living without fear - disability arts...
TRANSCRIPT
LIVING WITHOUT FEAR Production Support Pack
The Order of Malta Volunteers presents
Living Without Fear
By Blue Apple Theatre
Wednesday 26th March 2014 at Westminster Cathedral Hall Blending drama and dance, humour and tragedy, the performance challenges and empowers each one of us to end disability hate crime.
Director: Peter Clerke Choreography: Jo Harris Production Manager: Ben Ward Design: Su Houser LX Design: Mark Dymock Stage Manager: Joe Price
Quotes About Living Without Fear (2013 Tour) “Startling. Wonderful. One of the most powerful performances seen in Winchester for many years.” The Hampshire Chronicle
“A profoundly moving and challenging production. It deserves to be seen by a wide audience.” Professor Lord Alton “One of the most powerful presentations that I have seen and it reminded me so powerfully of the talents and potential amongst people with learning disability. “ Dame Philippa Russell DBE, Chair, Standing Commission on Carers “This is spookily accurate...really, really realistic, you cannot re-create this experience. Police officers should see this portrayal and the impact it has on a person.” Police Officer, Nettley, Hampshire Police HQ “The play is remarkable at so many different levels – it is genuinely a prophetic work'” Revd Canon David Williams “Very thought provoking, beautiful dancing, fantastic acting. I would like to see more.” Member, Surrey partnership board “I was struck by the strong message and how simply it was put across. All staff should have the opportunity to see this production.” Surrey Safeguarding Advisor “They are such an inspiring group.” Dame Anne Begg, Chair of Work and Pensions Select Committee “Moving, sad, upsetting and really hard hitting. It made me think very hard about how people view and see disabled people through their own eyes.” “Very powerful – first class theatre” “Best atmosphere I’ve ever been in, in a theatre”
“Very moving production. We don’t know enough about what is going on in our neighbourhoods. “ “The production was all the more powerful because all the actors had disabilities. They all performed to a very high standard.”
About Blue Apple and previous work "Fabulous. A triumph for the cast, for BBC Three and everyone involved in this life-enhancing project" The Times “Blue Apple is not just a Winchester phenomenon, it is a national phenomenon. “ Steve Brine MP
“What is fantastic about this group of extremely talented people is that no play or issue is too difficult for them to perform. “ George Hollingberry MP “Transforms our understanding of people with disability.”
“Amazing! I was surprised about how passionate the actors were and their level of understanding”
“I think it is an excellent organisation, not only providing opportunities for those with learning disabilities, but also producing plays with a strong social message.” “As a teacher, they are role models for my pupils”
About Living Without Fear Living Without Fear presents the experiences of young adults with learning disability trying to lead independent lives in the face of daily harassment and prejudice. Blending drama and dance, humour and tragedy, the performance challenges and empowers each one of us to end disability hate crime.
Living Without Fear is designed to offer insight and improve understanding within the professional and wider community of what it is to live with a learning disability.
Living Without Fear raises important questions where there may not be easy answers. Most of all we hope this production will encourage everyone to take people with learning disability seriously and to listen and at least investigate if alarm bells ring in your head – for, yes, disability hate crime does happen.
Living Without Fear is produced in response to Royal Mencap’s national ‘Stand by Me’ campaign and gratefully acknowledges the contribution of Hampshire Police.
Living Without Fear returns in a new version touring in 2014, after two hugely successful runs in 2013 and 2011. This original writing by William Jessop and inspired direction by Peter Clerke tell the true story of what is happening in the lives of people with learning disabilities today. Great for all audiences and for training.
Actors from Blue Apple’s touring company, who themselves have learning disabilities, bring an authentic voice to this fearless and empowering examination of disability hate crime and harassment. Public and professional people of all ages, abilities, disabilities and backgrounds should see this and add their voice to the debate. Everyone has the right to live without fear. How can we help vulnerable people live safely and without fear? How do we listen where words are few and stories are incomplete?
Date & Timings Wednesday 26th March 2014 7.15pm – Pre-show drinks
8pm – Performance start
9pm – Post-show Q&A
Location Westminster Cathedral Hall
Ambrosden Avenue, SW1P 1QH
Directions The front entrance to the hall is in Ambrosden Avenue, SW1P 1QH. Access is from Victoria St or Francis St.
Public Transport Victoria (mainline and underground) and St James’ Park are less than five minutes walk. Buses no 11,24,211 and 507 stop immediately in front of the Cathedral Piazza on Victoria Street.
Parking There are limited numbers of parking meters for cars in adjacent streets.
Tickets Adults £15 Concessions £10 (Seniors, students, OMV members, disability badge holders)
Tickets are available from www.omv.org.uk
Production Notes STORY
Living Without Fear presents the experiences of young adults with learning disability trying to lead independent lives in the face of daily harassment and prejudice. Blending drama and dance, humour and tragedy, the performance challenges and empowers each one of us to end disability hate crime.
