Diverse City
Weighting
© Photo by: Photo by Maisie Hill
A photograph from Diverse City's Weighting depicting a group of male and female performers in front of a church. All are wearing 1940s style clothing. A man and a woman are suspended from high, on a large round frame. Two women and a man are waving from a huge white metal ladder, and there is another man playing a guitar smiling. In the background, there is a band playing drums and a double bass.
Cast of 'Extraordinary Bodies'
© Photo by: Photo by Chris Frazer Smith
A photograph of the cast from Diverse City's 'Extraordinary Bodies' depicting eight male and female performers stood in a row, in front of a fence and with an expanse of sky behind them.
Diverse City works nationally and internationally making shows that profile the work of artists from diverse groups.
It received one of the 19 Unlimited Commissions and produced Breathe – a show that opened the Olympic sailing events on Weymouth beach to an audience of 11,000.
In collaboration with Cirque Bijou, it set up Extraordinary Bodies – the UK’s only integrated circus company. The company premiered it’s first show Weighting at Exeter Festival, September 2013 and will be touring the work nationally and internationally through 2014 and 2015.
Founded in 2005, Diverse City is a leader in integrated work both participatory and professional bringing disabled and non-disabled performers together. In August 2013, the company created Come Dance With Me a commission for the Big House Festival and the British Council in Ireland.
Diverse City has worked with a number of high profile organisations to develop their approach to diversity including The National Youth Theatre, London Youth, The Houses of Parliament, and Oxford Brooke’s University.
Contact details
Claire Hodgson
Chief Executive
Diverse City
3 Manwell Drive
Swanage
Dorset
BH19 2RB
United Kingdom
Online
Email: makingcontact@diversecity.org.uk
Website: http://www.diversecity.org.uk
Twitter: @diversecity1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiverseCity1
Extraordinary Bodies
Duration: 50 minutes, no interval
Description: A circus spectacle, with accompanying live band. Outdoor, large-scale, audience up to 5000. Adapted according to location and community. Bespoke engagement and participation work running alongside main show e.g. community choirs incorporated.
People on road: 14
Freight: necessary
Freight details: Central staircase required, as seen in promotional video.
Bespoke community projects designed around a show, working with community before circus arrives, and incorporating community into the show. Workshops, masterclasses, Q&As and residencies all provided.
‘Thank you so much for such a tremendous show – everyone here is full of praise and wonder, our Councillor said it was absolutely joyous.’
Val Wilson, Exeter City Council
‘Extraordinary Bodies is a really positive initiative, aiming to showcase the incredible skills of disabled and non-disabled people alike. We wish the project the best of luck and hope it helps to build on the positive perception of disabled people that was inspired by the London 2012 Paralympic Games.’
Paralympic Association
Latest Video
Extraordinary Bodies
Diverse City's latest show being performed in front of Exeter Cathedral, September 2013.
