The Handless Maiden project: phase 1: Research & Development
The Arts Council England funded Equart in 2007 to research the representation of disability in the opera profession. Our findings revealed that talented singers with impairments are trained to professional level in music colleges in the UK (in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995), but that at present they are unable to take up work in the opera profession. Interviewing representatives of the opera industry, heads of music colleges, disability organisations and visually impaired performers revealed several reasons for this, amongst which were health and safety issues on stage, and, in the case of visual impairments, the practical problems of communicating the conductor’s intentions to a VIP, and of moving around on stage during a performance. After the Handless maiden project, EQUART collaborated with the electronic engineering department of Queen Elizabeth’s College, London University, (The Baton Project 2008), internationally renowned conductor Paul Daniel (2008), and the technical director at Winchester University’s Performing Arts Centre (2010). As a result we produced a design for a remote control navigation system for visually impaired performers on stage, for which we were awarded a UK patent in 2012 (GB 2460278). |
The Handless Maiden project phase 2 :The Handless Maiden Opera
The Handless Maiden opera was the development phase of the Arts council project. A world first, the opera was cast from performers with disabilities and was performed at the old Naval college, Greenwich, in October 2008. Based on a Grimms fairy tale it was devised with the involvement of the cast themselves, written and directed by Virginia de Ledesma.
The Handless Maiden opera was the development phase of the Arts council project. A world first, the opera was cast from performers with disabilities and was performed at the old Naval college, Greenwich, in October 2008. Based on a Grimms fairy tale it was devised with the involvement of the cast themselves, written and directed by Virginia de Ledesma.
REVIEWS:
“The whole production was excellent, especially singers, and in particular Andrew Heggie” “….high quality of the singing and general tightness of the production” “It was brilliant, more than we hoped for. A really enjoyable experience” “I have never discriminated against disability but my admiration for disabled performers has increased because of tonight” |
Fundraising concerts The ‘Tea With...’ series
EQUART have developed a series of fundraising concerts to raise the awareness of the talented singers with disabilities who, but for some assistive technology, would be able to take their place alongside our disabled athletes and artists in their chosen profession. Tea with Mozart Who killed Mozart? A new perspective on the rise and fall of this Olympian composer seen through the eyes of Constanze (nee weber), Mozart’s wife. ‘Tea with Mozart’ charts the ups and downs of their relationship; Constanze’s enduring humanity and fortitude and Mozart’s fragility. First performed at the Savoy theatre, Monmouth, in May 2014. ‘…….will keep you on the edge of your seats with Mozart’s story and enchant you with his music’ |
Tea with Jane Eyre
‘More please’ Who was the real Mr Rochester in Charlotte Bronte’s life? The scandal of her attachment to a married man fuelled three of her books, and broke through the gridlocked morals of the Victorian age in which she wrote. Starring Susanna McCleary (soprano/violin) who lives in Toronto, Tea with Jane Eyre was first performed in July 2014. Susanna McCleary Susanna studied at the Royal National College in Hereford and then in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, at Mohawk College and McMaster University, where she recently gained a B.Mus degree. Susanna is active in playing for English Country Dance and in recitals featuring music from Jane Austen’s family collection. |
Contact Equart at [email protected] mobile 07872 612856.