THEATRE COMPANY
25 YEARS
#MyLeftRightFoot
Photography by Christopher Bowen.
BIRDS OF PARADISE THEATRE COMPANY
DIRECTOR’S NOTE - Robert Softley Gale As a young boy with cerebral palsy, the film of My Left Foot in 1989 was the first time I’d seen a character with the same impairment as me in mainstream culture. My mum raved about Daniel Day Lewis’s brilliant performance and how “he’s just so like you”. But what could I really take from this portrayal of a disabled person by a non-disabled actor? Such depictions of disability that litter our culture reinforce ideas that disabled people are victims, trapped inside bodies and in need of pity. What does this do for disabled people in 2018? So, what better way to reclaim our stories than to create a musical comedy that pokes fun at the attitudes of non-disabled people – both then and now – and makes people laugh hysterically while realising that there are other ways to look at things? It’s enormously daring of us to take this on but we think there is one person who would approve of our creative endeavours. “I have always been fascinated by the theatre, it is such an enormously audacious thing to try and captivate an entire audience of several hundred people all at once and purely for your own creative endeavours.” Christy Brown
BIRDS OF PARADISE THEATRE COMPANY
25 YEARS
25 YEARS
BIRDS O THEATR
BIRDS O THEATR
BIRDS OF PARADISE THEATRE COMPANY
BIRDS OF PARADISE THEATRE COMPANY
25 YEARS
25 YEARS
CAST
BIRDS OF PARADISE THEATRE COMPANY Louise McCarthy
Dawn Sievewright Matthew Duckett YEARS John McLarnon Richard Conlon BIRDS OF PARADISE Gail Watson THEATRE COMPANY Natalie MacDonald Gavin Whitworth (Musical Director)
25
BIRDS O THEATR BIRDS OF PARADISE THEATRE COMPANY
CREATIVE TEAM
Amy Gillian Chris Grant YEARS Ian Sheena Nat
25
Gavin
CREATIVE TEAM
Robert Softley Gale Director (Book)
Emily Reutlinger Associate Director Rachel Drazek Movement Director & Choreographer Douglas Maxwell Dramaturg BIRDS OF PARADISE THEATRE COMPANY Rebecca Hamilton Set & Costume Designer Grant Anderson Lighting Designer Lewis den Hertog AV Designer Judith Drake Academic Disability Consultant Laura Donnelly CDG Casting Director Catherine King Director of Performance Interpreting Natalie MacDonald Director of Performance Interpreting
Robert is an established figure in the Scottish arts scene, with experience in diverse roles including disability rights activist, actor and performer, writer, artistic director and advocate of equality of access to the arts for disabled people. Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie Music and Lyrics Scott Gilmour and Claire McKenzie are an award-winning musical theatre writing partnership otherwise known as Noisemaker. Scott and Claire have worked with a wide variety of companies including The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, Sheffield Crucible, Dundee Rep and Citizens Theatre. noisemaker.org.uk Richard Thomas Additional Songs Richard Thomas is an Olivier and Rose D’Or winning composer and writer best known for Jerry Springer: The Opera (West End/UK Tour/ Off-Broadway/Carnegie Hall/Sydney Opera House), Anna Nicole (Royal Opera House/BAM New York), Made in Dagenham (West End) and Tracey Ullman’s recent sketch shows (BBC1/HBO).
PRODUCTION TEAM Niall Black Emma Skaer Nic Reilly David Hill Katy Lonsdale Guy Coletta Andy Stuart Andy Reid
Production Manager Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Technical Manager Costume Supervisor Production Sound Engineer Sound Operator AV Operator
BOP THEATRE Robert Gale Mairi Taylor Michelle Rolfe Callum Madge
Artistic Director Executive Producer Producer Projects Officer
boptheatre.co.uk/about-us/ National Theatre of Scotland staff involved in this and all productions can be found here: nationaltheatrescotland.com/about/contact-us
THE PRODUCERS WOULD LIKE TO THANK With You, Amy Cheskin, Bobath Scotland, Johnny McKnight, Lung Ha, J&B Scenery, Belinda Gilbert Scott, Novasound and Citizens Theatre.
