Let Me Play The Lion Too - Beijing 2019

In October 2019, following Let Me Play The Lion Too, an improvisation intensive for 6 D/deaf and/or disabled and 6 non-disabled performers at the Barbican Centre, London in March 2018, we worked in partnership with Performance Infinity and Beijing Inside-Out Theatre to take the project all the way to China. TBAI Director Stephen Harper and Assistant Director Robin Khor Yong Kuan, a 2018 Let Me Play The Lion Too performer, worked with a group of 7 D/deaf and/or disabled and 7 non-disabled performers over 5 days, with the project culminating in an open workshop for a public audience at Inside-Out Theatre.

Let Me Play The Lion Too Beijing employed the same uniquely Told by an Idiot techniques of joyful improvisation and devising, made accessible regardless of participants’ perceived capabilities, age or training. It allowed a group of D/deaf and/or disabled performers to work in professional collaboration with non-disabled performers and to showcase their work in front of a public audience, at an established cultural venue in Beijing. For Inside-Out Theatre, it was an opportunity to showcase the work of these performers and to start to build a working relationship with them as valued local theatre makers.

The project was generously supported by British Council China.

“We are so proud to work with the fantastic Told by an Idiot and Beijing Inside-Out Theatre on the project 'LET ME PLAY THE LION TOO' in China, with support from British Council China. It’s been a meaningful, fun and joyful journey to see that theatre can bring us together no matter what difficulties we have.” – Performance Infinity