The Coliseum joined forces with TripleC and DANC (Disabled Artist Networking Community) to commission, produce and present short audio plays by writers who are part of DANC, based on the theme of ‘Distance’.

TripleC is a disabled led arts organisation that creates projects to break down the barriers for people with disabilities accessing the arts. DANC is the professional strand of TripleC that champions solution focussed events, workshops and conversations between disabled artists and key industry decision makers to increase representation, inclusivity and employment of disabled artists in the arts and media sector.

Our three selected plays take us from the dancefloor through the phoneline to the great wide galaxy, giving us a glimpse at the world inspired by the writers’ real-life experiences. All actors cast in the episode are also members of DANC.

#DistancebyDANC

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1. Introduction from Artistic Director Chris Lawson

2. Personal Space by Adam Fenton

Read by: Milton Lopes as Sam

Adam said: “During lockdown I, like many people, have been experiencing anxiety about leaving the house. To counteract this I’ve been doing a lot of writing to keep my mind occupied, so when I saw the opportunity to write for the Coliseum’s Mini-Podcast Series I knew I wanted to submit something. I played with a few ideas around the theme but I was struggling and couldn’t settle on anything I was really happy with. With an hour to go before submissions closed I suddenly realised what I should be writing about. Instead of trying to distract from my anxiety I should explore it through writing and combine it with something that gives me comfort; space! It was down to the wire, but I managed to write Personal Space and submit it just before the deadline. The result was a piece a bit closer to the heart that I’m very happy with.”

3. From a Distance By Andrew Duffy

Read by: Caron Rae-Brand as Nan and Fergus Rattigan as Andy

Andrew said: “From a Distance was inspired by my daily conversations with my nan. She has dementia and lives in a care home in Romiley. Sadly, we lost my granddad, who also lived there, in February, but she is not aware he is no longer alive, as it would’ve been too hard for her. She says he is there and is often at work. She has had coronavirus whilst in the home, but was asymptomatic. She really enjoys our chats every day. As we are both shielding I was playing around with her interpretation of the word. Like everyone, I look forward to the day we can meet up and hug our loved ones again.”

4.  25 Metres From Salsa by Karen Featherstone

Read by: Caron Rae-Brand as Sheila, Porcelain Delaney as Physio and Simon Startin as Alf

Karen said: “25 Metres From Salsa is inspired by my experience of having a medication withheld until symptoms worsened. I wanted Alf to occupy that strange headspace in which he knows his condition must deteriorate in order for it to have the best chance of improving…”

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Learn more at: www.coliseum.org.uk/minipodcast-e04/

Launched on World Theatre Day 2020 (27 March), Oldham Coliseum's Mini-Podcast Series shares original works by people of all ages and backgrounds from the communities the theatre serves. The series features new works by well-known names, disabled artists, professional playwrights, emerging writers and young people from the local area.