Resources

 
 

House lights up: Researching Relaxed Performance for Neurodivergent Audiences in Scotland [report]

House Lights Up! is a research project undertaken as part of Access Scottish Theatre, commissioned by The Federation of Scottish Theatre and produced by Birds of Paradise Theatre Company in collaboration with the researchers, Aby Watson, Thom Scullion and Zoë Halliday. It investigates what the performing arts industry in Scotland can do to make relaxed performances more accessible for audiences to attend. It does this by considering the research from two perspectives: neurodivergent audiences and the Scottish performance sector.

 

Criptonite panel on relaxed performance

Criptonite, the queer crip theater project based in Zurich, hosted a panel on the topic of Relaxed Performance. The focus of this panel is Relaxed Venues with the guests Kelsie Acton and Aby Watson in International Sign language.

 

House Lights up launch event

This is a filmed version of the first half of the House Lights Up! launch event, which was held in May 2023 in Edinburgh. It involves:

  • An introduction from Birds of Paradise Theatre Company

  • A presentation of report by researchers Aby Watson and Zoë Halliday

  • A pre-recorded conversation with Jonathan Carlton, Autism Access Consultant, about his experiences as a neurodivergent audience member

  • A conversation with Jonathan Carlton and Morna McGeogh

  • An audience Q&A with Aby Watson, Zoë Halliday, Jonathan Carlton and Morna McGeogh

  • ‘Rewriting the Script’: a discussion of next steps with Mairi Taylor and Callum Madge.

 

Discussing ‘The Agender of the Agresiv Dislecksick’ with Benedict Phillips for Disability Arts Online

‘the agender of the agresiv dislecksick’ presents a dyslexic voice that claims ownership and authorship of their representation. Benedict asserts “Thair is little dowet in my mind that persaqushon is to be the fee-los-serfee of your saroundingz”, stating unequivocably the state of discrimination and the barriers that the dyslexic individual encounters in society. The re-reading is followed by a conversation between Benedict, Editor of Disability Arts Online, Colin Hambrook and artist and academic Aby Watson.