workshops and performances

Due to unforseen circumstances, and in order to maintain our artistic integrity, we have had to suspend the 'Restraints' programme.

We will restart in January and will of course inform everyone of the details.

RESTRAINTS - What holds you back - Your family? Your past? People’s attitudes? Fear? Embarrassment? Your physicality? The world around you? That nasty little word 'NO'....

  • 'Restraints' is about trying to work your way through life despite these things.  Strictly Collaborative’s next performance will explore the idea of limits. This multimedia performance will be a beautiful mixture of disabled and non disabled participants, with signing and subtitling, and will be an inclusive mish mash of ideas and emotions bought to you by the only truly inclusive theatre company in Plymouth.

  • Our next performance, RESTRAINTS will begin on the 12th September 2011 (venue is TBC). The 25-week phase will involve weekly rehearsals for the performance to be held in spring 2012. During the 25 week period the company members will participate in various workshops lead by mixed ability artists in a variety of disciplines such as physical theatre, movement, vocal and musical techniques, prop and set design. There will also an opportunity to learn skills such as marketing, publicity and events co-ordination.

    I am a disabled, independent theatre practitioner and have been working inclusively in the Plymouth community for 6 years.  My aim is to use performance to break down barriers to the participation of young disabled people in the theatre. In 2008 I set up Strictly Collaborative, to work with both disabled and non-disabled young people in developing autobiographical theatre – our performances include A Place for Belonging and 24 Hours in a Day.

    At Strictly Collaborative, we:

    • Offer a safe, creative environment where each individual can learn about themselves, each other and the world around them
    • Provide an opportunity for skills development in an integrated setting
    • Provide a vehicle for the discovery of the creative voice using an autobiographical approach
    • Invoke a shift in attitudes in cultural institutions and employers on disabled people's abilities
    • Develop a creative company of disabled and non-disabled young people who make live performance that celebrates the diversity and richness of life

    The participants will be challenged both creatively and personally through this process, becoming more independent and gaining a good theoretical and practical introduction to the arts, including disability arts. The participants will develop an understanding of disability arts and influential disabled artists. The work produced will be cross disciplinary using different mediums of performance including visual arts. I will facilitate the workshops, with the assistance of several individuals who have been involved in previous Strictly performances.

    To get involved in this project please contact Ems Coombes on the following contact details

    ems@strictlycollaborative.co.uk or call on 07917276254

    Thank you so much for looking and I look forward to playing with you in the very near future.