Below you’ll find all of our upcoming events, performances, participatory projects and festivals…
Part of A Bit Of A Do – a 3 day mini-festival of theatre, dance and cabaret by artists and companies with and without disabilities. (full details of festival below)
As part of A Bit Of A Do festival, we are hosting a D&D event with Improbable. D&D uses Open Space to facilitate conversations and discussions – empowering people to engage with issues, and to take responsibility for making better theatre and making theatre better.
What can we do to bring disability arts into the mainstream and support disabled artists, audiences and participants?
2019 sees the third year of A Bit Of A Do – a mini-festival of performances from artists and companies with and without disabilities. This year we have asked Improbable to return to the festival to host an open space event to discuss how we can make the arts more accessible to artists, audiences and participants who are disabled, d/Deaf and visually impaired. We want to address how we can breakdown barriers between disability arts and the so-called ‘mainstream’. Can we imagine a future in which all arts events and activities are accessible to everyone? And a time when there is no longer a distinction between ‘disability arts’ and the ‘mainstream’?
Some issues that are up for us include:
- Accessibility for audiences and artists (including publicity material);
- How collaborations between disabled and non-disabled artists and companies can remove barriers and help do away with labels;
- The role of programmers and producers in including disabled and non-disabled artists on the same platforms / line-ups (without labels, or ‘disability seasons’);
- More diversity in decision-making, planning, programming and producing at all levels;
- Where to get quality training in providing all round access for events, festivals and venues;
You might have some thoughts, answers or questions of your own to share – this event is all about us doing the work together on the things we really care about. We’d like to invite anyone who works in the arts and has an interest in or connection to disability to come and join the conversation. Whether you’re an artist with a disability, work with an organisation supporting artists with disabilities, work for a local council, are a carer… or connected to / passionate about disability arts in any other way.
BSL / English interpreters available
AGE GUIDANCE: 18+ (This session is open to artists and arts professionals)
***THIS EVENT IS FREE. HOWEVER, WE WELCOME DONATIONS TO HELP US CONTINUE OUR WORK. We are a registered charity, creating live events, supporting emerging artists and empowering people with disabilities to create and access theatre and dance. All donations will be used to further this work – to help us make this year’s festival amazing, and to make sure we can do it again in 2020!
This event is part of A BIT OF A DO
5-7 July 2019
At Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
For full line-up, schedule and free booking details please visit www.drunkenchorus.co.uk.
DIRECTIONS
Venue Address: Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
Train: Norwood Junction Station (National Rail, London Overground)
Bus: 196, 410 (both immediately outside venue)
Accessibility:
The building is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets. Seating is cabaret style, with moveable chairs, and all on one level.
All performances feature British Sign Language and/or English interpretation. Select performances and workshops include supported access for visually impaired audiences.
We will have a specially trained festival front of house team, who will be on hand to support with access.
If you have questions about access please contact Chris Williams, who is our designated access officer for the event – email chris@drunkenchorus.co.uk.
A Bit Of A Do is supported by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, Croydon Council, Stanley Halls, Croydon Mencap and Willow Learning for Life.
Part of A Bit Of A Do – a 3 day mini-festival of theatre, dance and cabaret by artists and companies with and without disabilities. (full details of festival below)
Join this special inclusive drop in workshop to make a film and learn about filmmaking techniques.
Free to attend, drop in at any time. (Whilst booking is not essential, we recommend booking a place as this will help us plan for your visit)
Sparks run fun film workshops across London over weekends, school holidays and with school and charity partners.
BSL / English interpreters available
AGE GUIDANCE: Open to all ages
***THIS EVENT IS FREE. HOWEVER, WE WELCOME DONATIONS TO HELP US CONTINUE OUR WORK. We are a registered charity, creating live events, supporting emerging artists and empowering people with disabilities to create and access theatre and dance. All donations will be used to further this work – to help us make this year’s festival amazing, and to make sure we can do it again in 2020!
This event is part of A BIT OF A DO
5-7 July 2019
At Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
For full line-up, schedule and free booking details please visit www.drunkenchorus.co.uk.
DIRECTIONS
Venue Address: Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
Train: Norwood Junction Station (National Rail, London Overground)
Bus: 196, 410 (both immediately outside venue)
Accessibility:
The building is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets. Seating is cabaret style, with moveable chairs, and all on one level.
All performances feature British Sign Language and/or English interpretation. Select performances and workshops include supported access for visually impaired audiences.
We will have a specially trained festival front of house team, who will be on hand to support with access.
If you have questions about access please contact Chris Williams, who is our designated access officer for the event – email chris@drunkenchorus.co.uk.
A Bit Of A Do is supported by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, Croydon Council, Stanley Halls, Croydon Mencap and Willow Learning for Life.
