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A Normal Child by Disability Slapstick Plan and Ridiculusmus

A group of people in a Victorian-period lounge room cluster around a person sitting in a wheelchair. They are all dressed in Victoria-era costumes.

Presented by Darebin Arts Speakeasy

An epic narrative of vast and imperfect comedic proportions, A Normal Child navigates the intricacies of disability representation in a daring, funny, and complex work.

Examining the right to begin and end life from the perspective of the disability sector. The show tackles issues of euthanasia, sex, abortion and IVF through an absurdist comedy lens.

Led by self-nominated “noddies” and “masters of the absurd”, co-Artistic Directors of Ridiculusmus, David Woods and Jonathan Haynes, and featuring the Disability Slapstick Plan, an ensemble of four Melbourne artists with different physical abilities.

Reviews

'Disability Slapstick offers a fresh perspective on many of the social barriers people with disabilities frequently come to terms with and the progress to be made towards equality.' - Theatre People ★★★★

'A work that is relevant,thought provoking, and comical.' -Kerrie Batrouney

Creative Team

Co-Creators: David Woods, Jonathan Haynes, Jess Kapuscinski-Evans, Trevor Dunn, Eva Sifis, Betty Bobbitt
Performed by: David Woods, Jonathan Haynes, Jess Kapuscinski-Evans, Trevor Dunn, Eva Sifis and Betty Bobbitt
Directed by: David Woods and Jonathan Haynes (Ridiculusmus)
Dramaturg: Anton Rivette|
Assistant Director: Kerith Manderson-Galvin
Sound Design: Marco Cher-Gibard
Lighting Design: Richard Vabre
Set and Costume Design: Antoinette Barboutis
Producer: Erin Milne, Bureau of Works
Development collaborators: Kate Hood and Loki Rickus

Artist Bio

The Disability Slapstick Plan

The Disability Slapstick Plan is Jess Kapuscinski-Evans, Trevor Dunn, Eva Sifis and Betty Bobbitt. This project began as an exploration of access, and a response to the tokenistic ‘Disability Action Plans’ employed by companies required to stop disability discrimination. The Disability Slapstick Plan occupies pavements, rams wheelie bins and smiles at staircases in search of democracy in action.

Presented with additional support by Creative Victoria and the Australia Council for the Arts. Developed with the support of the City of Yarra, Malthouse Theatre, Playwriting Australia and Arts Access Victoria.

Creative Victoria logo Black and white text of the Australia Council of the Arts logo Ridiculusmus logo in black and white text The Bureau of Works log in white sketching