A musical based on the Thalidomide controversy will open this year’s deaf and disability arts festival in Liverpool.
The show takes an uncompromising – and humorous – look at the drug, charting its use from the 1950s to the present day. Written and composed by Mat Fraser, and staring Kate Winslet’s sister, Anna, it arrives in Liverpool mid-way through a nationwide tour.
It’s just one of the events taking place as part of DaDaFest, which is co-ordinated by North West Disability Arts Forum (NWDAF), and funded by the Liverpool Culture Company, Arts Council England and the Granada Foundation.
The ground-breaking festival celebrates in fifth anniversary this year, with a varied programme that aims to bring deaf and disability art to the forefront of the region’s cultural scene.
DaDaFest 5 features a huge range of events and activities, ranging from a deaf culture celebration which offers discounted admission to non-sign language users, to a family fun day at Sefton Park Palm House. NWDAF will also be holding a series of workshops at their office on Bridport Street, allowing participants to sample activities including digital photography and creative writing.
The festival runs from November 24 to December 3 2005 at venues across Merseyside. Full listings follow below. For more information, visit the North West Disability Arts Forum’s website: www.nwdaf.co.uk.
