Lani Strange

A spirit of hopefulness characterises the third edition of Transpose at the Barbican, as trans voices come together to look to the future: https://bit.ly/2DPjmo4 Featuring artists from across the generations collaborating in performances of opera, poetry, dance and electronica, this show considers what gender, identity and individuality might look like tomorrow – in a celebratory atmosphere. Transpose is curated by CN Lester and directed by Kate O’Donnell, two of the trans community’s leading lights and multi-talented performers. In the words of CN, it’s a space in which ‘we can show you our vulnerabilities, our strengths, and – most of all – our authenticity.’ Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes, no interval Age guidance: 16+ (contains adult themes) These performances are all BSL-interpreted Fri 7 Dec Post-show talk

A frank and gutsy retelling of a classic in which three actors share the role of Juliet, each owning Shakespeare’s heroine for themselves while challenging universal ideas of beauty and sexuality: https://bit.ly/2zkNNi2 Weaving text from Romeo and Juliet with hard-hitting stories from women whose femininity and authenticity have been questioned by society, Redefining Juliet celebrates difference to prove that anyone can play the iconic part. Appearing regularly on British television, Storme Toolis has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Inspired by a desire to portray Juliet herself, she collaborates with other performers who have felt like outsiders to bring multiple dimensions to the famed romantic lead. Featuring key scenes from the play, interspersed with resonant details of the actors’ personal lives, this is an empowering production, both joyous and sad, shot through with wit. Duration: 1 hour Age guidance: 14+ Thu 29 Nov, 7.45pm BSL-interpreted and post-show talk Fri 30 Nov, 7:45pm BSL-interpreted and audio-described

Enter a world where sight and sound give way to tactile communication in this ‘cutting-edge piece of theatre that transports its audience beyond the theatre seat’ (Australian Stage): https://bit.ly/2OWhPSZ Created by Heather Lawson and Michelle Stevens, this immersive event shares the humour, grief, beauty and profound isolation of their lives as deafblind artists. After an introductory film, you’ll be provided with individual headphones and goggles, then guided into an unseen promenade installation. With light and sound distorted and restricted, it is touch that becomes integral to connection. Recipient of Melbourne’s Green Room Award for Innovation in Experiential Performance, director Jodee Mundy is fluent in Australian sign language because everyone in her family is deaf except for her. Collaborating with Lawson and Stevens – experts in tactile sign interpreting and social haptic communication – she has shaped Imagined Touch into a piece that alters our perceptions and reframes disability as an opportunity for untapped human potential. This promenade installation is designed to be accessible to all audiences, uses elements of social haptics, audio-description, British sign language and subtitles, with tactile sign guides on hand to assist. Visitors with access requirements are eligible for a free ticket for their companion. Each experience lasts 30 minutes/bags and shoes to be left in the cloakroom before the performance begins. Timed admissions available between 4pm–9.40pm (last admission) on Wed 7, Thu 8 & Fri 9 Nov and 12pm–5.40pm (last admission) on Sat 10 & Sun 11 Nov 2018. Age guidance 12+