Celebrating diversity in arts in Castle Park

The showpiece event of Doing Things Differently – a festival celebrating diversity in the arts – is busy rehearsing in Castle Park.

Weighting by Extraordinary Bodies – a collective that formed after collaborating at the London 2012 Paralympics opening ceremony – takes place on September 17 and 18.

It is presented by Diverse City and Bristol City Council’s culture team, and funded by Arts Council England.

Performed by a mixture of deaf, disabled and able-bodied performers, Weighting tells the story of a family, taking the audience through love, loss and determination as the actors swing, leap and fly through the air. The aim of the piece is to transcend expectations of disability.

“Bristol has a long history of different communities living here so it’s already immersed in diversity,” Diverse City chief executive Claire Hodgson told Bristol24/7.

“But I think it’s important for people to see works made by different types of artists, and we’re hoping to raise awareness for disability in the arts in the South West.”

Hodgson wants the audience to enjoy watching live performance, but she also hopes that people will go away asking questions.

“We want them to ask where disabled performers are in most performances. Disabled people make up 20 per cent of the population, but they are almost completely absent on our stages. We want to prompt people to think how we can make these people more visible.”

The performances on Saturday and Sunday will be scored by a live band and mass community choir.

Deaf actor and Weighting performer David Ellington says the choir is integral, as the show is all about drawing communities together: “It creates a new atmosphere for people to take part in.”

Ellington is also featured in the trailer for the Rio Paralympics, which continues as the Doing Things Differently festival begins.

“It’s perfect timing,’ Ellington says. “Having these events around diversity and equality in the arts for the public here in Bristol, at the same time as the Paralympics are happening in Rio.”

Hodgson adds: “The Paralympics has done a lot to change the way in which people view disability, and people now recognise that there’s a whole wealth of talent and ability amongst the disabled community.

“We’re simply trying to raise the profile in the arts in the same way the Paralympics has done for athletes.”

The festival not only contains a multitude of performances around the city this week, it’s also taking further steps to support those affected by disability.

One of the schemes set up is Extraordinary Leaders, aiming to support young people.

Keziah Benbow, who grew up caring for her mum, is on the mentoring scheme. Having graduated with a degree in dance two months ago, she is being supported by the festival to follow a career in workshop leadership.

“My role as a child was to support my mum,” she says, “and as an adult I’d like to support other people.”

The message of the festival is best summarised by Benbow: “Nothing should ever limit your creativity, and the things you’ll reach for. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can always achieve something wonderful like this.”

For tickets and more information, visit www.doingthingsdifferently.org.uk/events/weighting/

Read more: Preview: Doing Things Differently festival