TYPE OF WORK
Theatre and drama for social change

TARGET GROUPS
Work by and for people with learning difficulties

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT
UK, North America, South America, Central and Eastern Europe

COMPANY POLICY
To support places where people with learning difficulties can use drama and theatre to explore and develop their ideas and help plan and take control of their futures.

To honour and develop the culture of people with learning difficulties and to research, explore and develop new ways of creating and using drama and theatre within that culture.

Primarily working in north-east England, the company works nationally and internationally and has strong links with Brazil through C.T.O. Rio, Opaxoro and Estrela.

SCALE OF PROJECTS
Number of practitioners: 2–15
Number of participants: 5–200
Preparation time: Varies
Contact time: 2 hours – 4 years

PERMANENT STAFF
Geraldine Ling, Director
Andrew Stafford, Outreach Worker/Lawnmower
Dawn Redhead, Training Co-ordinator
Rob Huggins, Liberdade Apprenticeship Co-ordinator
Belinda Croce, Krocodile Klub Co-ordinator

Opaxoro (UK/Brazil, 2000)
Lawnmowers hosted a worker and two dance performers with learning difficulties from Opaxoro, Brazil. A tour of workshops was organised for groups with learning disabilities.

Legislative Theatre and The Right Wrong Workshops (UK, 1998)
The workshops around the show were about ‘Who is running the country?’ The workshops used a mixture of role and forum theatre and encouraged participants to set up the kind of Government they would like.

Walk the Walk (UK, 2002/03)
The Lawnmowers travel back in time describing the legislative landmarks that led to the Government’s White Paper Valuing People.

The Elvis Experience (UK, 2003)
A two-hour performance that includes a high level of participation. Based on and inspired by research undertaken by two of the Lawnmowers in Memphis.

The Big Snapper
A huge nightclub to promote talent for 600 people with learning disabilities.

The Liberdade Apprenticeship Scheme
Three-year physical theatre apprenticeship scheme for young adults with learning difficulties who aim to form their own physical theatre company.

The Legislative Project
Feasibility study underway.

Gerladine Ling
The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company
Swinburne House
Swinburne Street
Gateshead NE8 1AX

T/F +44 (0)191 478 9200

E thelawnmowers@onetel.net.uk

“They have established a unique reputation for high quality productions which address issues of concern to people with learning disabilities.”
Francois Matarasso, Use or Ornament – the social impact of participation in the arts

“The Lawnmowers are raw, cutting, and full of enthusiasm and commitment. They, more than any other group I have ever seen, make me feel proud about being different.”
DAM Magazine

“Theatre is an important part of the development of disability culture…The work of the Lawnmowers is one such theatre group.”
Jenny Morris, Disabled Lives (BBC Education publication)

Return to top