Disability Arts Online

On Monday 6th February, BBC3 are broadcasting a brand-new documentary about five deaf teenagers taking their first steps in the hearing world. Charlie Swinbourne previews the film.

In the foyer of the Southbank Centre, a small group of toddlers were gathered around a cardboard coffin, decorating it with glitter and flowers. This was 'Death: a festival for the living,' which took place between 27-30 January. Nicole Fordham Hodges speaks the unspeakable.

Richard Downes came away deeply moved by 'Andre & Dorine' by Basque company Kulunka Teatro - which played at the Purcell Room, Southbank from 26-29 January - as part of the London International Mime Festival.

Scottish Dance Theatre (SDT), produced the Pathways to the Profession Symposium which took place in Dundee, Scotland between 19-20 January. Jo Verrent airs her views on what was learnt.

Rubix and Elephant two poetry collectives from Camden's Roundhouse came to Oval House Theatre on 14 January 2012. Nicole Fordham Hodges recalls some key moments at this spoken word event.

Charlie Swinbourne reviews Mike Leigh's play 'Grief' - in production at the The National's Cottesloe Theatre until 28 January.

Exiled Writers Ink support and give a platform to exiled writers from around the world. Nicole Fordham Hodges went along to one of their monthly readings on 5th December at the Poetry Cafe, London WC2. She heard some Romani voices, and they certainly hadn't been silenced.

From Friday 27th – Monday 30th January, the Southbank Centre is hosting an unusual event: four days of talks, music, performance and poetry that gently lift the lid on the subject of death. Previewed by DAO New Voices writer, Nicole Hodges

Infinitas Gracias: Mexican miracle paintings is on show at the Wellcome Collection, London until 26 February 2012. DAO New Voices writer Obi Chiejina explores the mystery behind this exhibition of votive paintings.

Cando2 performed a site specific dance piece - as part of FRESH - an event showcasing extracts from some of the UK’s best youth and professional dance companies hits of 2011. Sophie Partridge gives a danger warning after her attendance at the event at the Place in London on 3 December.

The first major exhibition for 25 years of the highly individual work of the popular British artist Edward Burra (1905–1976) is on show at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester until 19th February 2012. Colin Hambrook reviews the life and works of this exceptional watercolourist who documented significant moments in the second half of the 20th century.

Alan McLean gets under the skin of a thought-provoking two day symposium produced by Dash, at the end of their series of Outside In commissions. Held at the Arena Theatre Wolverhampton, on 2 December, the day explored Dash's support of work at New Art Gallery Walsall, Oriel Davies Newtown and Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

CoolTan Arts’ Largactyl Shuffle group staged an enjoyable and successful walk, exploring the life and work of William Blake, in a unique guided cultural tour starting at Tate Modern, ending at Bunhill Cemetery.

Colin Hambrook reviews Oska Bright 2011 - the international film festival of short films by people with a learning disability, which took place in Brighton's Corn Exchange from 22-24 November 2011

Trish Wheatley reviews an exhibition featuring works by Martin Bruch, Juan delGado, Aidan Moesby and an intervention by DAO blogger Gini, currently on show at Salisbury Arts Centre, as part of the Re-Imagining Exhibitions programme.

John O'Donoghue reviews the work of Outsider Artist Alf Wiltshire and discovers a gentle humour in the poems, text art and paintings of a prolific artist.

The Dementia Diaries has been touring the UK. The play, directed by Mark Hewitt tackles the impact of living with dementia. John O'Donoghue saw a performance which was hosted by Brighton and Sussex Medical School at the Sallis Benney, as part of their Ethics In Performance season.

Joe McConnell reviews Bobby Baker's new touring performance piece

John O'Donoghue reviews Bobby Baker’s award-winning book of 158 diary drawings, which give a record of the artist's dealings with mental health services, coping with breast cancer, and her struggle to get the treatment she felt she needed.

Deborah Caulfield hates reality TV and really hates pantomime. She watched Seven Dwarves, a seven-part documentary, recently screened on Channel 4.

