Arts Council England funds two new commissions at Liberty festival

Liberty, the UK’s largest disability rights festival, returns to Trafalgar Square for the fourth time with a strong line up of street arts, theatre music and dance that is aimed at everyone.

For the first time, the festival has received Arts Council England funding, which has enabled the commissioning of two new works by leading disabled performers - Priscilla Queen of the Deaf World by The Alexandras and Elevation by Caroline Bowditch.

The commissions are designed to counter the historic under-representation of disabled artists in the UK street arts sector and it is hoped that the works will have a continued life after Liberty.

Priscilla Queen of the Deaf World features the creative talents of leading sign song artist Caroline Parker, who has been delighting audiences with her interpretations of classic songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody and her recent tour Signs of a Diva.

Directed by Jenny Sealey of Graeae Theatre, Priscilla Queen of the Deaf World is a high impact performance featuring Caroline Parker, Mark Smith and Daryl Jackson using sign song, elaborate costumes and evocative entrances to catch the eye of the public and reflect the Deaf view of the world, life and emotions.

Elevation by Caroline Bowditch is a new piece of dance specifically created for Trafalgar Square. Exploring the concept of elevation in terms of the practical (movements of the performers), physical (structures within Trafalgar Square) and political (disabled people needing to be recognised and given equality) the work invites the audience to aim high and personally experience the power and value of rising upwards. Using movement, sound and images, Elevation will challenge, excite and amuse.

Along with the presentation of Miniatora, by internationally renowned integrated dance company CandoCo, these new inspirational site specific performances on Trafalgar Square will complement Liberty's stage based programme.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, who organises Liberty in conjunction with Deaf and disabled Londoners said:
'Liberty is part of my efforts to make London an accessible and inclusive city. Deaf and disabled people make up more than 20 percent of London’s population and it is important that their contribution is celebrated. Liberty is now the largest disability rights festival in Europe and the exciting new commissions featured this year build on this success. Liberty offers an array of acts – from street art to rock – that all Londoners and visitors can enjoy.'

Sarah Weir, Executive Director of Arts Council England, London, said:
‘We're delighted to be supporting two new commissions at this year's Liberty festival, which will contribute to a dynamic body of wide-ranging and provocative street art. Liberty is a key opportunity for Londoners to experience the wealth of talent and creativity of disabled artists, as well as promoting disability equality in the capital and beyond.’

In addition to the new commissions, artists such as New York born vocalist Marlo Donato, the bands Beat Express, FreeSlave and The Heroes and mime artist Ramesh Meyyappan are also due to perform at Liberty.

Arts Council funding has also contributed to the setting up of a Liberty seminar programme later in the year, which will focus on good practice for access at festivals and training placement opportunities for disabled people www.london.gov.uk/mayor/equalities/liberty/index.jsp.

LINE UP INCLUDES

Carousel present dance company High Spin in a high energy duet 'Crush Proof'
Carousel present four piece rock band Beat Express
Candoco present Miniatora, a newly commissioned contemporary dance piece set within a giant inflatable architectural structure
Up and coming band Freeslave led by songwriter Haydon Spenceley feature material from their new album
Ramesh Meyyappan presents his acclaimed mime performance 'The Insomniac'.
Ramesh Meyyappan also performs 'Lazzi of Hunger', a street theatre performance in the Comedia del Arte style.
Caroline Bowditch presents world premiere of Elevation, a site specific dance piece
New York born vocalist Marlo Donato performs with her musicians
Creative Routes present innovative multi-media music theatre performance
Kickin’ Kangaroo present a club based dance set designed to encourage everyone to participate
Johnny Crescendo and Andy Morgan perform protest songs
The Alexandras present world premiere of Priscilla Queen of the Deaf World
The Heroes perform hard-hitting pop music fused with strong social awareness

ACCESS INFORMATION

Liberty is a festival for everyone and is organised to be inclusive and accessible. The following facilities and services on the day will include:

• Information points
• Trained stewards ad BSL interpreters
• Programmes in large text and Braille
• BSL interpretation and palantype relayed onto large screen
• Audio description
• Accessible toilets
• Changing area with hoist
• Viewing area
• Induction loops at information points
• Wheelchair loan service
• Charging Point for electric wheelchairs and scooters
  Assistance dogs area
• Lifts
• Free mobility bus between Westminster Tube and Trafalgar Square, courtesy of Metroline
• Free parking nearby for blue badge holders - Limited availability - Advance booking only 020 7983 4094

If you are an artist with some work to share, would you like to send some of it to us? Email editor@anAurora.co.uk

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