*Online booking for this event has now CLOSED. Please call +44 (0)20 3075 1543 for ticket availability or email history@rcplondon.ac.uk*

'Francesca Martinez's wobbly manifesto' and 'Let us tell you a story'

Acclaimed comedian Francesca Martinez and the Deaf Men Dancing group perform exciting, new, provocative works examining attitudes towards difference in a society that values some lives more than others.

Tickets: £10 per person, concessions £5 (carers and assistants free)
Public event (RECOMMENDED AGE 15+)

If you experience any issues with our new online booking system, please email history@rcplondon.ac.uk or call 020 3075 1543 and we will be able to arrange a convenient time for you to book tickets over the phone.

This event is part of the UK-wide Exceptional & Extraordinary project. A second evening of performances, featuring playwright Julie McNamara and documentary maker David Hevey, takes place at the RCP on 13 June 2016 (tickets sold separately).

Access provision: BSL interpreter, audio description, speech to text (Q+A)

Programme

• 5.30pm: Reception drinks and a chance to view our museum collections and award-winning 'Re-framing disability' exhibition.
• 6.30pm:
  • Deaf Men Dancing, 'Let us tell you a story' – a new, highly original, multi-sensory dance production with a unique fusion of different styles of dance with sign language, inviting you on a journey to explore deaf history in an entirely new way.
  • 'Francesca Martinez's wobbly manifesto' – Francesca explores how humanity has chosen to handle (or not) disability over the decades and invites us all to consider how embracing diversity as normal could, in fact, revolutionise the world we live in
  • Q&A with the artists

About the artists

Francesca Martinez is an award-winning wobbly comedian, actress, writer and campaigner. Since winning the Open Mic Award at the Edinburgh Festival in 2000, she has toured the world and appeared in TV shows such as Live at the Apollo, The Jonathan Ross Show and Extras. Her first book What the **** is normal was published in 2014 to critical acclaim and was nominated for two national book awards. She has recently supported Frankie Boyle on his UK tour, and is currently working on several BBC and theatre commissions. An active campaigner, she is also involved with the People's Assembly Against Austerity, the War On Welfare petition, and has helped organise the UK-wide JC4PM Tour in support of Jeremy Corbyn.

Mark Smith is the founder and artistic director for Deaf Men Dancing (DMD), an innovative all-male dance company who, like Mark, are deaf. Together they have created a fusion of dance styles that incorporate sign language, creating an original aesthetic. DMD have performed internationally including DanceEast’s 1st Anniversary Gala, E4’s Battlefront, London’s 2012 Deaf Day, Candoco’s 20th anniversary cabaret, Brighton Festival and Clin d’Oeil Deaf Art International Festival, France. DMD was commissioned by Greenwich+Docklands International Festival to create a new work called 'TEN' that was premiered at National Paralympic Day featuring Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival 2014. Mark was invited by Sadler’s Wells Theatre to premiere DMD’s new work called 'Hear! Hear!' at =dance. Commissioned by Michael Nunn and Billy Trevitt – artistic directors of Ballet Boyz – Mark choreographed a short film, 'My silent world', where he collaborated with film director Luke Aherne for Channel 4’s Random Acts. In 2015, Live Theatre UK awarded Mark best choreographer for The Who’s Tommy.

Access information

The Royal College of Physicians' Grade I listed building has step-free access to all areas via central lifts, an internal glass lift and side entrances. Due to the number of steps within the building, step-free access can involve taking alternative routes. Full directional information will be provided on arrival.

Please contact history@rcplondon.ac.uk or call +44 (0)20 3075 1543 in advance to discuss your access requirements.

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