Reviews
24 November 2008
Within this section you will find reviews of work across the arts and disability spectrum by disabled writers. Please let us know what you think of our reviewers opinions, by filling in the comment form at the end of each article.
If you are interested in submitting a review of the work of a disabled or deaf artist, or would like to propose a work from within the field of disability arts to be reviewed, then please email editor@disabilityartsonline.org.uk
Review: Really Old, Like Forty Five by Tamsin Oglesby
8 March 2010
Kate Larsen reviews this 'furious comedy', which attempts to grapple with the realities of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Really Old, Like Forty Five is playing at the Cottesloe Theatre, London until 20 April 2010.
Review: Billy Childish - Unknowable but Certain at the ICA, London
22 February 2010
The Institute of Contemporary Arts exhibits Billy Childish's first major retrospective of work in London, bringing together a cross-section of works from the artists career as a musician, artist, novelist, film maker and poet. Colin Hambrook reviews the show by this talented, infamous artist.
Review: Caroline Cardus sees How to Look Good Naked... with a Difference
5 February 2010
Caroline Cardus reflects on the issues raised by Gok Wan's latest Channel 4 series - ‘How To Look Good Naked… with a Difference
Review: Wings are Giving Out by Sean Burn
21 December 2009
Wings are Giving Out is Sean Burn’s third full length collection from Skrev Press. Colin Hambrook reviews the latest collection from one of the UKs foremost experimental writers.
Review: Wild Things - Sounds of the Disabled Underground Vol 2
17 December 2009
Following the success of last year’s Wild Things CD, Brighton punk band Heavy Load launched the second compilation on their Get in or Get Out label on 10 December 2009 at Komedia, Brighton. Colin Hambrook reviews Volume 2, a double CD featuring artists from all over the world. All proceeds go towards the Stay Up Late campaign
Review: Jo Verrent sees Rita Marcalo's Involuntary Dances
12 December 2009
Jo Verrent witnesses Rita Marcalo's performance at Bradford Playhouse on 12 December 2009
Review: 100 Artists for World Aids Day, Sussex Beacon, Brighton
6 December 2009
100 Artists took part in an exhibition to raise money for the Sussex Beacon, at Concorde 2, Brighton on Saturday 29 November 2009. One of the artists, Bonny Cummins, gives a personal response to an emotional day.
Review: Climbing Mountains in the Dark by Cate Jacobs
2 December 2009
Colin Hambrook gives a personal response to a recently published collection of poems by Cate Jacobs titled 'Climbing Mountains in the Dark'
Review: DaDaFest09 - DaDaNoise at the Bluecoat, Liverpool
1 December 2009
Billed as a 'fusion of local musicians, performance art and songs...a night where anything goes,' DaDaNoise took over The Bluecoat, Liverpool on 28 November 2009.
Review: DaDaFest09 - Mat Fraser performs From Freak To Clique
30 November 2009
From Freak To Clique is a work-in-progress written and performed by Mat Fraser, currently starring in Channel 4s' Cast Offs. Mandy Redvers-Rowe caught Mat's performance - commissioned by DaDaFest - at the Bluecoat, Liverpool on November 27 2009
Review: DaDaFest 2009 - It Hasn’t Happened Yet by Liz Carr
26 November 2009
It Hasn’t Happened Yet! is a comedy about comedy that asks just who and what a disabled comedian can actually laugh at these days? Mandy Redvers-Rowe caught Liz Carr's performance at the Unity Theatre, Liverpool on 21 November 2009
Review: DaDaFest 2009 - Young DaDaFest at the World Museum Liverpool
26 November 2009
Young DaDaFest is an exhibition of artworks on show at World Museum Liverpool until December 5 2009. Susan Bennett visited.
Review: DaDaFest 2009 - Sally Booth at The Bluecoat
25 November 2009
Sally Booth received the Adam Reynolds Memorial Bursary in 2008. A series of light boxes inspired by her subsequent residency at the Bluecoat, Liverpool is on show there until 5 December 2009. Susan Bennett visited.
Review: DaDaFest 2009 - Resistance by Liz Crow
25 November 2009
Susan Bennett sees Resistance at the Contemporary Urban Centre, Liverpool. On now, until 5 December 2009.
Review: DaDaFest09 - Crossings by Julie McNamara
25 November 2009
Mandy Redvers-Rowe reviews Crossings by Julie McNamara - performed at The Unity Theatre, Liverpool on 20 November, as part of DaDaFest 2009.