Part of A Bit Of A Do – a 3 day mini-festival of theatre, dance and cabaret by artists and companies with and without disabilities. (full details of festival below)
Join us for A Bit Of A Knees Up – to celebrate the opening night of A Bit Of A Do 2019!
Featuring sign song and comedy from Caroline Parker, absurdist cabaret from Reach Theatre Company, Ted the Unisheep (from the weird and wonderful mind of Sasha Mulvey), stand-up from Don Biswas, surreal performance from DISCO DISCO and all-singing, all-dancing, lip-syncing cabaret from Ebony Rose Dark.
BSL / English interpreted
Includes performances in British Sign Language
Supported access for visually impaired audiences.
AGE GUIDANCE: Evening events are recommended as 16+ due to some adult content
***THIS EVENT IS FREE. HOWEVER, WE WELCOME DONATIONS TO HELP US CONTINUE OUR WORK. We are a registered charity, creating live events, supporting emerging artists and empowering people with disabilities to create and access theatre and dance. All donations will be used to further this work – to help us make this year’s festival amazing, and to make sure we can do it again in 2020!
This event is part of A BIT OF A DO
5-7 July 2019
At Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
For full line-up, schedule and free booking details please visit www.drunkenchorus.co.uk.
DIRECTIONS
Venue Address: Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
Train: Norwood Junction Station (National Rail, London Overground)
Bus: 196, 410 (both immediately outside venue)
Accessibility:
The building is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets. Seating is cabaret style, with moveable chairs, and all on one level.
All performances feature British Sign Language and/or English interpretation. Select performances and workshops include supported access for visually impaired audiences.
We will have a specially trained festival front of house team, who will be on hand to support with access.
If you have questions about access please contact Chris Williams, who is our designated access officer for the event – email chris@drunkenchorus.co.uk.
A Bit Of A Do is supported by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, Croydon Council, Stanley Halls, Croydon Mencap and Willow Learning for Life.
Part of A Bit Of A Do – a 3 day mini-festival of theatre, dance and cabaret by artists and companies with and without disabilities. (full details of festival below)
An accessible theatre workshop for artists and performers with Extant. Booking required.
BSL / English interpreters available
Supported access for visually impaired audiences.
AGE GUIDANCE: 18+
***THIS EVENT IS FREE. HOWEVER, WE WELCOME DONATIONS TO HELP US CONTINUE OUR WORK. We are a registered charity, creating live events, supporting emerging artists and empowering people with disabilities to create and access theatre and dance. All donations will be used to further this work – to help us make this year’s festival amazing, and to make sure we can do it again in 2020!
This event is part of A BIT OF A DO
5-7 July 2019
At Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
For full line-up, schedule and free booking details please visit www.drunkenchorus.co.uk.
DIRECTIONS
Venue Address: Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
Train: Norwood Junction Station (National Rail, London Overground)
Bus: 196, 410 (both immediately outside venue)
Accessibility:
The building is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets. Seating is cabaret style, with moveable chairs, and all on one level.
All performances feature British Sign Language and/or English interpretation. Select performances and workshops include supported access for visually impaired audiences.
We will have a specially trained festival front of house team, who will be on hand to support with access.
If you have questions about access please contact Chris Williams, who is our designated access officer for the event – email chris@drunkenchorus.co.uk.
A Bit Of A Do is supported by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, Croydon Council, Stanley Halls, Croydon Mencap and Willow Learning for Life.
Part of A Bit Of A Do – a 3 day mini-festival of theatre, dance and cabaret by artists and companies with and without disabilities. (full details of festival below)
A double-bill of new theatre pieces exploring mental health:
CATCHING THE GHOST by Chris Campion / Extant
Catching the Ghost is the debut play from Chris Campion, a visually impaired actor and musician from London. Highlights from this production describe the complex journey of a young man (Chris) whose gradual loss of sight takes him through an uncompromising experience of depression and split identity. Packed with acute observations and sharp humour, the production also features original music, composed and performed by Chris.
“[a] beautiful piece of comedy/music/confessional theatre”
“the most honest, moving & open show I’ve ever seen”
Directed by Maria Oshodi and produced by Extant, the UK’s leading performing arts company of visually impaired artists www.extant.org.uk
IT Hz by StammerMouth
Intrusive Thoughts SUCK. It’s time for revenge.
Currently under the working title IT Hz (formerly ‘Fluff’), StammerMouth’s newest production is a one-man immersive work-in-progress performance – we are going to capture an intrusive thought and kill it dead.
Funded by Unlimited’s R+D grant. In association with Wales Millennium Centre. Developed with Duncan Hallis and George Soave.
BSL / English interpreted
Supported access for visually impaired audiences.
