Gifted post:
Last night I saw The Dan Daw Show at The Meat Market – it’s a show in RISING.
It’s a dance work, putting a disabled body on show. We see Dan Daw celebrate his body and sexuality through sexy play, subvert power structures, show sexual and disability pride, and shake shame, in partnership with Chris Owen. It’s consensually inviting the audience’s gaze, when so often, disabled bodies are exploited for the public and medical gaze.
At the start of the show, Dan says “this is exactly how I want you to see me”; and at the end he says “I feel sexy, and I am not sorry”. These words, and seeing Dan so comfortable in his body is powerful. Disabled and non disabled people need to see this show.
Accessibility was also provided in many forms – many content warnings (including “sexy disabled people”) in written, verbal and symbol format, a visual story, some audio description in the dialogue, ear plugs and noise cancelling headphones, a range of seating options – wheelchair spaces, the seating bank, beanbags and floor cushions, captions as part of the set, permission given to leave the theatre or walk around the theatre if needed, and a few other things. So much care was taken to ensure the audience was comfortable, and to reassure us that Dan consented to everything that happened in the show.
It’s on from Friday 16 June – Sunday 18 June – go see it if you can.
I was given tickets to opening night of The Dan Daw show through my work in the arts.
The Dan Daw Show details are on the RISING website.
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