Mining your own experiences can be really wonderful and connect a lot of people. I just think it shouldn’t be the only thing disabled artists should be supported to write. It’s one of our many stories.
Kat Bond
Why do you think we see so many iterations of “the diagnosis show”?
I think if I’m honest if you’re a storyteller and something is happening in your life you’re naturally going to tell that story.
Mining your own experiences can be really wonderful and connect a lot of people. I just think it shouldn’t be the only thing disabled artists should be supported to write. It’s one of our many stories.
How did your piece start life? Was there an initial seed of an idea or a moment that made you think “I need to make The Making of the Eye Show”?
I had an idea about inheriting things. Wrote a spoof will. I wrote something about black bags. Surprisingly to no one these didnt feel like a eureka moments.
It started riffing around the idea of eyes and then my eyes then THE SOLO DIAGNOSIS show and the exceptions around that. Me trying to get exploring my disability and the show ‘right’ was the first ‘ah there’s something in this’ moment. I tried 15 minutes as part of the excellent soho theatres makers lab and discovered that the comic tone was something I enjoyed playing with.
Can you tell us what it’s like to have your piece be part of The Acts?
It’s thrilling to get to explore fully integrated access and to be directed by Jamie! Also as a solo maker to have the support of a creative team is a gift.
The Making of the Eye Show features clowning and stand up – what drew you to these art forms over stereotypical “pity party pieces”?
My background is in comedy, clowning and wonky stand up & it can be magic way of connecting with the audience. There is room for a couple of days of pity (preferably empathy) but as long as it’s mixed in with laughs and lunch. Don’t forget lunch.
Why did you apply to the CRIPtic Arts Launchpad programme?
The company are extraordinarily and everyone I spoke to raves about them. Also what came out in the initial research / early stages of the process is that ‘the character’ was desperately in need of a community & to not make a show for just sighted and non disabled audiences. I am an access support worker when not acting and writing but still had lots of fear around getting access wrong.
So In essence – friends!
What are you most excited about for the show at Tobacco Factory Theatres?
To watch the other shows and to work with a bsl interpreter. It will be the first time that my own work will be signed!
The Acts comes to Tobacco Factory Theatres 3rd – 4th September.
You can book tickets here.
