Pioneering Accessible Theatre with Concrete Youth

Our journey into accessible theatre began at the Henshaws Artmaker Symposium and Festival in 2023. Daniel Swift, CEO and Co-Artistic Director of Concrete Youth, inspired us with his passion for making theatre accessible to everyone. After his engaging talk, we watched Concrete Youth perform Whispering Jungle at the Arts & Crafts Centre. The performance moved us and sparked an exciting question: how could we work together to champion inclusive arts?

Accessible Theatre Through Collaboration

This shared vision quickly turned into action. Concrete Youth partnered with Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre, and our art makers got to work on sensory props for their production of Cinders.

Daniel’s creative brief challenged our art makers to craft props that brought the audience closer to the story. They designed rags for Cinders’ dress, disco ball mirrors, and ceramic bowls that encouraged sensory interaction through touch, smell, and sound. The project pushed our art makers to adopt a more structured approach, ensuring every piece was durable, functional, and perfect for accessible theatre.

Celebrating Creativity and Innovation

• Textile Workshop
  Our textile team, led by Lizzie, transformed fabrics into beautiful rags for Cinders’ dress. David and Jess mastered natural dyeing, experimenting with leaves, coffee, and rusty nails. Lyndsey added a storytelling touch by embroidering words like “midnight” and “ugly sisters,” bringing Cinders’ journey to life.
• Ceramic Workshop
  Jenna shaped sensory-rich ceramic bowls, rolling out clay and using molds to create the perfect forms. Clare added a tactile sparkle with slips and glazes, producing bowls that dazzled with a disco ball effect.
• Paper Workshop
  The paper workshop team, led by Andrew, crafted disco ball mirrors. Andrew also mentored Emma in creating vibrant paper pulp, while Debra and Vicky produced hundreds of paper quills. Debra beamed, “I’m thrilled that our work is part of a West End show!”

A Milestone for Accessible Theatre

Art makers Jenna and Clare traveled to London with staff members Kate and Sharon for the opening night of Cinders. Seeing their work on stage in a West End production filled them with pride and a sense of achievement.

Driving Inclusion in the Arts

Reflecting on the project, Zoe Phillips, a key leader in the collaboration, said:

“This opportunity gave our art makers a platform to showcase their skills and make arts accessible both on and offstage. It’s a trailblazing step toward greater diversity and inclusion in accessible theatre.”

Looking Ahead

This project demonstrates how accessible theatre transforms creative spaces and changes lives. Over 30 art makers contributed their skills, showcasing the power of inclusion.

Art Makers: Nat Maynard, Danny Fryer, Paul Carr, Rebecca Stevens, Abbey Nothers, Natasha Garland, Phillipa Eckford, Olivia Thornton, David Leadham, Linda McClean, Michelle Oberholzer, Sarah Bhatti, Jenna Foster, Stephanie Humphreys, Jacob Pulham, Ann Swift, Jess Parkinson, Oliver Fawcett, Jess Shepherd, Andrew Morrison, Debra Roberts, Emma Hughes, Vicky Pinder, Clare Sapherson, Holly Fiddes.

Staff: Adrian Beesley, Zoe Phillips, Kate Jennings, Lizzie Medley, Poppy Davis, Fiona Biddington, Helen Schroeter, Shaeron Caton Rose, Shirley Hudson, Sharon Hockin, Catriona Elvin, Lisa Hart.

We’re grateful to Concrete Youth for commissioning this work and look forward to future collaborations that continue breaking barriers in accessible theatre.