Graeae’s Jenny Sealey on the return of Crips without Constraints – and theatre during the lockdown

There’s no doubt that the last year has been incredibly challenging for people working in the arts – Deaf and disabled people in particular.

Which is why the return of Graeae Theatre Company’s Crips without Constraints series of short plays, released online, written, directed and starring Deaf and disabled talent, is being warmly welcomed.

The series originally played for 11 weeks at the height of the first lockdown in the Spring of 2020, to critical acclaim.

The new series of short plays, released online with subtitles, is being released every Tuesday from 19th January (you can catch up on the plays already released here on the Graeae YouTube channel) until 16th February.

The plays cover subjects such as sibling rivalry, and death by post it notes, and they’re written by writers who have been part of Graeae’s Write to Play programme.

Watch the second play, Flowers for the Chateau below:

So how did Crips without Constraints get started? Graeae’s Artistic Director, Jenny Sealey, said: “during the first lockdown, everyone put so much stuff online. We thought, ‘hang on a minute,’ we need to make sure it’s accessible, with sign language, captioning and audio description. We also wanted to give opportunities to new writers.”

Graeae’s patron, writer Jack Thorne, offered to support a season of work and the first of Crips without Constraints, a series of monologues, was born. After that success, Thorne has also supported this follow-up season of work.

So what’s different about the second instalment of Crips without Constraints? Sealey said: “This time, I thought we’d do duologues and Nicky Wildin, our Associate Director, suggested we have one Deaf/disabled actor and one famous actor, written by disabled writers and directed by disabled directors.”

There’s also the innovation of releasing vlogs featuring Deaf actors talking about the plays, which are coming out every Thursday, two days after each play is released. (these can also be found on the Graeae YouTube page).

Watch the first Vodcast, with Nadia Nadarajah and Sophie Stone, below:

How did that come about? “Last time, we had the podcasts and we had them signed. But podcasts are very ‘hearing!’ So this time we decided to have two Deaf BSL users having a conversation about the themes of the plays and stuff they want to talk about. So we’ll have the Deaf equivalent of a podcast! They’re really human conversations.”

Has releasing work online opened up a new way of working that might continue after the coronavirus restrictions? “We have realised that many people can’t get to the theatre for live performances. So we’ve been able to reach many more people. For all our plays from now on, we will have digital content. We have to.”

Sealey also explains how important it is to support artists during these troubled times. “One of our major commitments over the last year is trying to support freelancers. The best way of supporting them is through giving them a purpose, creating opportunities to be creative. It’s been lovely developing writers, actors and new directors.”

So make sure you don’t miss the return of Crips without Constraints. The all-star cast includes Dame Harriet Walter, Sharon D. Clarke, Mandy Colleran, Naomi Wirthner, Cherylee Houston and Julie Graham.

More details below:

HOW DO YOU MAKE A CUP OF TEA?
by Kellan Frankland starring Dame Harriet Walter and Mandy Colleran
A disabled actor meets the not-yet-disabled woman intent on playing her. Ferocious and funny the play poses the question, who has the right to play whom?
WATCH HERE (CAPS & AD) https://youtu.be/7b_0N_Wg6uU
BSL VODCAST: https://youtu.be/GeZf6XIkP38

FLOWERS FOR THE CHATEAUX
by Rebekah Bowsher starring Julie Graham and Naomi Wirthner
A woman discovers that her future son-in-law’s mother is the ex who dumped her by postcard 20-odd years ago,
WATCH HERE (CAPS & AD) https://youtu.be/8thqRqJKHsY
BSL VODCAST: https://youtu.be/ZrTikwYIg_c

THE GIFT
by Leanna Benjamin starring Sharon D Clarke
A pregnant woman has to make a terrible choice, but will her mother respect her decision?
WATCH HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msi2gnk96LI&feature=youtu.be

BSL VODCAST FROM THU 4 FEB AT MIDDAY:
www.youtube.com/graeaetheatrecompany

STUCK WITH YOU
by Jessica Lovett starring Sharon Duncan-Brewster
Two sisters clash over wedding preparations.
WATCH FROM TUE 9 FEB AT MIDDAY. BSL VODCAST FROM THU 11 FEB AT MIDDAY: www.youtube.com/graeaetheatrecompany

GOOD DAY, BAD DAY
by Karen Featherstone starring Cherylee Houston
A woman picks a fight with herself. A reminder that who we are depends on the day.
WATCH FROM TUE 16 FEB AT MIDDAY. BSL VODCAST FROM THU 18 FEB AT MIDDAY: www.youtube.com/graeaetheatrecompany

Interview by Charlie Swinbourne.