Gary Thomas reviews the Knitting Circle, written by Julie McNamara. Performed at the Cochrane Theatre, London, 22 September 2011

A team of DAO writers went to the 5th decibel Performing Arts Showcase in Manchester from the 12th - 16th September 2011. Here you can read reviews of a large selection from the 50 performances which happened during the week.

Gary Thomas Visited Edinburgh Fringe for the first time this year. He gets about a bit! Here’s a couple of reviews, including the highlights.

Liz Porter reviews this years' Liberty Festival in its new home on London's Southbank

Debbe Caulfield reviews John Pring's investigative study of abuse of disabled people in residential care: 'Longcare Survivors: Biography of a Care Scandal.' Published by the Disability News Service.

Colin Hambrook got a magnifying glass out to see Nick Blinko's fantastical 'Visions of Pope Adrian 37th' on show at Pallant House Gallery, Chichester until 14 August 2011.

Outside In is now open for submissions. Liz Porter went along to the launch event at Pallant House Gallery in Chichester to soak up the excitement.

The Times Cheltenham Science Festival 2011, 7th – 12th June, held a huge mix of events on every subject under the sun, from stem cells to the psychology of war. Debbe Caulfield attended two linked events under the heading Alternative Ways of Thinking, curated by The Arts Catalyst and Shape focusing on Alternative Ways of Thinking.

Melissa Mostyn-Thomas previews a chilling new film by Deaf film-maker Ted Evans. Premiered at Deaffest, The End can be viewed on Film4, the Community Channel; on the BSLBT website.

Sophie Partridge reviews a socio-historical account of the changing treatment of disabled people in Britain from the 1940s to the present day, written by Sonali Shah and Mark Priestley.

Up-Stream set out to showcase engaging, contemporary live and visual art works by disabled and Deaf artists - presented as part of Brighton Festival between 24-26 May 2011.

With a critical eye on venue access and performance Gini reviews Roger Waters performing The Wall Live at the O2 arena on Wednesday 18th May 2011.

Simon Raven gives his impressions of 'Labyrinth of Living Exhibits' - a performance event curated by Aaron Williamson at the Hunterian Museum, London, presented by Shape and Arts Catalyst.

Samantha Ellis reviews 'The Shaking Woman, or A History of My Nerves' by Siri Hustvedt (Picador 2010)

Plymouth’s very first disability arts event was a weekend packed full of creativity and learning. Kate Cotton went along to sample the workshops and performances.

Debbe Caulfield and three disabled friends saw Liz Crow’s 'Resistance; Which Way the Future' at The Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre in Taunton on 12th and 29 March 2011. It made them think…

Sue Kent reviews The Great Wall of Vagina - a series of panels using moulds taken directly from the body to produce sculpture - on show from 6 - 31 May 2011 at Jamie McCartney Sculpture Studios, 7 Ship Street Gardens, Brighton, as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival.

Paul F Cockburn saw Lung Ha's adaptation of the Jules Verne classic at Platform, The Bridge, in Glasgow on 31 March, 2011

Colin Hambrook meets Land Artist Bruce Davies in the middle of a residency that involves using waste from the heathland at Holton Lee - on show at Faith House until 8 April.

The latest outing of Mind the Gap’s Of Mice and Men is a beautiful and evocative production and highly recommended viewing. Kate Cotton saw the show at the Ariel Centre, Dartington, 3 March, 2011

Hosted by the Live Art Development Agency, Access All Areas was a two-day public programme, a showcase and inquiry into the work of disabled artists whose medium is Live Art, where the artist’s most important piece of kit is their own body. Debbe Caulfield investigates.

Colin Hambrook reviews a BBC documentary which tells the story of the closure of Britain's mental asylums through testimonies from patients, nurses and doctors.

DaDaFest – the UK’s leading and biggest deaf and disability arts festival celebrates its tenth year in 2010. In celebration, disabled and non disabled artists from all over the world will perform and exhibit at DaDaFest International 2010, a two week extravaganza of artistic wonder which showcases and celebrates the best in disability and deaf arts.

Wendy McGowan discovers some new meanings behind our interpretation of everyday photographs in 'The House of Vernacular' - on show at Fabrica Gallery, Brighton until 28 November 2010.