Review: DaDaFest 2009 - Kevin Connolly's Rolling Exhibition at Open Eye Gallery
25 November 2009
Susan Bennett braves the weather to search for a major show - The Rolling Exhibition - by Kevin Connolly at Open Eye Gallery, part of DaDaFest 2009 in Liverpool
Review: Animation at Oska Bright Film Festival 2009
24 November 2009
Sarah Pickthall enjoys sheltering from a stormy, windy afternoon watching the latest animation work at Oska Bright 2009 in Hove
Review: DadaFest09 - the Magic Hour at FACT.
22 November 2009
Susan Bennett reviews The Magic Hour, a compilation of short stories by five different directors, each with a disability. The film, produced by leading producers, 104 Films, showed at FACT in Liverpool as part of DaDaFest09.
Review: Oska Bright Film Festival - The Big Awards Night
20 November 2009
The amazing Oska Bright International Film Festival in Hove - which had over 200 entries this year - ended with a final fling of celebration, partying and the presentation of awards to winning film-makers.
Review: Oska Bright 4th International Film Festival 2009
18 November 2009
Colin Hambrook catches the best of Oska Bright 2005 and 2007, plus some of the best of submissions from London and the South East on the first day of the film festival at the Old Market Arts Centre, Hove
Review: Austen's Women by Rebecca Vaughan & Guy Masterson
15 November 2009
Susan Bennett saw a new touring production based on characterisations of Jane Austen's women at the Crosby Civic Hall on 13 November 2009.
Review: Staff Benda Bilili start a dance revolution at the Dome, Brighton
14 November 2009
On the second night of their first UK tour, Congolese street musicians Staff Benda Bilili nearly start a riot in Brighton as they infect gig-goers with the dance vibe
Review: Cast Offs - Skins plus Shameless plus Disability equals what?
31 October 2009
Colin Hambrook sees Cast Offs, C4's challenging new comedy drama marooning six disabled actors on a reality-show remote island. Written by the team behind Skins and Shameless, Cast Offs starts 24 November.
Review: Miroslaw Balka's How It Is at Tate Modern - how it was for one visually impaired art lover
26 October 2009
Miroslaw Balka's installation at Tate Modern came with a certain amount of hype and, as I am registered blind, I was curious how I would experience it. I do have some useful vision, but absolutely zero night vision, so this was going to be interesting...
Review: Deafinitely Theatre Company perform Double Sentence
16 October 2009
Double Sentence presents some new departures in style for Deafinitely Theatre Company. Alan McLean saw the production at the Arena Theatre Wolverhampton on 1 October 2009.
Review: Jon Adams - the Goose on the Hill
14 October 2009
Colin Hambrook caught up with the opening of the ‘goose’ and offers his impressions of Jon Adams retrospective on show at Pallant House Gallery from 13 October – 22 November 2009
Decibel 09 review: Crossings by Julie McNamara
6 October 2009
Crossings was originally commissioned as a theatre work in progress by DaDa (Deaf and Disability Arts) Festival, Liverpool. Peter Street reflects on Julie McNamara's gripping piece of drama which examines racist times from the past with contemporary racist attitudes.
Review: D.Vercity European Disability Arts and Culture Festival 2009
29 September 2009
Disability arts went to Preston and Lancaster from 24 August - 6 September 2009. Peter Street caught some of the festival.
Decibel09 review: Jo Bannon pitches Claim to Fame
23 September 2009
Sarah Pickthall reviews Jo Bannon’s ‘pitch’, for her latest work 'Claim to Fame'
Decibel09 review: Metallicum by Anya Ustaszewski
23 September 2009
Sarah Pickthall reviews Composer/Sonic Artist Anya Ustaszewski’s showcase of 'Metallicum' - a work in progress.
Decibel 09 review: The Fish Police
21 September 2009
Jo Verrent sees The Fish Police rock the decibel09 performing arts showcase at Contact Theatre, Manchester
Decibel 09 review: Leadership Lounge
21 September 2009
Jo Verrent attended a decibel09 event at Manchester Town Hall to discuss issues around leadership among disabled people
Decibel 09 review: Fight Face by Tin Bath Theatre Company
17 September 2009
Jo Verrent went to see Fight Face - performed by Tin Bath - with Sophie Woolley and Nick Khan.
Decibel 09 review: Day two - the march of the bunnies!