PRODUCTION STYLE Blending drama and dance, humour and tragedy, the performance challenges and empowers each one of us to end disability hate crime.
STAGING
Developed in partnership with Hampshire police, Living Without Fear is a 45 minute touring production fully self-contained, with lights and sound.
CAST & COMPANY
Six actors from Blue Apple’s touring company, who themselves have learning disabilities, bring an authentic voice to this fearless and empowering examination of disability hate crime, mate crime and harassment. DURATION
45 minutes (no interval)
Please note:
No photography film, video or flash of any kind will be permitted during the performance, not even by mobile phone. This is for copyright and protection reasons and is in line with usual theatre practice. We aim to produce a DVD of the show, available for purchase.
Event copy for publicity Advert/poster/flyer: Blue Apple Theatre and OMV presents
Living Without Fear by Will Jessop
Produced with support from The Order of Malta Volunteers
Wednesday 26th March 2014 at Westminster Cathedral Hall
7.15pm Drinks 8pm Performance 8.45pm Post-show Q&A
Blending drama and dance, humour and tragedy, the performance challenges and empowers each one of us to end disability hate crime.
Tickets | £15 adults | £10 concessions
Tickets & more info | www.OMV.org.uk
Location: Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue, SW1P 1QH
Everyone has the right to live without fear. How do we listen where words are few and stories are incomplete?
OMV mail-out: Subject: The OMV host Blue Apple theatre company at Westminster Hall Dear OMV member, The OMV are delighted to invite you to ‘Living Without Fear’ – a powerful new play that aims to change attitudes towards learning disabilities, Blending drama and dance, humour and tragedy, ‘Living Without Fear’ tells the inside story of the prejudice, bullying, and discrimination faced by young people with learning disabilities.
“Startling. Wonderful. One of the most powerful performances.” The Hampshire Chronicle
The play is being staged by Blue Apple Theatre, one of the leading disability arts companies in the South. Six actors, who themselves have learning disabilities, bring an authentic voice to this fearless and empowering examination of disability hate crime and harassment "Fabulous. A triumph for the cast, and everyone involved in this life-enhancing project" The Times Please join us for the London premiere of ‘Living Without Fear’ on Wednesday 27th March 2014 at Westminster Cathedral Hall at 8pm There will be a pre-show drinks reception from 7.15pm, and a post-show Q&A after the performance.
Tickets are available from www.omg.org.uk and are only £10 for OMV members.
There will be a bar open from 7.15pm serving wine and soft drinks, so please do join us to see this inspiring performance, and for drinks before and afterwards!
Details: 7.15pm – Pre-show drinks
8pm – Performance
8.45pm – Post-show Q&A with Blue Apple Director and cast
Tickets : £15 adults | £10 concessions (OMV, Seniors, Students)
Tickets & more info : www.OMV.org.uk
Location: Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue, SW1P 1QH
Nearest tube: Victoria
Everyone has the right to live without fear. How do we listen where words are few and stories are incomplete?
FACEBOOK Event: The Order of Malta Volunteers are delighted to invite you to
“Living Without Fear“ - a new play that aims to change attitudes towards learning disabilities – performed by Blue Apple Theatre
“Startling. Wonderful. One of the most powerful performances”
Wednesday 26th March at Westminster Cathedral Hall 8pm
Blending drama and dance, humour and tragedy, the performance challenges and empowers each one of us to end disability hate crime. The play will be staged by Blue Apple Theatre, one of the leading disability arts companies in the South.
There will be a bar selling wine and soft drinks from 7.15pm, please join us for drinks before and after the performance!
7.15pm Drinks
8pm Performance
8.45pm Post-show Q&A
Tickets | £15 adults | £10 concessions (OMV, students, Seniors)
Tickets & more info | www.omv.org.uk
Location: Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue, SW1P 1QH
Letter to non-OMV
Dear ____________
This March The Order of Malta Volunteers welcomes ‘Living Without Fear’ to London’s Westminster Cathedral Hall. ‘Living Without Fear’ tells the inside story of the prejudice, bullying, and discrimination faced by young people with learning disabilities, and which often goes unnoticed or unreported. “Startling. Wonderful. One of the most powerful performances.” The Hampshire Chronicle
This unique performance, blending drama, and dance, humour and tragedy will be performed by Blue Apple Theatre Company one of the leading disability arts companies in the South. Six actors who, themselves, have learning disabilities, bring an authentic voice to this fearless and empowering examination of disability hate crime and harassment. “"Fabulous. A triumph for the cast and everyone involved in this life-enhancing project" The Times
The OMV would like to invite you to the a special London showing on Wednesday 26th March at Westminster Cathedral Hall. The performance will start at 8pm, with a pre-show drinks reception from 7.15pm.
The OMV is a charity run by Under 30s that works closely with young adults with disabilities, providing care, relief and fun. The event will be held in aid of the Blue Apple Theatre Company, and the Order of Malta Volunteers.
