07 February 2019
Newsdesk
The Isle of Brimsker is the latest bold and exciting production devised specifically for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) from Frozen Light theatre company. Premiering in 2018, The Isle of Brimsker now embarks on a much extended tour, seeking to engage with new audiences and enable more people with PMLD the chance to experience the theatre.
Exploring friendship, isolation and how we react to change, The Isle of Brimsker immerses audiences with PMLD in a multi-sensory story of discovery. People with PMLD are among the most excluded in society with over 16,000 people in England living with PMLD (Lancaster Centre of Disability Research). The Isle of Brimsker has been developed specifically for these audiences and this performance has been structured to provide an accessible and theatrical environment which responds to the needs of this group by being performed at a close proximity, to small groups and with strong sensory and participation elements.
The play follows a lighthouse keeper who lives on a desolate outcrop surrounded by stormy seas. Duty bound to maintain the light that guides boats away from danger, she lives a solitary existence. One day a runaway lands on the shore, together they face the inevitable. Change is on the horizon but not in the form she expects. How do you survive when faced with the biggest decisions of your life? Would you change the world or change yourself?
There are only a small number of theatre companies worldwide who make work designed for people with PMLD, so for many in the audience seeing Frozen Light’s work will be their first time in a mainstream theatre venue.
Performing to an intimately sized audience, the three-strong cast accompanies the audience from the foyer into the performance space, ensuring a smooth transition into the theatre environment.
Frozen Light Co-Artistic Director Amber Onat Gregory, says, The theatre should be for everybody, and more and more venues are starting to look at their programme to see how they can be more accessible, how they can reach all sections of society. With this tour we will be reaching more people with PMLD than ever which we are really excited about.
Lucy Garland, Frozen Light’s other Co-Artistic director, added, We are really thrilled about our new show The Isle of Brimsker. With this production we have pushed the sensory exploration further than ever before and can’t wait to see what reactions our audience have to the show. The show explores themes of transition and friendship and we hope this resonates with our audience. We have worked with some exciting commissioning partners on this project and, now we have premiered the show, are excited to take it to audiences throughout the country.
Frozen Light launched in 2012 as a response to the fact that arts venues rarely cater for audiences with complex disabilities. In 2016 they presented the first ever Edinburgh Fringe show specifically made for audiences with PMLD, to sell out audiences. They returned to the Fringe in 2017 as part of the British Council Showcase.
Performance Dates
31st January – 1st February Lincoln – Lincoln Performing Arts Centre
University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS
Box Office: 01522 837 600, www.lpac.co.uk
5th – 6th February Wolverhampton – Arena Theatre
Wulfruna Street, West Midlands, WV1 1SE
Box Office: 01902 321 321, www.wlv.ac.uk/arena-theatre
7th – 8th February Barnsley – The Civic
Hanson Street, Barnsley, S70 2HZ
Box Office: 01226 327 000, www.barnsleycivic.co.uk
11th – 12th February Portsmouth – New Theatre Royal
20-24 Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth, PO1 2DD
Box Office: 023 9264 9000, www.newtheatreroyal.com
13th – 14th February London – artsdepot
5 Nether Street, Tally Ho Corner, London, N12 0GA
Box Office: 020 8369 5454, www.artsdepot.co.uk
18th – 19th February Llanelli – Ffwrnes
Park Street, Llanelli, SA15 3YE
Box Office: 0345 2263 510, www.theatrausirgar.co.uk
20th February Blackwood – Blackwood Miners’ Institute
