Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent actors, beatboxers, rappers and dancers are joining forces to present a raucous, radical, celebratory show with heavy beats, stunning visuals and artistically embedded access including integrated British Sign Language (BSL), creative captioning and audio description.
High Times and Dirty Monsters, an exciting co-production from award-winning theatre companies 20 Stories High and Graeae and acclaimed partners LEEDS 2023 and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, has been developed with young people from each of the four organisations. Through a high-octane gig theatre format, a collage of stories reflects young people’s lives and concerns while celebrating the ways they find to look after themselves and each other.
This unique Hip Hop show is directed by Keith Saha (20 Stories High Artistic Director) with Associate Director Jenny Sealey OBE (Graeae Artistic Director) and Assistant Director Sonny Nwachukwu (former Graeae Associate Artist).
The creative team also includes choreographer Chris Fonseca, designer Miriam Nabarro, dramaturg Lin Coghlan and Nickie Miles-Wildin, BSL consultant Daryl Jackson, audio description consultant Mandy Redvers-Rowe, video designer and creative captioner Ben Glover, wellbeing Practitioner Lou Platt, sound designer Tony Gayle and lighting designer Rajiv Pattani.
High Times and Dirty Monsters places access, wellbeing, and participation at its heart. The production artistically integrates British Sign Language, creative captions and audio description. Commitment to access also extends to mental health provision, touch tours, and accessible ticket pricing.
Director Keith Saha said: “Fusing the expertise from our four companies has presented such an exciting opportunity to create a production that is as accessible as it possibly can be. The skill and energy of the team involved and the stories that are being told promise to make for an unforgettable night out.”
Associate Director Jenny Sealey OBE said: “The voices of young disabled people often go unheard. But not anymore. This raucous, radical, celebratory, hard-hitting gig theatre show shares the good times and the not-so-good times being young and disabled in 2023. Graeae is excited to be co-producing with 20 Stories High, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and LEEDS 2023 and bringing our recent Associate Artist, Sonny Nwachukwu, on board as Assistant Director.”
Tickets are now on sale. For more information please CLICK HERE
Images: Jack Ehlen