Melissa Mostyn-Thomas finds much to be desired in the BBC drama’s exploration of Deaf issues

BBC 2 recently aired a 55 minute documentary charting portrayal of disability on TV over the last 50 years. Narrated by David Walliams the programme looks at the journey from Ironside to Cast Offs, and from Monty Python to The Office and Little Britain. Colin Hambrook comments.

Re-Presenting Disability: Activism and Agency in the museum is edited by Richard Sandell, Jocelyn Dodd, and Rosemarie Garland-Thomson. Colin Hambrook reviews this account of interpretations of disability within museum practice, in the UK and abroad.

Harry Matthews reviews Contemporary Art Iraq – the first comprehensive UK exhibition of work by Iraqi artists since the first Gulf War. Now on show at Cornerhouse until 20 June 2010

Face Front and the European Art Company present the simple story of a couple facing the concerns and many facets of their relationship - is it absurd or real life? Kate Larsen reviews her 'loves' and 'love nots.'

Lisa and Rachael wanted to make a show together but they didn’t have any ideas. How do you make a show with no idea? Kate Cotton saw Improbable Theatre's production at the Plymouth Drum Theatre on 5 May 2010

Award-winning poet Bernadette Cremin crafts work from her three collections into a series of six monologues of women who have "catwalked and crawled" out of her poetry. Colin Hambrook caught the opening performance in an inaccessible dive in the Brighton Fringe.

Mark Haddon approaches disability from another angle with his stage-writing debut, Polar Bears. Kate Larsen critiques his new play - on at the Donmar Warehouse, London until 22 May 2010.

Garry Robson is Spasticus! Colin Cameron caught Fittings Multimedia music-theatre production ‘Raspberry’ at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh on 9 April, 2010 at the start of its UK tour.

DIY Theatre Company showcased their latest performance 'In Other Words' at Salford Arts Theatre on 24 March. New dao writer Harry Matthews went along to the performance to assess how DIY challenge stereotypes with their work.

Colin Hambrook caught up with soul diva Lizzie Emeh in Brighton for a gig at Carousel's Blue Camel Club

Kate Larsen reviews this 'furious comedy', which attempts to grapple with the realities of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Really Old, Like Forty Five is playing at the Cottesloe Theatre, London until 20 April 2010.

The Institute of Contemporary Arts exhibits Billy Childish's first major retrospective of work in London, bringing together a cross-section of works from the artists career as a musician, artist, novelist, film maker and poet. Colin Hambrook reviews the show by this talented, infamous artist.

Caroline Cardus reflects on the issues raised by Gok Wan's latest Channel 4 series - ‘How To Look Good Naked… with a Difference

Wings are Giving Out is Sean Burn’s third full length collection from Skrev Press. Colin Hambrook reviews the latest collection from one of the UKs foremost experimental writers.

Following the success of last year’s Wild Things CD, Brighton punk band Heavy Load launched the second compilation on their Get in or Get Out label on 10 December 2009 at Komedia, Brighton. Colin Hambrook reviews Volume 2, a double CD featuring artists from all over the world. All proceeds go towards the Stay Up Late campaign

Jo Verrent witnesses Rita Marcalo's performance at Bradford Playhouse on 12 December 2009

100 Artists took part in an exhibition to raise money for the Sussex Beacon, at Concorde 2, Brighton on Saturday 29 November 2009. One of the artists, Bonny Cummins, gives a personal response to an emotional day.

Colin Hambrook gives a personal response to a recently published collection of poems by Cate Jacobs titled 'Climbing Mountains in the Dark'

Billed as a 'fusion of local musicians, performance art and songs...a night where anything goes,' DaDaNoise took over The Bluecoat, Liverpool on 28 November 2009.