17 September 2009
Jon Pratty went to Arts Council England's lively Decibel 2009 performing arts showcase - and saw a feast of dance, live art and some great music.
Decibel 09 review: first day of the performing arts showcase in Manchester
16 September 2009
Dao is covering the decibel09 showcase in Manchester with a small team of volunteer writers and snappers. Jon Pratty reports on what he liked on the first decibel09 day!
Decibel 09 review: No Idea by Lisa Hammond and Rachael Spence
15 September 2009
Kathryn Braithwaite reviews an innovative idea for a show all about approaching a random member of the public and asking them to go to your workplace and fill in for the day.
Review: Rachel High and Julie McNamara star in Steak and Chelsea Out to Lunch
7 September 2009
Kate Larsen caught a one-night only performance of a collaboration between Rachel High and Julie McNamara, at Brady Arts Centre, London on 2 September 2009
Review: Disability Action in Islington's 'Regular Freak Show'
1 September 2009
Kate Larsen reflects on a screening of Richard Butchins' documentary 'The Last American Freak Show', followed by a live performance from London's raw and edgy punk rock band Unity & DeVision at O2 Academy, Islington, London on 26 August 2009.
Review: Adam Hills' Inflatable at the Edinburgh Fringe 2009
22 August 2009
Jo Verrent reviews stand-up comic Adam Hill at the Edinburgh Fringe, where he is playing at the Assembly Rooms in George Street, until 31 August. Sunday performances are interpreted.
Review: Russell Jones presents Unleashed
12 August 2009
Colin Hambrook reviews Unleashed - an exhibition of paintings by Russell Jones presented by Creative Future at Brighton Media Centre Gallery July 2009
Review: 'Outside In' at Pallant House by Colin Hambrook
11 August 2009
Colin Hambrook revels in a show that puts outsider art centre stage in the delightful setting of Pallant House in Chichester. More than 500 artists sent over 800 works in to the show, with 150 selected for display. As the show opened, six prize winners were announced from the displayed entries.
Review: Liz Crow at centre stage on Antony Gormley's Fourth Plinth
9 August 2009
Allan Sutherland reviews Liz Crow's performance as part of Antony Gormley’s ‘One & Other’ on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square.
Review: Greenwich and Docklands International Festival 2009
21 July 2009
Liz Porter reflects on the programming of deaf and disabled artists at the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival 2009
Graeae Theatre Company: Against the Tide
9 July 2009
Kate Larsen was washed away by Graeae Theatre Company and Strange Fruits' performance at the Greenwich + Docklands International Festival on Friday 26 June 2009
Back to Back Theatre: Small Metal Objects
28 May 2009
Kate Cotton reviews a performance by Australia’s Back to Back theatre company
Review: Bobby Baker’s Diary Drawings, 'Mental illness and me', 1997-2008
6 May 2009
David Watson reviews an exhibition on show at The Wellcome Collection, Euston Road, London until 2 August 2009
Mind the Gap Theatre Company presents 'Boo'
3 May 2009
Adapted from Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mocking Bird', Mind the Gap bring their latest production to Oval House Theatre, London
15mm Films: The Way Out
14 April 2009
Bonny Cummins reviews 15mm films new commissioned film 'The Way Out'
Deafinitely Theatre: Double Sentence
11 February 2009
Melissa Mostyn caught Deafinitely Theatre's preview of Double Sentence, at Oval House Theatre, London on the 9th and 10th January 2009
Review: Peter Street: Thumbing from Lipik to Pakrac
11 February 2009
Matt Simpson reviews the latest collection of poetry by Peter Street
Review: Simon Mckeown's digital artwork 'Motion Disabled'
11 February 2009
Colin Hambrook went up to Wolverhampton Art Gallery to see a new exhibition by Simon Mckeown
Deaf Arts Network: Tools of Communication
18 January 2009
Melissa Mostyn reviews the work and examines the challenges faced by Deaf artists seeking to forge careers in the hearing world.
Living Where the Night’s Jive
16 January 2009
Liz Porter reviews Maggie Hampton's anthology of the life stories of ten disabled women engaged in the arts; written in their words. 'Living Where the Night’s Jive' was supported by the Welsh Books Council and has been published by Parthian Books.