Richard Conlon Ian
Gail Watson Sheena
Louise McCarthy Amy
Gavin Whitworth Gavin
Matthew Duckett Chris
John McLarnon Grant
Natalie MacDonald Nat
Dawn Sievewright Gillian
SONGS INCLUSION Music and Lyrics by Claire McKenzie and Scott Gilmour
WHAT DO YOU WANNA SAY? Music and Lyrics by Claire McKenzie and Scott Gilmour
MY LEFT/RIGHT FOOT “Mini-Musical” Lyrics and Music by Richard Thomas
DRINKING SONG Music and Lyrics by Claire McKenzie and Scott Gilmour
MAYBE Music and Lyrics by Claire McKenzie and Scott Gilmour
SOLITARY Music and Lyrics by Claire McKenzie and Scott Gilmour
SPASTICITY Music and Lyrics by Claire McKenzie and Scott Gilmour
THE SHOW IS FUCKED Music and Lyrics by Claire McKenzie and Scott Gilmour
ON THE OUTSIDE Music and Lyrics by Claire McKenzie and Scott Gilmourr
CHRIS’ REVELATION Music and Lyrics by Claire McKenzie and Scott Gilmour
HOW VERY DARE YOU? Lyrics and Music by Richard Thomas
MY LEFT/RIGHT FINALE Music and Lyrics by Claire McKenzie and Scott Gilmour
To provide feedback to Birds of Paradise Theatre and National Theatre of Scotland on the show visit boptheatre.co.uk/feedback
ABOUT BIRDS OF PARADISE THEATRE Birds of Paradise’s vision is of a culture where disabled people are recognised for the excellence of their work, celebrated for the stories they bring to the stage and are a vital part of the artistic landscape of Scotland. BOP makes theatre that challenges attitudes, provokes new creative approaches, and designs access into productions to reach a broad audience. BOP also provides strategic support to other organisations through Disability Equality Training and development opportunities to the next generation of disabled artists. For the latest information on all our activities and training services, visit us online at boptheatre.co.uk or follow us on Scottish Charity No: SCO23666 Registered in Scotland No: SCI43878 SUPPORT BIRDS OF PARADISE THEATRE £25 for 25 years! This is BOP’s 25th anniversary. Over the last 25 years BOP has influenced theatre in Scotland and changed the lives and careers of many disabled people. Through all our work we campaign for and demonstrate equality of access to the arts and creative opportunities. We would be thrilled if you would join in the celebrations by supporting us with a charitable donation to continue to deliver our work. In 2019 we will be launching our BOP Young Artists Programme to support young disabled people in the arts. boptheatre.co.uk/donate Text “BOPT25 £10” (or £1, £2, £3, £4, £5) to 70070 to donate to BOP ABOUT NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND The National Theatre of Scotland is a Theatre Without Walls. Since the Company was established in 2006, we have created over 280 productions, performing on the world’s largest stages and in tiny village halls. You can find us on the ferry, in a castle and in the local pub. We’re on the stages, in the galleries and on your screens. We are the voice in your ear as you roam the streets, the dragon in the night sky and the beat of the battalion drum. We are the communities with something to say, the audiences who demand to be heard and the vast creative talent of Scotland and beyond. Our aspiration is to tell the stories that need to be told and to take work to wherever audiences are to be found. Artistic Director Jackie Wylie Chair Seona Reid DBE For the latest information on all our activities, visit us online at nationaltheatrescotland.com The National Theatre of Scotland, a company limited by guarantee and registered or follow us on in Scotland (SC234270), is a registered Scottish charity (SCO33377). SUPPORT NATIONAL THEATRE OF SCOTLAND Did you know the National Theatre of Scotland is a registered charity? To do what we do, we need your support! Our donors and supporters have helped us nurture and develop the careers of hundreds of actors, playwrights, designers and directors. Each year we work with thousands of young people from across Scotland on projects that build confidence and transform lives. There are many ways to support and be part of our work creating vital, dynamic theatre. Join us and help us achieve our ambition. nationaltheatrescotland.com/support
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