From Freak To Clique is a work-in-progress written and performed by Mat Fraser, currently starring in Channel 4s' Cast Offs. Mandy Redvers-Rowe caught Mat's performance - commissioned by DaDaFest - at the Bluecoat, Liverpool on November 27 2009

It Hasn’t Happened Yet! is a comedy about comedy that asks just who and what a disabled comedian can actually laugh at these days? Mandy Redvers-Rowe caught Liz Carr's performance at the Unity Theatre, Liverpool on 21 November 2009

Young DaDaFest is an exhibition of artworks on show at World Museum Liverpool until December 5 2009. Susan Bennett visited.

Sally Booth received the Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary in 2008. A series of light boxes inspired by her subsequent residency at the Bluecoat, Liverpool is on show there until 5 December 2009. Susan Bennett visited.

Susan Bennett sees Resistance at the Contemporary Urban Centre, Liverpool. On now, until 5 December 2009.

Mandy Redvers-Rowe reviews Crossings by Julie McNamara - performed at The Unity Theatre, Liverpool on 20 November, as part of DaDaFest 2009.

Susan Bennett braves the weather to search for a major show - The Rolling Exhibition - by Kevin Connolly at Open Eye Gallery, part of DaDaFest 2009 in Liverpool

Sarah Pickthall enjoys sheltering from a stormy, windy afternoon watching the latest animation work at Oska Bright 2009 in Hove

Susan Bennett reviews The Magic Hour, a compilation of short stories by five different directors, each with a disability. The film, produced by leading producers, 104 Films, showed at FACT in Liverpool as part of DaDaFest09.

The amazing Oska Bright International Film Festival in Hove - which had over 200 entries this year - ended with a final fling of celebration, partying and the presentation of awards to winning film-makers.

Colin Hambrook catches the best of Oska Bright 2005 and 2007, plus some of the best of submissions from London and the South East on the first day of the film festival at the Old Market Arts Centre, Hove

Susan Bennett saw a new touring production based on characterisations of Jane Austen's women at the Crosby Civic Hall on 13 November 2009.

On the second night of their first UK tour, Congolese street musicians Staff Benda Bilili nearly start a riot in Brighton as they infect gig-goers with the dance vibe

Colin Hambrook sees Cast Offs, C4's challenging new comedy drama marooning six disabled actors on a reality-show remote island. Written by the team behind Skins and Shameless, Cast Offs starts 24 November.

Miroslaw Balka's installation at Tate Modern came with a certain amount of hype and, as I am registered blind, I was curious how I would experience it. I do have some useful vision, but absolutely zero night vision, so this was going to be interesting...

Double Sentence presents some new departures in style for Deafinitely Theatre Company. Alan McLean saw the production at the Arena Theatre Wolverhampton on 1 October 2009.

Colin Hambrook caught up with the opening of the ‘goose’ and offers his impressions of Jon Adams retrospective on show at Pallant House Gallery from 13 October – 22 November 2009

Crossings was originally commissioned as a theatre work in progress by DaDa (Deaf and Disability Arts) Festival, Liverpool. Peter Street reflects on Julie McNamara's gripping piece of drama which examines racist times from the past with contemporary racist attitudes.

Disability arts went to Preston and Lancaster from 24 August - 6 September 2009. Peter Street caught some of the festival.

Sarah Pickthall reviews Jo Bannon’s ‘pitch’, for her latest work 'Claim to Fame'

Sarah Pickthall reviews Composer/Sonic Artist Anya Ustaszewski’s showcase of 'Metallicum' - a work in progress.

Jo Verrent sees The Fish Police rock the decibel09 performing arts showcase at Contact Theatre, Manchester

Jo Verrent attended a decibel09 event at Manchester Town Hall to discuss issues around leadership among disabled people

Jo Verrent went to see Fight Face - performed by Tin Bath - with Sophie Woolley and Nick Khan.

Jon Pratty went to Arts Council England's lively Decibel 2009 performing arts showcase - and saw a feast of dance, live art and some great music.

Dao is covering the decibel09 showcase in Manchester with a small team of volunteer writers and snappers. Jon Pratty reports on what he liked on the first decibel09 day!

Kathryn Braithwaite reviews an innovative idea for a show all about approaching a random member of the public and asking them to go to your workplace and fill in for the day.

