How have the changes in Access to Work and the closure of the Independent Living Fund affected the creative output of disabled theatre companies; in particular Graeae Theatre Company, Birds of Paradise Theatre company and Lung Ha Theatre Company?

Abstract

Disability Theatre has a constructive and purposeful role to play within society as it enables disabled people to embrace their own shared identity; whilst allowing an avenue for disabled people to express themselves. Over the past forty years disability theatre has grown throughout United Kingdom. Companies such as Graeae Theatre, Birds of Paradise and Lung Ha Theatre have experienced much critical success. One problem that currently faces theatre companies across Britain has been the continual cuts to their creative funding. However this poses a further question? How has the creative output of disabled theatre companies been affected by the changes that have been made to Access to Work and the closure of the Independent Living Fund as many disabled practitioners were and currently are claimants of these schemes? This study shall attempt to answer this question by using the qualitative methological approach of a multiple case study. Through an investigation into how the changes to Access to Work and the closure of the Independent Living Fund, have affected the Graeae, Birds of Paradise and Lung Ha Theatre companies, it is assumed that this study shall offer a transparent , non bias viewpoint of how the creative output of disability theatre companies across the UK have been affected. The hypothesis of this study indicates that the government's welfare changes to Access to Work and ILF has had an overly negative affect on disabled practitioners and disabled theatre companies alike.