To book tickets and for more information please visit the OMV website www.omv.org
We hope you will join us at this special event!
Yours sincerely,
On OMV HEADED PAPER
Further details:
7.15pm Drinks 8pm Performance 8.45pm Post-show Q&A
Tickets : £15 adults, £10 concessions (OMV, students, Seniors)
Tickets & more info : www.OMV.org.uk
Location: Westminster Cathedral Hall, Ambrosden Avenue, SW1P 1QH
There will be a bar selling wine and soft drinks, please join us for a drink from 7.15pm. Everyone has the right to live without fear. How do we listen where words are few and stories are incomplete?
ABOUT BLUE APPLE Blue Apple Theatre showcases the talents of actors with learning disabilities. Formed 6 years ago, the company has now grown to a membership of over 70 and last year performed to over 3,500 people. As well as operating a theatre programme that includes large- scale performance projects and small-scale touring productions, Blue Apple also run dance classes for a wide range of abilities. Blue Apple Theatre is pleased to recognise the support of the Arts Council, whose funding acknowledges the work and ambition of the company.
Peter Clerke is Artistic Director of Blue Apple Theatre. He was a founder member and Co-Artistic Director (1991-2009) of Scottish experimental visual theatre company Benchtours, whose highly acclaimed touring productions included Brecht’s Caucasian Chalk Circle and Mother Courage and Her Children; adaptations of Iain Banks’ The Bridge and Salman Rushdie’s Haroun and The Sea of Stories. William Jessop is Blue Apple Theatre’s writer and film maker. He has written and adapted six productions for Blue Apple including A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2010); Gogol’s The Government Inspector (2011), Living Without Fear (touring 2011- 2014) and Hamlet (2012). William’s films include Tommy’s Story, for which he was short-listed for a Grierson Award, Freddie’s Story distributed nationally for training In the NHS, Paul’s Story which grew out of the Living Without Fear stage play and is being used nationally for training by the police and Growing Up Down’s, the recent highly acclaimed BBC 3 documentary about the Blue Apple Theatre touring production of Hamlet which starred actors with learning disabilities and played to 3,000 people in 5 counties.
Jo Harris has taught dance workshops and classes to all ages and abilities across Hampshire and choreographed all Blue Apple productions since 2008. In addition she has also created numerous short performance pieces for high-profile showcase events including the award-winning ‘Touching Your Heart'. Several of the actors have Down’s Syndrome and are founder members of Blue Apple Theatre. All except Hannah are fresh from the recent touring production of Hamlet. Tommy has numerous stage and screen credits, most notably in the BAFTA nominated Coming Down the Mountain (Tiger Aspect for BBC1). He has also featured in Casualty, Holby City, Monroe, Doctors and several afternoon plays on BBC Radio 4.
Founding Director: Jane Jessop Company Manager: Peter Clerke
Limited Company No. 8268201 Charity Reg. No. 1151078
To find out more about the ‘Stand By Me’ campaign being run by Mencap, please contact: 020 7696 5613 or email [email protected]
CREATIVE TEAM Director: Peter Clerke
Writer: Will Jessop
Choreography: Jo Harris
Production Manager: Ben Ward
Discussion Facilitator: Esi Hardy
Design: Su Houser
LX Design: Mark Dymock
Stage Manager: Joe Price
CAST Max: Lawrie Morris
Hannah: Katy Francis
Faye: Ros Davis
Bobby: Tommy Jessop
Ross: Hannah Timms
Alex: Anna Brisbane
Sam: James Elsworthy
About The Order of Malta Volunteers The Order of Malta Volunteers is a group of volunteers aged 17-29 who offer their time to help others. We run holidays and religious pilgrimages for sick or disabled adults and children. Our activities focus on breaking down the barriers between our disabled guests and volunteers.
The OMV runs a range of different activites and fundraising events, each one committed to providing care and friendly support for the terminally ill and for disabled adults and children.
Find out more about our work at www.omv.org.uk
The Order of Malta is a charitable organisation with a Christian tradition. It was founded almost a thousand years ago in Jerusalem. Its members are dedicated to helping the poor and the sick. Today, the Sovereign Order of Malta works in 120 countries around the world. With headquarters in Rome, its 13,500 members, 80,000 permanent trained volunteers and over 25,000 medical personnel care for people in need, whoever they are, whenever they come.
Find out more about the Order the Malta at www.orderofmalta.int
Contact Details About Living Without Fear at Westminster Cathedral Hall:
For enquiries regarding Living Without Fear at Westminster Cathedral Hall please contact Anton de Piro on 07748272908 / [email protected]
Or Clemmie Reynolds on 07792383035 / [email protected]
Contact for BLUE APPLE: Address: The Tower at Kings’, Romsey Road,Winchester SO22 5PW Email: [email protected] Website: www.blueappletheatre.com Tel: 07531 492637/ 01962 867986 Twitter: @BlueApplePlays
Contact for the OMV: Website: www.omv.org.uk
Email: [email protected]