Kate Larsen caught a one-night only performance of a collaboration between Rachel High and Julie McNamara, at Brady Arts Centre, London on 2 September 2009

Kate Larsen reflects on a screening of Richard Butchins' documentary 'The Last American Freak Show', followed by a live performance from London's raw and edgy punk rock band Unity & DeVision at O2 Academy, Islington, London on 26 August 2009.

Jo Verrent reviews stand-up comic Adam Hill at the Edinburgh Fringe, where he is playing at the Assembly Rooms in George Street, until 31 August. Sunday performances are interpreted.

Colin Hambrook reviews Unleashed - an exhibition of paintings by Russell Jones presented by Creative Future at Brighton Media Centre Gallery July 2009

Colin Hambrook revels in a show that puts outsider art centre stage in the delightful setting of Pallant House in Chichester. More than 500 artists sent over 800 works in to the show, with 150 selected for display. As the show opened, six prize winners were announced from the displayed entries.

Allan Sutherland reviews Liz Crow's performance as part of Antony Gormley’s ‘One & Other’ on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.

Liz Porter reflects on the programming of deaf and disabled artists at the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival 2009

Kate Larsen was washed away by Graeae Theatre Company and Strange Fruits' performance at the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival on Friday 26 June 2009

Kate Cotton reviews a performance by Australia’s Back to Back theatre company

David Watson reviews an exhibition on show at The Wellcome Collection, Euston Road, London until 2 August 2009

Adapted from Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mocking Bird', Mind the Gap bring their latest production to Oval House Theatre, London

Bonny Cummins reviews 15mm films new commissioned film 'The Way Out'

Melissa Mostyn caught Deafinitely Theatre's preview of Double Sentence, at Oval House Theatre, London on the 9th and 10th January 2009

Matt Simpson reviews the latest collection of poetry by Peter Street

Colin Hambrook went up to Wolverhampton Art Gallery to see a new exhibition by Simon Mckeown

Melissa Mostyn reviews the work and examines the challenges faced by Deaf artists seeking to forge careers in the hearing world.

Liz Porter reviews Maggie Hampton's anthology of the life stories of ten disabled women engaged in the arts; written in their words. 'Living Where the Night’s Jive' was supported by the Welsh Books Council and has been published by Parthian Books.

Extant's latest production at Rich Mix, which met with acclaim when it ran in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2008

Colin Hambrook reviews the rise of Aaron Williamson as performance and video artist over the last eight years; as documented in a recent publication produced by The Live Art Development Agency.

A BBC Radio Drama, North production, developed in association with Graeae Theatre Company. Review by Colin Hambrook.

Rachel Gadsden was appointed to be the first Artist in Residence at Hampton Court Palace In November 2007. Rachel has been uncovering stories trapped within the fibre of the building over the past year.

An international showcase of disability, deaf and inclusive arts companies from around the globe took to the streets of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire between 19 - 21 September 2008.

Liz Porter relived some memories at the Paralympic Handover event at Stoke Mandeville on 17 September 2008

Some lively new work is on show as part of the St Ives September Festival

Kate Cotton talks to art + power about their programme for supporting artists' professional development On the eve of their tenth anniversary art + power showed their latest exhibition, transformARTive at the Grant Bradley Gallery, in their hometown of

Dada-South bursary winners sampled the rich and diverse programme of events at DaDaFest International 2008 and were invited to report back in a range of ways.

Signdance lead the way in experimental performance with their most challenging piece of work to date

The Signdance Collective premiered the launch of their new production Three Films + One at Holton Lee on 28 June 2008.

Artist Alan Mclean talks about working with Ethnic Advocacy and Apna Women's Group from Walsall.

Robert Softley reviews Nabil Shaban's play about the holocaust

Tanya Raabe reviews the recent DASh film festival

Joe McConnell reviews Ju Gosling's recent exhibition culminating from her residency with the National Institute of Medical Research

Sara Beer reviews a performance of Kaite O’Reilly's play, on tour in Wales and Manchester

Robert Softely reviewed Graeae's touring production in March 2008.

