Hot Coals Productions co-create ‘About Time’ celebration of Deaf and disabled talent

A “celebration” of Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent will take place at BAFTA later this month, co-created by the deaf and dyspraxic-led company Hot Coals Productions.

Taking place on 28 October, ‘About Time!’ is devised by partners Clare-Louise English and Jo Sargeant, as well as Sara Johnson of the disability consultancy firm Bridge06.

ITV, ITV Studios and the UK and Ireland arm of the Walt Disney Company are also supporting the performance event, which looks to “tackle barriers and [a] lack of representation and opportunity” for disabled actors in the industry.

Ten Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent actors, musicians and performers will take to the stage at the ceremony, hosted by Years and Years actress Ruth Madeley and Coronation Street star Cherylee Houston.

In a joint statement, Clare-Louise and Jo said: “This is not the first time our community has asked for better opportunities – these conversations have been happening for decades – but it’s only now that the industry seems ready to listen. There is a thirst for more inclusive work and diverse characters.

“We are driven by a desire to bring Deaf and disabled artists and their stories out of the fringes and into the mainstream, and the time is now.

“It is our hope that About Time builds on the great work of those in the industry who have come before us, and moves the conversation forwards, focusing always on the talent and not the challenges and creating meaningful change.”

Sara added: “This event was born out of conversations with Sam Tatlow, ITV’s Creative Diversity Partner, [with] both of us keen to address and tackle the misconceptions and repeated excuses of an industry who are still asking ‘where are the talent and are they any good?’

“We were incredibly pleased when Disney also wanted to get on board and from that strong partnership Clare and Jo at Hot Coals Productions were able to forge ahead, powered by their own lived experience of the barriers.”

“Isn’t it About Time we stopped asking disabled actors to be in showcases and instead just gave them the opportunity to show their talent in major roles, on the screens where they belong? It really is that simple.”

Guests invited to watch About Time have been asked to commit to making at least one of five commitments to support Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent talent when confirming their attendance.

These include casting a Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent performer as the lead or co-lead in a new show, title or a returning drama; applying a “1 in 5 rule” to talent meetings and castings; and/or scheduling meetings with all 10 performers involved in the ‘About Time’ event.

Details of the artists due to perform are yet to be announced.

Photo: About Time.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.