This page gives an overview of the UK's experience in arts work which has a social development aspect.
Read about our international projects in the performing arts that cover an arts for development agenda.
Drama Publications and Resources""
Quick links to drama entries:
Acting Out Company
Mojisola Adebayo
Ali Campbell
Cardboard Citizens
Contact
David Glass Ensemble
Geese Theatre Company
Graeae Theatre Company
Honeybee Theatre
Immediate Theatre
The Lawnmowers
London Shakespeare Workout
MAYHEM
Julie McCarthy
mind the...gap
Gerri Moriarty
People's Palace Projects
Jane Plastow
Pop-Up Theatre
Project Phakama
Rideout
Small World Theatre
Streets Alive Theatre Company
Theatr Fforwm Cymru
Theatre Workshop
James Thompson
Chrissie Tiller
TiPP (Theatre in prisons and Probation Centres)
Wolf + Water Arts Company
TYPE OF WORK
Theatre and drama for social change
TARGET GROUPS
Work by and for people with learning difficulties
GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT
UK, North America, South America, Central and Eastern Europe
COMPANY POLICY
To support places where people with learning difficulties can use drama and theatre to explore and develop their ideas and help plan and take control of their futures.
To honour and develop the culture of people with learning difficulties and to research, explore and develop new ways of creating and using drama and theatre within that culture.
Primarily working in north-east England, the company works nationally and internationally and has strong links with Brazil through C.T.O. Rio, Opaxoro and Estrela.
SCALE OF PROJECTS
Number of practitioners: 2–15
Number of participants: 5–200
Preparation time: Varies
Contact time: 2 hours – 4 years
PERMANENT STAFF
Geraldine Ling, Director
Andrew Stafford, Outreach Worker/Lawnmower
Dawn Redhead, Training Co-ordinator
Rob Huggins, Liberdade Apprenticeship Co-ordinator
Belinda Croce, Krocodile Klub Co-ordinator
Opaxoro (UK/Brazil, 2000)
Lawnmowers hosted a worker and two dance performers with learning difficulties from Opaxoro, Brazil. A tour of workshops was organised for groups with learning disabilities.
Legislative Theatre and The Right Wrong Workshops (UK, 1998)
The workshops around the show were about ‘Who is running the country?’ The workshops used a mixture of role and forum theatre and encouraged participants to set up the kind of Government they would like.
Walk the Walk (UK, 2002/03)
The Lawnmowers travel back in time describing the legislative landmarks that led to the Government’s White Paper Valuing People.
The Elvis Experience (UK, 2003)
A two-hour performance that includes a high level of participation. Based on and inspired by research undertaken by two of the Lawnmowers in Memphis.
The Big Snapper
A huge nightclub to promote talent for 600 people with learning disabilities.
The Liberdade Apprenticeship Scheme
Three-year physical theatre apprenticeship scheme for young adults with learning difficulties who aim to form their own physical theatre company.
The Legislative Project
Feasibility study underway.
Gerladine Ling
The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company
Swinburne House
Swinburne Street
Gateshead NE8 1AX
T/F +44 (0)191 478 9200
E thelawnmowers@onetel.net.uk
“They have established a unique reputation for high quality productions which address issues of concern to people with learning disabilities.”
Francois Matarasso, Use or Ornament – the social impact of participation in the arts
“The Lawnmowers are raw, cutting, and full of enthusiasm and commitment. They, more than any other group I have ever seen, make me feel proud about being different.”
DAM Magazine
“Theatre is an important part of the development of disability culture…The work of the Lawnmowers is one such theatre group.”
Jenny Morris, Disabled Lives (BBC Education publication)
Open the original version of this page.
Usablenet Assistive is a UsableNet product. Usablenet Assistive Main Page.