High Street, Blackwood, Gwent, NP12 1BB
Box Office: 01495 227 206, www.blackwoodminersinstitute.com
21st – 22nd February Cardiff – Chapter Arts Centre
Market Road, Canton, Cardiff, CF5 1QE
Box Office: 029 2030 4400, www.chapter.org
28th February Edinburgh – The Studio
13-29 Nicolson St, Edinburgh, EH8 9FT
Box Office: 0131 529 6000, www.capitaltheatres.com
1st – 2nd March Doncaster – CAST
Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU
Box Office: 01302 303 959, www.castindoncaster.com
6th – 7th March Dorchester – Dorchester Arts
Corn Exchange, High East Street, Dorchester, DT1 1HF
Box Office: 01305 266926, www.dorchesterarts.org.uk
8th March Corby – The Core at Corby Cube
George Street, Corby, NN17 1QG
Box Office: 01536 470470, www.thecorecorby.com
9th – 10th March Derby – Derby Theatre
15 Theatre Walk, St Peter’s Quarter, Derby, DE1 2NF
Box Office: 01332 593 939, www.derbytheatre.co.uk
18th – 19th March Hereford – The Courtyard
Edgar Street, Hereford, HR4 9JR
Box Office: 01432 340 555, www.courtyard.org.uk
20th March Southport – The Atkinson
Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB
Box Office: 01704 533 333, www.theatkinson.co.uk
28th March Salisbury – Salisbury Arts Centre
Bedwin Street, Salisbury, SP1 3UT
Box Office: 01722 320 333, www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk
29th – 30th March Folkestone – Quarterhouse
Mill Bay, Folkestone, Kent, CT20 1BN
Box office: 01303 760 750, www.quarterhouse.co.uk
3rd – 4th April Great Torrington – The Plough Arts Centre
9–11 Fore Street, Great Torrington, Devon, EX38 8HQ
Box Office: 01805 624 624, www.theploughartscentre.org.uk
5th – 6th April Truro – Burrell Theatre
Trennick Lane, Truro, TR1 1TH
Box Office: 01872 246 038, www.burrelltheatre.com
23rd – 27th April Salford – The Lowry
Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ
Box Office: 0843 208 6010, www.thelowry.com
29th – 30th April Newcastle upon Tyne – Northern Stage
Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RH
Box Office: 0191 230 5151, www.northernstage.co.uk
3rd – 4th May London – Stratford Circus Arts Centre
Theatre Square, Stratford, London, E15 1BX
Box Office: 020 8279 1080, www.stratford-circus.com
7th – 8th May Coventry – Warwick Arts Centre
University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL
Box Office: 024 7652 4524, www.warwickartscentre.co.uk
9th May Malvern – Malvern Theatre
Malvern Theatres, Grange Road, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR14 3HB
Box Office: 01684 892 277, www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
13th – 14th May Exeter – Northcott Theatre
Stocker Road, Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QB
Box Office: 01392 726 363, www.exeternorthcott.co.uk
15th May Taunton – Tacchi Morris Arts Centre
School Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8PD
Box Office: 01823 414 141, www.tacchi-morris.com
20th – 22nd May Scarborough – Stephen Joseph Theatre
Westborough, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO11 1JW
Box Office: 01723 370 541, http://www.sjt.uk.com
23rd – 24th May Nottingham – Lakeside Arts
University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD
Box Office: 0115 846 7777, www.lakesidearts.org.uk
29th May Glenrothes – Rothes Halls
Kingdom Shopping Centre, Glenrothes, KY7 5NX
Box Office: 01592 611 101, www.onfife.com
30th – 31st May Glasgow – Platform
The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Glasgow, G34 9JW
Box Office: 0141 276 9696, www.platform-online.co.uk
1st June Stirling – Macrobert Arts Centre
University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA
Box Office: 01786 466 666, www.macrobertartscentre.org
4th June Aberdeen – The Lemon Tree
5 West North Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5AT
Box Office: 01224 641 122, www.aberdeenperformingarts.com
5th – 6th June Lyth – Lyth Arts Centre
Lyth, Wick, Scotland, KW1 4UD
Box Office: 01955 641 434, www.lytharts.org.uk
7th – 8th June Inverness – Eden Court Theatre
Bishops Road, Inverness, IV3 5SA
Box Office: 01463 234 234, www.eden-court.co.uk
