Exclusively In-Person Theatre Productions is a Step Backwards for Disabled People in The Arts
By Jake Michael, writer for Mobility Solutions Direct
UK theatres have reopened their doors following the pandemic-induced lockdown, but a persistent problem of accessibility for both disabled performers and audiences has come to the forefront.
The shift to online streaming during the pandemic brought a new sense of inclusivity for disabled and chronically ill people, raising hopes for a more accessible future in theatre.
However, as major UK theatres returned to in-person shows, the prospect of a more accessible arts sector appeared to be diminishing. For disabled actor and screenwriter Nicola Chegwin, this shift exemplified the ongoing struggle for accessibility in theatre.
Nicola, who started out as a non-disabled actor, aspired to become a performer at a young age and pursued drama school. However, at 19 years old, Nicola was hit by a taxi, which resulted in her developing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome caused by severe nerve damage and leading to her reliance on a wheelchair. This left her uncertain about her future in theatre.
Nicola recalled of her experience: “After my accident, I wasn’t sure theatre was something I could be involved in again. I had to find my way back to it because it’s not really an accessible medium for disabled people.”
Following her accident, Nicola sometimes tried to hide her disability, occasionally using a walking stick for mobility. However, the challenges of accessing theatre quickly became apparent once she left drama school, and a ‘humiliating’ audition experience where her accessibility needs were ignored left her in tears.
She recalled: “I was sat in the corner while everyone else ran around, jumped, and danced. When they did get me involved, I had a succession of four dance partners who hadn’t been told I didn’t like to be pulled, pulling at my arms and pushing me.”
Despite this, the Covid-19 pandemic transformed the theatre industry and how it can be accessed. Production companies turned to online streaming, offering features like subtitles, sign language interpreters, and audio descriptions, making theatre more accessible.
This was only temporary, however, as following the end of lockdown restrictions in summer 2021, theatres quickly returned to exclusive in-person shows that have been criticised by disabled people including Nicola for reverting to an approach to entertainment that was centred predominantly on non-disabled audiences.
Nicola said: “During the pandemic, we discovered so many ways to get the arts to people who wouldn’t normally access them. But now we’ve gone back to an able-bodied way of operating.”
She argued that the decision to stream performances during lockdown was put in place because ‘able-bodied people needed it’ and once theatres reopened completely, ‘they also decided disabled people didn’t need’ live streaming anymore.
Nicola said: “I do understand theatres need to get audiences to make money, but I think that is to the detriment of people who really enjoyed accessing theatre in a way they weren’t able to before.”
However, Nicola’s work with the Birds of Paradise Theatre Company, an organisation dedicated to disability equality in theatre, highlighted positive steps towards accessibility for disabled performers.
During rehearsals of Don’t Make Tea with Birds of Paradise, Nicola received heaters to help with her muscle spasms and had a personal assistant who facilitated her participation. She attributed the company’s approach to accessibility to an Access Rider they provided, a form that ‘let them know what they can do to help me access, rather than what I am not able to do.’
Despite the challenges, the emergence of online performances and trailblazing disability-friendly theatre companies keeps Nicola optimistic about the future of accessibility in the arts. This is provided that theatres continue to include elevators, stair lifts, accessible seating, and facilities in their venues where possible.
When it comes to how disabled performers navigate the arts, Nicola concluded: “Disabled people don’t just survive, we thrive, and that’s what disabled people in the arts are passionate about.”
By Jake Michael, writer for Mobility Solutions Direct