An immersive installation for and about the disabled experience, is coming to Maketank on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October.
Squeeze Box is an experimental, interactive work which explores the impact of social care cuts. It employs live performance, soundscapes and video projection to convey the almost out-of-body experience of going through social care needs assessment.
Audiences are invited to drop in from midday onwards to take part in the installation, engage with the artist or just spectate. Each afternoon culminates in a performance beginning at 6pm after which discussion on the themes explored in the work takes place.
A British Sign Language interpreter will be present throughout and audience descriptions will be available for the evening performance.
Squeeze Box. Image: SouthWest Theatre Photography.
Hugh Malyon, a south west-based artist who uses his lived experience of disability to create digital media, theatre and performance work, is the production’s lead artist and central storyteller.
He is the recipient of residencies and bursaries from RADA, Jerwood, Torbay Culture and others, and is an assistant facilitator at Theatre Royal Plymouth.
He is supported in this production by sound artist and musician Steve Sowden and creative technologist Tim Dollimore of The Media Workshop.
Sam Parker and Jennifer Noice provided dramaturgical support and Clair Sargeant provided artistic and access consultancy services.
Squeeze Box takes place on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 October 2023 at Maketank in Paris Street. Doors open at midday with the main performance from 6pm.
Entry costs a minimum of £1, which is compensated in the form of refreshments, with attendees invited to pay more if they can. Proceeds will be used to help Maketank support local independent artists.
More information is available on the Maketank website.
Questions or concerns about access to or themes explored in Squeeze Box can be addressed to producer Shelley Hodgson via email.