Allan Sutherland reviews X'08 London's 8th International Disability Film Festival

Liz Porter attends an International Conference on Art, Museums and Visual Impairment held November 2007 at the V&A, London

Tanya Raabe reviews Laurence Clark sizing himself up to find out just how evil he can be

A moving play about the problem of long-term unemployment, in which four disabled friends stave off the despair of joblessness by re-enacting Amundsen's expedition to the South Pole.

Graham Lewis reviews Equata's festival of disability arts

Liz Carr is taking disability comedy to new boundaries with her latest show

Julie McNamara tours the UK with her story of sex, religion and psychiatry

Tim Hayton investigates a project based in South London set up to support artists who have no access to mainstream art education

Maria Oshodi reports back on Extant's recent visit to the fifth international Blind in Theatre Festival held in Zagreb in October.

Colin Hambrook reviews the latest Oska Bright at the Old Market Arts Centre and talks to some of the steering committee.

Colin Hambrook reviews this year's big disability celebration in Trafalgar Square

Colin Hambrook and Joe McConnell respond to a talk by Yinka Shonibare at the Shape's launch of the Adam Reynolds bursary

Colin Hambrook talks about the impact of Christine Finn's installation 'Leave-Home-Stay'

Jo Verrent reviews eight disability-related shows at the Edinburgh Festival

Kaite O'Reilly reviews a memoir by Ryan Knighton

Joe McConnell reviews Face On, a new disability arts reader, published by Arts and Disability Ireland

Kaite O'Reilly reviews a groundbreaking collection of Contemporary Plays by Disabled Playwrights

Peter Street reviews a script-in-hand performance at the Bolton Octagon March 2007

Lloyd Page reviews the latest release from a great new punk band from Lewes, Sussex

Liz Porter reviews the current status of Audio Description, in response to a symposium at the Oxford Playhouse

Danny Start reviews a Liverpool artist whose creativity came to the fore after having a stroke

The Unusual Stage School; Mat Fraser gives an assessment of a new theatre project launched by Disability Arts Cymru.

Melissa Mostyn reviews Sign Dance Collective's latest show But Beautiful and raises some thought-provoking questions.

Deborah Williams went to a launch of Paddy Masefield's book. She recounts her first impressions of the man, his passion and commitment to disability arts.

Colin Hambrook went to the Whitechapel Gallery in London to see the latest exposure of Outsider Art.

Peter Campbell's first poetry collection, published by Hearing Eye, is reviewed by Joe Bidder

Lindsay Carter caught Deborah William's; one-woman show oUo maan at Caedmon Hall, Gateshead

DAO reveiws Aaron Williamson and Katherine Araniello's latest exhibition

The Fingersmiths latest production incorporates spoken and projected text with theatricalised British Sign Language. Penny Pepper caught their performance at the Drill Hall, London.

Penny Pepper tells us about the Bird's Eye View Festival of women's film

Colin Hambrook looks at Paul Cade's Light Beingwithin the context of disability arts.

Tony Heaton reviews this wide-ranging, exploratory exhibition, which has been touring the south-west.

A review of the Liberty Festival of 2005.

Colin Hambrook saw the new production of Lynn Manning's autobiographical play Weights in Brighton, at the beginning of its UK tour.

Colin Hambrook reviews a touring exhibition by one of the most important French painters of the 20th century

A review of Jez Colborne’s (aka J C Jamma) one-man show, On the Verge.

Extant are the only blind theatre company in the UK. Over the past few years they have been developing new styles to create access for blind performers and audiences alike.

A festival of short films by people with learning disabilities.

Colin Hambrook wonders why disabled artists of the repute of Robert Wyatt have never joined the fray within the disability movement?

Sign Dance Collective are fast developing a Europe-wide reputation for their imaginative new style of sign dance theatre. Colin reviews their show reel.

Deborah Williams reviews the work of Turner Prize (2004) nominee Yinka Shonibare.

Natalie Andrews from Dada-South writes about the touring exhibition Way Ahead.

The third Xposure Arts Festival, which ran from 1 to 27 November 2004, is one of the largest festivals of disabled artists and performers in the UK.

London's Disability Rights Festival, reviewed by Colin Hambrook