Exploring ‘Distance’ through the experiences of disabled artists

Oldham Coliseum Theatre and TripleC/DANC have joined forces to commission, produce and present three short audio plays by disabled writers, based on the theme of ‘Distance’.

Inspired by the writers’ real-life experiences the five-minute plays offer insight into the emotional challenges faced by disabled people in managing their conditions, shielding and the easing of the UK lockdown.

TripleC is a disabled led arts organisation that creates projects to break down the barriers for people with disabilities accessing the arts. 

DANC is the professional strand of TripleC; it champions solution-focussed events, workshops and conversations between disabled artists and key industry decision makers to increase representation, inclusivity and employment of disabled artists in the arts and media sector.

In May Oldham Coliseum, TripleC and DANC invited writers who are part of DANC to submit short plays up to five-minutes in length based on the theme of ‘Distance’ for the fourth episode of the theatre’s Mini-Podcast Series.

Actors Cherylee Houston and Melissa Johns (co-creators of TripleC/DANC) said: “We’ve loved working with Oldham Coliseum on the mini plays.

"DANC has such a wealth of talent and it’s been great to offer creative opportunities during such an uncertain time.”

The three selected short plays produced for the episode are: Personal Space by Adam Fenton; From a Distance by Andrew Duffy and 25 Metres From Salsa by Karen Featherstone.

All actors cast in the episode are also members of DANC.

Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s Mini-Podcast Series was launched on World Theatre Day 2020, just one week into the UK lockdown.

It shares original works by people of all ages and backgrounds from the communities the theatre serves.

For each episode the Coliseum invites writers to respond to a theme within a specified length, with pieces ranging from 100 words to a 20-minute short audio-play.

All pieces in the series are recorded remotely by professional actors and edited by the theatre’s Digital Associate Grant Archer.

The Coliseum’s Mini-Podcast Series is free to access.

It is available online at: coliseum.org.uk/mini-podcast-series/

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