Extant: Effing & Blinding Cabaret
17 December 2008
Extant's latest production at Rich Mix, which met with acclaim when it ran in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2008
Aaron Williamson: Performance, Video, Collaboration
14 December 2008
Colin Hambrook reviews the rise of Aaron Williamson as performance and video artist over the last eight years; as documented in a recent publication produced by The Live Art Development Agency.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
9 December 2008
A BBC Radio Drama, North production, developed in association with Graeae Theatre Company. Review by Colin Hambrook.
Rachel Gadsden: Whispers from the past
24 November 2008
Rachel Gadsden was appointed to be the first Artist in Residence at Hampton Court Palace In November 2007. Rachel has been uncovering stories trapped within the fibre of the building over the past year.
Review: High Wyrrd 2008
1 October 2008
An international showcase of disability, deaf and inclusive arts companies from around the globe took to the streets of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire between 19 - 21 September 2008.
Paralympic Handover day
23 September 2008
Liz Porter relived some memories at the Paralympic Handover event at Stoke Mandeville on 17 September 2008
Graham Lewis
2 September 2008
Some lively new work is on show as part of the St Ives September Festival
Art and Power: transformARTive
13 August 2008
Kate Cotton talks to art + power about their programme for supporting artists' professional development On the eve of their tenth anniversary art + power showed their latest exhibition, transformARTive at the Grant Bradley Gallery, in their hometown of
Dada-South @ DadaFest International 2008
25 July 2008
Dada-South bursary winners sampled the rich and diverse programme of events at DaDaFest International 2008 and were invited to report back in a range of ways.
Signdance Collective: Three Films + One
11 July 2008
Signdance lead the way in experimental performance with their most challenging piece of work to date
The Signdance Collective premiered the launch of their new production Three Films + One at Holton Lee on 28 June 2008.
Explore: Disabled and Deaf People engaging with Galleries
23 June 2008
Artist Alan Mclean talks about working with Ethnic Advocacy and Apna Women's Group from Walsall.
Nabil Shaban: The First To Go
26 May 2008
Robert Softley reviews Nabil Shaban's play about the holocaust
Ju Gosling: Abnormal
25 April 2008
Joe McConnell reviews Ju Gosling's recent exhibition culminating from her residency with the National Institute of Medical Research
The Almond and the Seahorse by Kaite O’Reilly
14 March 2008
Sara Beer reviews a performance of Kaite O’Reilly's play, on tour in Wales and Manchester
Static by Graeae Theatre Company
7 March 2008
Robert Softely reviewed Graeae's touring production in March 2008.
X’08 London's 8th International Disability Film Festival
6 March 2008
Allan Sutherland reviews X'08 London's 8th International Disability Film Festival
In Touch with Art: Conference on Art, Museums and Visual Impairment
11 January 2008
Liz Porter attends an International Conference on Art, Museums and Visual Impairment held November 2007 at the V&A, London
Laurence Clarke: 12% Evil
24 December 2007
Tanya Raabe reviews Laurence Clark sizing himself up to find out just how evil he can be
Theatre Resource: The Conquest of the South Pole
17 December 2007
A moving play about the problem of long-term unemployment, in which four disabled friends stave off the despair of joblessness by re-enacting Amundsen's expedition to the South Pole.
Djamu: Cornwall Festival of Disability Arts
12 December 2007
Graham Lewis reviews Equata's festival of disability arts
Liz Carr: It Hasn’t Happened Yet
12 December 2007
Liz Carr is taking disability comedy to new boundaries with her latest show
Julie McNamara: Pig Tales
9 November 2007
Julie McNamara tours the UK with her story of sex, religion and psychiatry
The Studio Project: Intoart
9 November 2007
Tim Hayton investigates a project based in South London set up to support artists who have no access to mainstream art education
New Life: Blind In Theatre Festival Croatia 2007
6 November 2007
Maria Oshodi reports back on Extant's recent visit to the fifth international Blind in Theatre Festival held in Zagreb in October.
Oska Bright 2007
30 October 2007
Colin Hambrook reviews the latest Oska Bright at the Old Market Arts Centre and talks to some of the steering committee.
