arts
Writer Carole Lander attended the the
show Contest at a relaxed performance.
Photograph courtesy Sarah Walker.
for the Melbourne Fringe which was
held last month (September). Anna
Seymour produced a deaf dance
party called SPIN, hosted by a deaf
DJ. Sarah Houbolt staged Koo Koo
the Bird Girl which charts the history
of a female performer with disability
who was continuously cast in freak
shows – an unfortunate truth about
many differently abled performers
until recent time. Consider, for
example, how short-statured people
were the jesters and clowns of performance and not only hear is another. The Darebin team works
European royalty in medieval days, the actors’ voices but learn more hard at this, collaborating with Arts
and in the late 1800s American about the performance from a voice- Access, Stage Left, Description
showman P.T. Barnum toured the over providing extra information Victoria, respite houses and many
world with a troupe – with names through headphones. more organisations to attract
such as General Tom Thumb – who During the weekend September people who otherwise might not feel
sang, danced and cracked jokes to 22-23, The Civic Square (at Northcote welcome in the space. And to top this
packed audiences. We have come a Town Hall) was given over to games, off, they offer access tickets for $20
long way since then. dances, arts, music for the whole (with the code word ACCESS), when
family and the whole community – the regular price averages $38.
Another service that can make
theatre enjoyable for those who
identify as having a disability is
including people with disability.
Having an accessible, inclusive
called ‘audio description’. This is for program is one thing; getting the
vision-impaired people who attend a idea out and attracting audiences
What a great place to live in if
you’re into the arts – with or without
a disability.
www.darebinarts.com.au
Fold, Pack, Travel.
Whether you are cruising, flying or driving.
This portable scooter folds up in just
20 seconds
1300 622 633
www.scootersAus.com.au
linkonline.com.au
SCA33002
arts
35