove the human connection to real people. People who would never before have dreamed of attending a protest before are now gathering to speak out.
This new play focuses on how people have been affected by the cuts. And how it affects everybody, not just the minorities. Austerity is not just a quick fix; it is going to affect generations to come.
Occupation presents the real life experiences of disabled people near you and is presented as a rehearsed reading.
Please note: This performance is priced on a Pay What You Decide basis, click here to find out more.
By Pauline Heath. Writing Mentor & Director: Vici Wreford-Sinnott
Some notes from Cultural Shift Blog
Pauline Heath was with us this month in a residency to create a rehearsed reading of her first full length piece of theatre, Occupation, which explored the impact of austerity on disabled people’s lives.
Pauline received a grant from Arts Council England to develop her work, which included some stand up theatre for herself to perform and a piece of theatre that she would write and direct. A scratch of her one woman performance ‘Never-NeverLand’ had been incredibly well received at ARC in July so we were very excited about the full length show.
Four professional actors were cast: Mik Scarlet, Charlie Fennel, Colleen Metcalfe, and Jacqueline Phillips, before rehearsals began. Immediately from the first read through everyone was absolutely hooked. We all felt really passionate about the piece as it is so rare to have disabled peoples’ voices so prominently presented, and also it was so absolutely of its time, so contemporary that it was hard hitting and very honest. Much of the writing was taken directly from disabled peoples’ experiences – people Pauline and I had met, held workshops with or researched.
A genuine ensemble emerged on day one – we were a great team and felt very lucky to be able to work on such an important piece. Occupation centres itself at a disabled peoples’ rally, and focusses on four main characters Parent, Ex-soldier, Professional and Lost Youth and their stories and such a disabled-led experience is really to be treasured in a professional theatre context in the North East of England.
I wrote the following on Facebook the day after the show: “Last night is one of those moments in theatre practice you don't forget. There was a warmth and buzz of support from the audience, a full house, and such a commitment from the actors and production team to make Occupation by Pauline Heath a really good experience. The work is hard hitting and contains a powerful mix of statistics and reflections from Miss Maple, a democracy super sleuth based on 'the joker from Theatre of The Oppressed', as well as the poignant and outrageously shocking personal experiences of disabled people and their families experiencing the full impact of the cuts. The production handled these personal stories with respect and humility, and was careful not to portray the characters in sensational, salacious or pitiable ways.
“There were send ups of the charity and medical models of disability through dance, movement and discordant singing, and challenging perceptions of stereotypical media depictions of food bank users, war veterans, lost youth and the red tape surrounding disability support through silent film episodes. We used live camera feed for the intimate stories of the disabled people, highlighting the difference in how the media portrays disabled people and how they appear in their own voices unedited. This is also a Brechtian-style distancing effect, to attempt to avoid total catharsis in the viewer’s experience - as Miss Maple said by trying to remove the tissues from the issues! And at a mid-way point there was even an audience participation gameshow, indicating we all have a role to play in analysing the messages we are fed, and offering a reflective tool to the audience to process what is being said in the play overall. The gameshow brought hilarity and fantastic responses from our brave audience volunteers and everyone watching.
“Although this was a rehearsed reading, I think we did a pretty good job of making it an engaging theatrical experience. We really wanted the audience to engage with the piece and its message from the outset so asked them to sign petitions, to have their say on feedback sheets, and asked them to invest their thinking in the information and experiences being presented. Huge thanks to ARC, Stockton Arts Centre for their support of the development of this piece, and to the team there, and to Arts Council England who funded it.
“We feel lucky to have had the opportunity to work with Pauline to bring her piece to the stage, and to work with such a great team of actors, Mik Scarlet, Jacqueline Phillips, Colleen Cailin Metcalfe and Charlie Fennell, who really committed themselves to the work and gave performances they should be very proud of - sensitive, considered, hilarious, energised and supportive. The written feedback we received from the audience has been very very useful and incredibly encouraging. We want to take this piece further - there is definitely an audience out there and we've got ideas now about how we'd develop it further. Thanks everyone, sincerely, thank you.”
Los Muertos
Full Circle Ensemble
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Los Muertos is Full Circle’s new play, devised by the ensemble and directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott. It is set in a small Mexican village on the celebration of the Day of the Dead.
The production tells the stories of what happens when a whole village falls under the power of dark forces; of the White Lady, a traditional Mexican ghost, denied a relationship with her Lost Love; of two most unusual ghost hunters; and, a gaggle of giddy skeletons. The action takes place in the shadows of the House on the Hill. Will any of them ever be free of the Puppetmeister who tries to control them all? The piece represents Full Circle’s second large scale production. After the success of their production of The Lab last year, the group knew they wanted to continue to develop their own unique style of devised theatre. They have worked hard all year on a range of theatre skills, including mask work, physical theatre, improvising, movement, dance and digital work. The group were again keen to develop a lively colourful show with both comic elements and pathos. |
The Lab
Full Circle Ensemble
The Lab is an exciting piece of physical theatre created in collaboration between Little Cog and Full Circle Drama Group. The audience is invited to enter Compound 49, a top secret laboratory and research centre dedicated to detecting alien life forms. A team of dedicated scientists have been given a strange device of unknown origin. With a strong soundtrack, events unfold through the performers skill in mask work, physical theatre and live feed news reporting. However not everything is what it seems, the planet is at risk, who can save it?