Liberty Festival 2007
7 September 2007
Colin Hambrook reviews this year's big disability celebration in Trafalgar Square
Yinka Shonibare: Adam Reynolds bursary
27 August 2007
Colin Hambrook and Joe McConnell respond to a talk by Yinka Shonibare at the Shape's launch of the Adam Reynolds bursary
Christine Finn: Leave Home Stay
27 August 2007
Colin Hambrook talks about the impact of Christine Finn's installation 'Leave-Home-Stay'
Edinburgh Fringe 2007
26 August 2007
Jo Verrent reviews eight disability-related shows at the Edinburgh Festival
Arts and Disability Ireland: Face On
10 May 2007
Joe McConnell reviews Face On, a new disability arts reader, published by Arts and Disability Ireland
Kaite O'Reilly: Beyond Victims and Villains
8 May 2007
Kaite O'Reilly reviews a groundbreaking collection of Contemporary Plays by Disabled Playwrights
Danny Start: To Be Continued...
8 May 2007
Peter Street reviews a script-in-hand performance at the Bolton Octagon March 2007
Heavy Load: The Queen Mother's Dead
8 May 2007
Lloyd Page reviews the latest release from a great new punk band from Lewes, Sussex
Envisage Review
8 May 2007
Liz Porter reviews the current status of Audio Description, in response to a symposium at the Oxford Playhouse
Tommy McHugh: The Universe Explodes
8 May 2007
Danny Start reviews a Liverpool artist whose creativity came to the fore after having a stroke
Disability Arts Cymru: The Unusual Stage School
1 February 2007
The Unusual Stage School; Mat Fraser gives an assessment of a new theatre project launched by Disability Arts Cymru.
Sign Dance Collective: But Beautiful
1 February 2007
Melissa Mostyn reviews Sign Dance Collective's latest show But Beautiful and raises some thought-provoking questions.
Paddy Masefield: Strength
16 December 2006
Deborah Williams went to a launch of Paddy Masefield's book. She recounts her first impressions of the man, his passion and commitment to disability arts.
Inner Worlds Outside
16 December 2006
Colin Hambrook went to the Whitechapel Gallery in London to see the latest exposure of Outsider Art.
Peter Campbell: Brown Linoleum Green Lawns
16 December 2006
Peter Campbell's first poetry collection, published by Hearing Eye, is reviewed by Joe Bidder
Deborah Williams: oUo maan
16 December 2006
Lindsay Carter caught Deborah William's; one-woman show oUo maan at Caedmon Hall, Gateshead
The Disabled Avant-Garde Today!
16 December 2006
DAO reveiws Aaron Williamson and Katherine Araniello's latest exhibition
The Fingersmiths: In Praise of Fallen Women
16 December 2006
The Fingersmiths latest production incorporates spoken and projected text with theatricalised British Sign Language. Penny Pepper caught their performance at the Drill Hall, London.
Birds Eye festival
16 December 2006
Penny Pepper tells us about the Bird's Eye View Festival of women's film
Paul Cade: Light Being
16 December 2006
Colin Hambrook looks at Paul Cade's Light Beingwithin the context of disability arts.
On The Next Level: Space Between
16 December 2006
Tony Heaton reviews this wide-ranging, exploratory exhibition, which has been touring the south-west.
Lynn Manning: Weights
1 July 2005
Colin Hambrook saw the new production of Lynn Manning's autobiographical play Weights in Brighton, at the beginning of its UK tour.
Henri Matisse: Drawing with Scissors. Late Works 1950-1954
1 April 2005
Colin Hambrook reviews a touring exhibition by one of the most important French painters of the 20th century
Mind the Gap: On the Verge
1 March 2005
A review of Jez Colborne’s (aka J C Jamma) one-man show, On the Verge.
Extant: Resistance
1 January 2005
Extant are the only blind theatre company in the UK. Over the past few years they have been developing new styles to create access for blind performers and audiences alike.
Oska Bright Film Festival 2004
1 January 2005
A festival of short films by people with learning disabilities.
Robert Wyatt: Free Will and Testament
1 December 2004
Colin Hambrook wonders why disabled artists of the repute of Robert Wyatt have never joined the fray within the disability movement?
Sign Dance Collective showreel
1 December 2004
Sign Dance Collective are fast developing a Europe-wide reputation for their imaginative new style of sign dance theatre. Colin reviews their show reel.
Yinka Shonibare: Turner Prize (2004)
1 December 2004
Deborah Williams reviews the work of Turner Prize (2004) nominee Yinka Shonibare.
Caroline Cardus: The Way Ahead
1 December 2004
Natalie Andrews from Dada-South writes about the touring exhibition Way Ahead.
Xposure 2004: London Festival of Deaf and Disability Arts
1 December 2004
The third Xposure Arts Festival, which ran from 1 to 27 November 2004, is one of the largest festivals of disabled artists and performers in the UK.