Page 19 - Community Living Issue 31-3

being seen: tv and theatre

creativity of people with learning disabilities
to steer the connection between
accessibility and aesthetics more effectively;
this is needed to radically challenge
preconceived notions of the way we make
theatre and the kind of theatre we make.
Ramps on the Moon in many ways
seeks to include disabled performers
within an existing canon of work and
within conventions of performance (large
stages/scripted plays) which may,
ultimately, be inaccessible for many
performers with learning disabilities.
Finally, we have seen a growth in the
representation of people with learning
disabilities on TV – but a closer analysis Spoken word artist, performer and activist Vicki Taylor (centre) in On the Road to Belonging
shows this is mainly people with Down’s
syndrome. From No Offence (about a serial “I also want to be an actor so that in and creating performance work. The
killer who targets young women with people can see me in a different way ultimate goal may be fame and TV
Down’s syndrome), to Call The Midwife – as someone who is capable of acting appearances, but diversification brings
and within our soaps, the prominence of and inspiring to audience members. If changes to perceptions, and growth in
Down’s syndrome is undeniable. people knew me as a reputable actor skill, ability and confidence.
Why is this? Down’s syndrome is easy to who is well known, then I think they ● ●Support provided by a variety of
recognise and to categorise. In many would think more positively about who agencies and individuals to nurture the
ways, it is the presentable face of learning I am and my abilities and potential. development of performers in ways that
disability, and other people with other “I think most people see me for my are appropriate to their skills and
kinds of conditions are excluded. disabilities and what I struggle with, abilities – including Open Theatre
rather than what I can do.” Company’s work as a creative enabler.
seeing themselves ● ●The willingness to explore new ways of
How does this context affect the Rishard Beckett, who appeared in No theatre-making that begin to
performers with learning disabilities we Offence, has continued to pursue his acting revolutionise our understanding of
work with? How do they see themselves career in a variety of ways. He has teamed performance work.
in the work they do and how do they up with another professional performer
think others see them? (without learning disabilities); they are in The ultimate goal of being famous or
Nicky Priest as Mad Hatter: Kate Green; Richard Beckett poster: Mel Smith; workshop: Reel Access; Vicki Taylor: Work in Progress
Nicky Priest, a stand-up comedian and the middle of creating their second semi- appearing on TV is achievable by a
actor, who recently performed in Seven improvised performance piece together. minority of the many young people I work
Acts of Mercy at the Royal Shakespeare Beckett is not just part of the professional with. This does not mean, however, that
Theatre, says: team of actors involved in Open Theatre all the others are not skilled, creative or
Company’s current production – he is also able to contribute to the cultural life of our
“I want to be a famous TV actor more the visible, recognisable face of Coventry’s country – but we have to discover, support
than anything and it’s really important recent successful bid to become City of and nurture new ways of doing this.
for me to be able to earn a living doing Culture 2021. This shift in thinking is the same shift
this kind of work. Performing has been yet he says – and has been saying since that is needed to accept the differences at
something that has become a big part the age of 12 – that his ultimate goal is to the heart of learning disabilities so it
of my life, and has been something that appear in EastEnders, to the extent of would feel comfortable to sit next to
has helped me through my life. knowing which family in that soap he someone who is bouncing up and down
“As I have Asperger’s syndrome, wants to be part of. on their chair and shouting loudly at the
drama was something that had always He acknowledges the growth in his next performance we visit. Or where the
helped me come out of my shell and be confidence in recent years resulted from fact that a show has performers with
more sociable with people. I’m his acting work. When asked what he learning disabilities in it is a marketing
convinced that people see me in a much does, he unflinchingly says: “I am an tool to bring in audiences with high
more positive way because of seeing actor.” He understands now that other expectations of the quality of work they
me as an actor.” actors can learn from the way he acts and will enjoy, rather than a warning that may
that all the varied work he is doing is part put them off coming. n
Vicki Taylor, a Birmingham-based of his journey to reach his goal. ● Open Theatre Company:
spoken word artist, performer and Facebook https://facebook.com/
activist, is less concerned about being common threads in success opentheatrecomp/
famous but says: Where does this leave us? Many individual t @Open_Theatre_Co
responses fly in the face of my more cynical
“I want to be an actor because I love and critical analysis of the state of play. Richard Hayhow is director of Midlands-
performing and I like exploring new The common threads that run through the based Open Theatre Company, which
concepts and new characters and it helps success stories of these three people are: supports the professional careers of young
me to process life events and situations ● ●A willingness to diversify their practice people with learning disabilities to make
that I may otherwise struggle with. to include a variety of ways of engaging them employable in the industry

www.cl-initiatives.co.uk Community Living Vol 31 No 3 | Spring 2018 19