AGE GUIDANCE: 16+
***THIS EVENT IS FREE. HOWEVER, WE WELCOME DONATIONS TO HELP US CONTINUE OUR WORK. We are a registered charity, creating live events, supporting emerging artists and empowering people with disabilities to create and access theatre and dance. All donations will be used to further this work – to help us make this year’s festival amazing, and to make sure we can do it again in 2020!
This event is part of A BIT OF A DO
5-7 July 2019
At Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
For full line-up, schedule and free booking details please visit www.drunkenchorus.co.uk.
DIRECTIONS
Venue Address: Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
Train: Norwood Junction Station (National Rail, London Overground)
Bus: 196, 410 (both immediately outside venue)
Accessibility:
The building is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets. Seating is cabaret style, with moveable chairs, and all on one level.
All performances feature British Sign Language and/or English interpretation. Select performances and workshops include supported access for visually impaired audiences.
We will have a specially trained festival front of house team, who will be on hand to support with access.
If you have questions about access please contact Chris Williams, who is our designated access officer for the event – email chris@drunkenchorus.co.uk.
A Bit Of A Do is supported by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, Croydon Council, Stanley Halls, Croydon Mencap and Willow Learning for Life.
Part of A Bit Of A Do – a 3 day mini-festival of theatre, dance and cabaret by artists and companies with and without disabilities. (full details of festival below)
A double-bill of performance and dance, exploring dystopian societies…
INSTAGRAMMING THE APOCALYPSE by Byron Vincent
Who do you trust when the news is fake, you’re partner is cheating on you and global politics is an exploding clown car? Byron Vincent is diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, but with dying icons, impending climate catastrophe and that bloke from Home Alone Two in charge of worlds largest nuclear arsenal; isn’t abject panic the only sane response?
It’s a glib postmodern world in which cynicism is cool, modern life is rubbish and sincerity is for suckers; but as concepts like truth, peace and hope become risible anachronisms, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate our perspective. In a post-satire age, what’s so funny about peace love and understanding?
Byron Vincent is a multi-award winning writer, performer and broadcaster. He has written for the Guardian and Radio 4, and is a campaigner on issues around mental health and poverty.
SIGN LANGUAGE by Billy Read, Ariel Fung and Chris Fonseca
Sign language is banned and deaf people are on the run. What happens to the Sign Criminal…
Billy Read is a profoundly deaf street dancer, collaborating with Ariel Fung from Hang Kong and Chris Fonseca. Together they create amazing street dance, using tutting, mime and sign language.
Includes performances in British Sign Language
BSL / English interpreted
AGE GUIDANCE: 16+
***THIS EVENT IS FREE. HOWEVER, WE WELCOME DONATIONS TO HELP US CONTINUE OUR WORK. We are a registered charity, creating live events, supporting emerging artists and empowering people with disabilities to create and access theatre and dance. All donations will be used to further this work – to help us make this year’s festival amazing, and to make sure we can do it again in 2020!
This event is part of A BIT OF A DO
5-7 July 2019
At Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
For full line-up, schedule and free booking details please visit www.drunkenchorus.co.uk.
DIRECTIONS
Venue Address: Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
Train: Norwood Junction Station (National Rail, London Overground)
Bus: 196, 410 (both immediately outside venue)
Accessibility:
The building is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets. Seating is cabaret style, with moveable chairs, and all on one level.
All performances feature British Sign Language and/or English interpretation. Select performances and workshops include supported access for visually impaired audiences.
We will have a specially trained festival front of house team, who will be on hand to support with access.
If you have questions about access please contact Chris Williams, who is our designated access officer for the event – email chris@drunkenchorus.co.uk.
A Bit Of A Do is supported by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, Croydon Council, Stanley Halls, Croydon Mencap and Willow Learning for Life.
Part of A Bit Of A Do – a 3 day mini-festival of theatre, dance and cabaret by artists and companies with and without disabilities. (full details of festival below)
New performances by young theatre and dance companies.
JOURNEY TO THE HIGHEST PEAK by SLiDE
South London Inclusive Dance Experience (SLiDE) is a Croydon based dance company working with disabled and non disabled people, professional and non-professional dancers. SLiDE have several programmes of dance classes and projects for people aged 14 to 95 alongside performance projects for local and national audiences.
Journey to The Highest Peak is the current piece by SLiDE’s youth dance company. Choreographed by Jodie Cole and Gemma Coldicott the piece explores the euphoria and despondency of taking on life’s challenges.
MAGPIE DANCE
Magpie Dance is the UK’s leading dance charity for people with learning disabilities. Magpie believe that a learning disability should not be a barrier to personal and artistic success and their mission is to enable people with learning disabilities to reach their full personal, social and artistic potential through dance. The Magpie Youth Technique group is for young people who have shown an aptitude and commitment to dance.
More companies to be announced soon.
