Outdoor theatre to be commissioned as part of the Cultural Olympiad in the South East
On this, International Paralympic Day (8 September 2011), Accentuate is proud to announce the commission of a new outdoor theatre show tracing the history of the Paralympic Movement as part of the Cultural Olympiad in the South East.
Disabled visual artist Rachel Gadsden and Mark Smith of Deaf Men Dancing will be leading this ambitious project with over 100 disabled and non-disabled young people from across Buckinghamshire as well as from South Africa, USA, Rwanda and Australia. They will also be collaborating with Paralympians past and present from across the globe on the project.
Accentuate is the South East of England’s London 2012 legacy project and aims to create a cultural shift in the opportunities available for Deaf and disabled people. Accentuate consists of 15 ambitious projects in the South East which represent the arts, film, tourism, business, sport and heritage. All 15 projects aim to promote the talent of Deaf and disabled people in whatever area they work in. Accentuate aims to create a cultural shift in the way disabled people are seen and provide a variety of opportunities for disabled people to take part and to lead. Accentuate is funded by Legacy Trust UK, SEEDA and the regional cultural agencies, including Arts Council England.
This specific project for the outdoor theatre will be launched at Stoke Mandeville stadium, birthplace of the Paralympic Movement, on Friday 9 September to coincide with the launch of London 2012 Paralympic Games tickets.
Work begins on devising the piece on 27 September with a three day residency delivered by the full artistic team and four - times gold medal winning Paralympian, John Harris, at Stoke Mandeville Spinal Injuries Unit for children and young people. Part of this residency process includes the young people choosing a name for the project. Workshops will then continue throughout the Autumn term with partners Stoke Mandeville Spinal Injuries Unit,
Shed in the Park and Stocklake Park School. Rachel Gadsden will also be working in John Waycliffe Christian School in South Africa in contribution to the project.
Other international partners will collaborate online through a new ‘e-community’ website managed by Creative Junction as part of their broader young persons project Create, Compete, Collaborate (CCC). CCC has an ambition to see every young person in the South East have an opportunity to engage with young people from another country.
Caterina Loriggio, Creative Programmer for London 2012, says: “This project will make a tremendous contribution to the South East’s Cultural Olympiad programme. Rachel and Mark are very exciting and extremely talented artists to work with and will do an excellent job not just inspiring the young people but in creating a new piece of work telling a fascinating but little known story about the beginnings and development of the Paralympic Movement.”
Christina Pepper from Creative Junction is excited that young people from both the UK and abroad will be able to help develop and influence this new piece of work.
She says, “A huge part of London 2012 is about inspiring young people and this project will be an opportunity for the young people taking part to learn about different cultures, broaden their horizons, experience new artistic skills and really feel a part of the London 2012 spirit.”
Emma Slawinski, Programme Director of Accentuate says: “Screen South, through the Accentuate programme, is very proud to be supporting this new commission. It is vital that we make the most of the opportunity provided by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as celebrate the wealth of talent we have within the South East. The involvement of young people at all stages of the commission, both in this country and internationally, will ensure the commission has a legacy far beyond 2012.”
Early next year work will begin on designing and developing the show ready to be performed in time to coincide with the opening of the London 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
Information will be available as the project develops on:
www.cccecommunity.creativejunction.org.uk/