The Lab has been supported by ARC, Stockton Borough Council and Arts Council England and devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
Full Circle Theatre Group is based at ARC and was set up in 2008 by two of the groups’ members with the support of Stockton Borough Council Adult Services, and Development Officers Caroline Rankin and Alan Pearson, who have now also been joined by Marty Maenami. The group is committed to promoting and valuing people with learning disabilities, their creativity and their voices. The group creates new and original work, with scripting and devising being carried out by group members. ARC, Stockton have also supported the group in their artistic endeavours and have previously successfully gained funding from Northern Rock to enable the group to work with a performing arts practitioner.
The Lab has been supported by ARC, Stockton Borough Council and Arts Council England and devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
Full Circle Theatre Group is based at ARC and was set up in 2008 by two of the groups’ members with the support of Stockton Borough Council Adult Services, and Development Officers Caroline Rankin and Alan Pearson, who have now also been joined by Marty Maenami. The group is committed to promoting and valuing people with learning disabilities, their creativity and their voices. The group creates new and original work, with scripting and devising being carried out by group members. ARC, Stockton have also supported the group in their artistic endeavours and have previously successfully gained funding from Northern Rock to enable the group to work with a performing arts practitioner.
Matryoshka by Alison Carr
Arc Stockton and Bishop Auckland Community Hall
Arc Stockton and Bishop Auckland Community Hall
With exquisite poetic writing from Alison Carr, Matryoshka is a contemporary devised piece combining physicality, soundscape, film and image to give a platform to hidden voices. It explores the Russian Doll in all of us. A dynamic and talented cast tackle the role of a changing landscape in shaping identity, and iconic and not so well known moments in history that have shaped our experience.
About Alison Carr
She survived a hit and run car when she was 9 years old. After being in a coma for several weeks, her life was changed forever but Alison has gone on to be one of our region's most prolific poets with a unique voice, and particulary exploring ideas around identity. Her unique style has attracted a number of significant supporters, such as Wendy Robertson, Avril Joy, Andy Croft (Smokestack Books), Bob Beagrie (Ek Zuban) and Mudfog Press. Alison believes that writing chose her. She is much published in anthologies, her own play Coal Dust Whisper's Song was published by Mudfog Press in 2010, she has won literary prizes and in more recent years has turned her attention to the construction of performance pieces with artistic collaborators, using poetry, music, sound, and visuals.
About Little Cog
Little Cog is a dynamic disabled led theatre company based in the Tees Valley, set up unde the creative direction of award winning theatre director, Vici Wreford-Sinnott. This is the third piece of theatre Vici has collaborated with Alison on, having previously directed Coal Dust Whisper's Song and Behind the Masque. Vici has also recently directed The Lab with Full Circle Theatre Company at ARC and presented a reading of her own new play, The Art of Not Getting Lost.The company works in a number of artforms including theatre, digital film and photography, visual art, temporary installations and living performance interventions. Little Cog is committed to curiosity, physicality and the disability aesthetic, producing fresh, inspiring work which engages, cheers, provokes and creates change. We have enough mischief to create a cultural landscape without limitations.
About Alison Carr
She survived a hit and run car when she was 9 years old. After being in a coma for several weeks, her life was changed forever but Alison has gone on to be one of our region's most prolific poets with a unique voice, and particulary exploring ideas around identity. Her unique style has attracted a number of significant supporters, such as Wendy Robertson, Avril Joy, Andy Croft (Smokestack Books), Bob Beagrie (Ek Zuban) and Mudfog Press. Alison believes that writing chose her. She is much published in anthologies, her own play Coal Dust Whisper's Song was published by Mudfog Press in 2010, she has won literary prizes and in more recent years has turned her attention to the construction of performance pieces with artistic collaborators, using poetry, music, sound, and visuals.
About Little Cog
Little Cog is a dynamic disabled led theatre company based in the Tees Valley, set up unde the creative direction of award winning theatre director, Vici Wreford-Sinnott. This is the third piece of theatre Vici has collaborated with Alison on, having previously directed Coal Dust Whisper's Song and Behind the Masque. Vici has also recently directed The Lab with Full Circle Theatre Company at ARC and presented a reading of her own new play, The Art of Not Getting Lost.The company works in a number of artforms including theatre, digital film and photography, visual art, temporary installations and living performance interventions. Little Cog is committed to curiosity, physicality and the disability aesthetic, producing fresh, inspiring work which engages, cheers, provokes and creates change. We have enough mischief to create a cultural landscape without limitations.
Matryoshka by Alison Carr. L-R Ellie Crawford, Alison Carr, Ree Collins
