Life Act - Making theatre out of our lives
Life Act is a performing company of adults with learning and/or physical disabilities who devise performances exploring living life with a disability, its joys, its trials and tribulations. We strongly support the social model of disability. They perform in schools, community groups and other venues.
Life Act is open access: we do not hold auditions and pride ourselves on never sending anyone away. The company has a very strong ethos, supportive of each other, not accepting limits to what we can do, and priding ourselves on our discipline and professionalism. As one member said, “I think the whole world should be like Life Act; it would be a much better place!”
We are currently funded by the Big Lottery Community Fund which includes an aspect which is supporting Life Act to become a disability led organisation.
Testimonials
“When we saw the range of difficulties and disabilities, we did wonder what sort of performance we were in for. We also wondered whether it would be difficult for our pupils to see older, struggling versions of themselves.
The result was extraordinary; the students were gripped and inspired by the quality and discipline of the performance, and many gave them a standing ovation!”
- Special School Headteacher
“A high quality, slick and thought provoking production, inclusive and extremely entertaining and enjoyable.”
- SMT member, Special School
“Yesterday’s performance from Life Act was absolutely outstanding. The quality of the content was moving, funny, challenging, heartwarming, uncomfortable, exciting, enthralling and beautifully performed. The play goes beyond the performances that often tour from lesser theatre companies that deal with issues of abuse and discrimination in a far more surface manner. It was by far and away the best performance on the subject of bullying and friendship that I have seen. The children came running up to me on the yard this morning, still buzzing with ‘the best play they’ve ever seen’. “
- Primary School Headteacher
“Life Act has had a positive impact on the Nayi Zindagi group of girls. The main factor being their sense of purpose. Each girl feels that she has a purpose in taking part in the Life Act sessions. The roles and the acting have made a significant impact on the interpersonal and social skills. Many of the girls come ‘out of their shell’ and the confidence they portray is outstanding. The group has increased their confidence to stand in front of an audience and to speak out. The girls feel valued and the encouragement and motivation they receive from the other Life act members as well as the audience is a great motivator for them.
Being part of Life Act has resulted a change of attitude in audience members and family members. Seeing these girls take part in such excellent performances shows that they are capable of achieving a great deal. It takes the word ‘ability’ out of the word ‘disability.”
- Rziah Asif Manager, Nayi Zindagi"
“Every Community should have the opportunity to experience ‘life act’. It is not yet another production, the name says it all, it is an aspect of human life acted out for us to become a more civilised society.
I can not stress how important I feel this work is, except to say that, if I were Michael Gove , ‘Life Act’ would be part of the National Curriculum.”
- Naveen Judah Chair, Rotherham Disability Network
“Please pass on my thanks to the cast and crew. People were much moved by the show. We loved the humour and it certainly made us think about the unconscious barriers we create and how we unintentionally disable people.”
- Polly Hamilton, Assistant Strategic Director, Culture. Leisure, Sport and Tourism, RMBC
Further details from Steve Rogers – team@rotherhamroar.org
