Leading learning-disabled theatre company, Dark Horse Theatre, which is based in Huddersfield, is about to tour with a brand new, dystopian stage show #Unit21.
The world premiere of the show is at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield on February 22 with further performances on the following day before the company heads out on tour throughout the rest of February and March.
Set in a future world, #Unit21 challenges and parodies the set of social rules thrust upon us when we become an adult, a universal issue told from the learning-disability perspective.
Featuring an ensemble of nine actors with learning-disabilities and the voices of award-winning comedians Iain Stirling and Amy Webber the show sees character Ally celebrating her 21st birthday. But the night descends into a haze of expectations versus reality.
The Dark Horse ensemble are: Firielle Al Ju’beh, Sarah Bedford, Mark Craven, Meghan Denton, Rebekah Hill, Toby Meredith, Alice Rogers, Joe Sproulle and Paul Wilson.
Director Amy Cunningham said: “When Dark Horse celebrated its 21st birthday four years ago, #Unit21 developed out of explorations around what happens when a person turns 21. What are the expectations? What are the rules?”
The ensemble spent months interviewing adults and young people from the learning-disabled community and beyond, using this research to inspire the development of the show and the live polling that audiences can access on their mobile phones.
Sci-fi films and dystopian fiction were used as anchors to explore movement, creating a grotesque meets Bob Fosse physicality that the ensemble maintain throughout.
The priority of #Unit21 is to display a new and progressive form of theatre that uses animation to make concepts more accessible to people with learning-disabilities, whilst also creating stunning visuals.
The ensemble has collaborated with games designer Richard Littlewood on both electronic score and animation.
“This is a show that unites all adults in their own ordinary and extraordinary successes and failures,” said Amy. “It is dark, it is empowering, and it is absolute permission to be the beautifully unique adult that you are (not that you ever needed it).”
Rooted in physical storytelling, Dark Horse promises a bold and entertaining show accompanied by integrated animation and captioning, an original electronic soundtrack and the option to use your phone during the interactive live poll throughout the show.
Company actors’ credits include BBC’s A Word and upcoming new drama directed by Shane Meadows The Gallows Pole, an international tour of MILK with Palestinian dance company Khashabi Theatre and Leeds Playhouse’s ground-breaking, accessible production Oliver Twist.
As part of #Unit21, Dark Horse is releasing a series of short films on YouTube. The series is called #FaceTime with each film platforming learning-disabled voices and giving a unique and relatable perspective on adulting.
The #Unit21 tour starts at Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and continues to The Lowry in Salford, Chroma Q in Leeds, Junction Goole and Storyhouse in Chester. Tickets are £10 and for the Huddersfield show book HERE.