BSL / English interpreted
AGE GUIDANCE: Open to all ages
***THIS EVENT IS FREE. HOWEVER, WE WELCOME DONATIONS TO HELP US CONTINUE OUR WORK. We are a registered charity, creating live events, supporting emerging artists and empowering people with disabilities to create and access theatre and dance. All donations will be used to further this work – to help us make this year’s festival amazing, and to make sure we can do it again in 2020!
This event is part of A BIT OF A DO
5-7 July 2019
At Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
For full line-up, schedule and free booking details please visit www.drunkenchorus.co.uk.
DIRECTIONS
Venue Address: Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
Train: Norwood Junction Station (National Rail, London Overground)
Bus: 196, 410 (both immediately outside venue)
Accessibility:
The building is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets. Seating is cabaret style, with moveable chairs, and all on one level.
All performances feature British Sign Language and/or English interpretation. Select performances and workshops include supported access for visually impaired audiences.
We will have a specially trained festival front of house team, who will be on hand to support with access.
If you have questions about access please contact Chris Williams, who is our designated access officer for the event – email chris@drunkenchorus.co.uk.
A Bit Of A Do is supported by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, Croydon Council, Stanley Halls, Croydon Mencap and Willow Learning for Life.
Part of A Bit Of A Do – a 3 day mini-festival of theatre, dance and cabaret by artists and companies with and without disabilities. (full details of festival below)
BSL / English interpreted
AGE GUIDANCE: 16+
A triple-bill of new contemporary dance performances:
Candoco Dance Company presents
A GRACEFUL ACT OF STUPIDITY by Tom Roden
This is a big welcome aboard. We promise a flight like no other.
Join our two flight attendants as they take you on a journey that slips seamlessly between the everyday and the poetic. Brace yourself for a playful, yet poignant ride on this most unusual aeroplane, fast-propelling you towards the inevitable.
Danced with charm and cheek, the two performers interweave delicious full- bodied dancing with spoken word, gestural detail and British Sign Language. This masterful choreography is a microcosm of joy and pathos.
A Graceful Act of Stupidity is your entire life in a moment. It’s time to check-in.
Candoco Dance Company created a sensation last year when it became the first contemporary dance company to perform on Strictly Come Dancing. Candoco collaborates with the most exciting choreographers and artists of our time to present distinctive performances and meaningful learning experiences that expand perceptions of #whatdancecanbe.
ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM by Lanre Malaolu
Fusing physical theatre, hip hop dance and spoken word, Elephant in the Room is an explosive solo that explores the mental health crisis and the phenomenon of toxic masculinity.
Lanre Malaolu is an award-winning director, choreographer and performance artist working across theatre and film. His work has been supported/commissioned by arts organisations such as, The Old Vic, The Place, The Royal Court, The British Film Institute, Sadler’s Wells and Talawa Theatre. His work has been performed and screened internationally in Italy, Barcelona, Toronto, NYC, Miami and Zanzibar.
THIS IS IT by Typhaine Delaup and Virginia Scudeletti.
This is it unravels the relationship between two women: who they are and who they represent for each other constantly evolves.
Typhaine and Virginia are not trying to be anything more than themselves, however childish, immature, loving or destabilising they can be to themselves and each other.
This project synthesises their experiences in the improvisation field, breaking the traditional form of the Soundpainting language into a unique movement based improvised duo.
Since 2017 they have been developing their own practice: a research in performance and education under the name Conducting with the Body. The project has been supported by numerous dance houses in the UK and Europe (Edinburgh Dance Base, Teatro Carlo Felice, TripSpace Project, Yorkshire Dance, Pavilion Dance South West).
***THIS EVENT IS FREE. HOWEVER, WE WELCOME DONATIONS TO HELP US CONTINUE OUR WORK. We are a registered charity, creating live events, supporting emerging artists and empowering people with disabilities to create and access theatre and dance. All donations will be used to further this work – to help us make this year’s festival amazing, and to make sure we can do it again in 2020!
This event is part of A BIT OF A DO
5-7 July 2019
At Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
For full line-up, schedule and free booking details please visit www.drunkenchorus.co.uk.
DIRECTIONS
Venue Address: Stanley Halls, South Norwood, London SE25 6AB
Train: Norwood Junction Station (National Rail, London Overground)
Bus: 196, 410 (both immediately outside venue)
Accessibility:
The building is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets. Seating is cabaret style, with moveable chairs, and all on one level.
All performances feature British Sign Language and/or English interpretation. Select performances and workshops include supported access for visually impaired audiences.
We will have a specially trained festival front of house team, who will be on hand to support with access.
If you have questions about access please contact Chris Williams, who is our designated access officer for the event – email chris@drunkenchorus.co.uk.
A Bit Of A Do is supported by Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, Croydon Council, Stanley Halls, Croydon Mencap and Willow Learning for Life.