Space Chronic-ills (WIP) Phase 1

'Failure' to Launch...

I started my contemporary theatre degree in 2008 at Dartington College of Arts and was unable to complete it until 2016 because of illness and lack of support. By the time I emerged into the industry, I was 'too old' for the emerging artist opportunities, 'too sick' for standard (inaccessible) opportunities and I didn’t feel 'disabled enough' to apply for disabled artist opportunities.

For years I'd stumbled around trying to develop a piece of work exploring my own lived experience of 'invisible illness' through space science and science fiction.

Then in January 2023 I saw that Unlimited had announced a national micro-commissioning opportunity for disabled artists, in partnership with the Collaborative Touring Network in association with Touretteshero.

Touretteshero. Jess Thom. An organisation and person I'd admired from afar for years.

The application asked "What interests you about one or more of the themes of Touretteshero’s ‘Burnt Out in Biscuit Land’ [INVISIBILITY, ISOLATION, JOY and RESISTANCE]?"

I spoke of how "When I was a kid, before I understood and felt the limitations of my health and the limitations created by society, I wanted to be an astronaut. I still do want to be an astronaut, but I can’t be - in the traditional sense. What I can do, using my limitations as a creative tool, is take us all to space. Take us all on a journey in exploration of ableism and internalised ableism."

On the day I found out I'd been commissioned, I also received my first rejection letter from the DWP for PIP. 

Over the next few months I assembled a team, began creating and continued to fight with my internalised ableism and imposter syndrome. 

Launch...

Space Chronic-ills (WIP) in its Phase 1 was a 14-minute scratch performance, focusing on text, sound design, integrated audio description and movement. 

The central theme of the work is 'Am I a failure or am I being failed?'

After being knocked off course, a seemingly resolute commander and their overbearing virtual assistant work together to refocus their mission.

“Commander Ash Tronomy is a five-star, frakking fabulous, astro-inspirational, earthling…” Well, that’s how they want you to think of them.

Commander Ash Tronomy hides behind a facade of “everything is fine”, as many of us do. People who live with chronic illness, neurodiversity, mental health conditions and dynamic disabilities are often misunderstood by others - and sometimes by ourselves.

We continuously grapple with societal barriers - models of disability, identity politics, censorship of joy, fear of disclosure, internalised ableism, imposter syndrome, autonomy, illness narratives and the pressure to ‘get well’.

Sci-fi places humans under imaginary pressures using speculative fiction. Those with 'hidden' disabilities are often disbelieved or considered to be imagining things - “you don’t look sick” - so the Commander's interplanetary struggles are a way of making the invisible, visible. Sci-fi becomes sci-fact.

In July 2023 I shared the work across two nights at Wigan Pier, as a pre-show for Touretteshero's Burnt Out in Biscuit Land. I was also invited to do an ‘In Conversation at Wigan Pier: Ash Cox and The Old Courts on DIY Access and Autobiographical Theatre Making’.

In October I was invited to be a part of an 18-month Graeae Beyond: Artist Development Programme in collaboration with the Octagon Theatre, to further develop my practice.

I then shared Space Chronic-ills (WIP) at Warrington Scratch Night, at Pyramid in November.  I also talked about my creative journey at the Collective Encounters, Arts for Social Change Showcase.

Space Chronic-ills' (WIP) final outing was at Girl Gang's Itch That Scratch Night, at Contact in May 2024.

At performances, there were calm spaces, soft seating and relaxed presentation, as well as live captioning, BSL interpretation from Cheryl Walker at Wigan Pier and creative captioning at Contact.

Watch a sharing from Phase 1

Feedback from Phase 1

Meet the Phase 1 Space Chronic-ill’s Crew

Support Squad

Ben Crennell, Michael Cooper, Lesley Cox, Hunter Millington, Rose Sergent, Amy Whitby-Baker, Maximus Burton, Kate Fox, Quiplash: Amelia and Al Lander-Cavallo, New Adelphi Theatre: Mark Fox, Georgia Lynch, Charlotte Cropper, Red Brick Theatre: Oli Hurst, Tilly Philipson, Sarah Johnson, The Old Courts: Rosie Scudder and Lauren Banks, Collaborative Touring Network, Unlimited: Jo Verrent, Fi McGregor, Touretteshero: Jess Thom, Graeae: Laura Guthrie, Manishta Sunnia, Octagon Theatre: Tabitha-Rose Hughes, Jack Clearwater, Girl Gang: Caitlin Clough.

Thank you to everyone who offered constructive feedback during the process and sharing's.

Micro-commissioned by the Collaborative Touring Network, Unlimited and The Old Courts, in association with Touretteshero. A life-changing opportunity. 

Listen to the Soundtrack from Phase 1

Binsincere 

aka Space Chronic-ills (WIP) Phase 2

Am I a failure or am I being failed? It’s time to discard the façade.

A relaxed performance lecture, with captions and integrated audio description. 

Binsincere interrogated Space Chronic-ills (WIP) phase 1, as part of my ongoing research and development. It explores time, vulnerability and ableism.

I try to make work that’s accessible for the audience, for you, but I left myself behind

I don’t tell you this because I want your pity

I tell you this because there’s an irony and hypocrisy 

Have I Binsincere?

Or bin insincere?

Supported by Works Ahead: Radiator (2024) produced by hÅb; supported by Manchester Metropolitan University and using public funding by Arts Council England. Project Mentor: Peader Kirk.

Watch a sharing from Phase 2

Feedback from Phase 2

Watch this space for Phase 3...