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The Ruptured Duck
Theatre Project
About the project:
The Ruptured Duck Theatre Project is a collaboration between Alfie James Productions and Artist Sophie Weaver. The project aims to explore disability and accessibility within the arts industry. This four-month pilot study will see us create an exciting seven-part video podcast series where we will interview some of the leading Artists who are working in the arts and have either worked alongside disabled people or have a disability themselves. We will discuss some of the positive examples of accessibility and inclusion, how they have achieved this and the challenges faced. As well as the impact which Covid has had upon their work. We will then work with a group of artists to devise an audio play inspired by Sophie Weavers personal experiences using a range of different artforms to tell a story of a young disabled girls journey in becoming a performer.
Sophie Weaver
Sophie has been performing in the theatre, music, and stand-up comedy scene since an early age. Despite my struggles with Still's Disease which has left her dependent upon a full-time carer and the use of a wheelchair, she has remained an active artist. Sophie has performed regularly on stage with The Mercury Theatre Company in productions including “Grapes of Wrath”, ““Aftermath” by Nicola Werenowska and “Happy Families” by Alfie James. She was also a founding member of the Mercury Theatre's Dis:play group for performers with disabilities where Sophie helped shape the foundations of the project, modelling new access strategies. Recently, Sophie voiced the characters of Little Red Riding Hood and The Little Match Girl. She shares our artistic vision believing that theatre and performance is a place where there are no boundaries and a place which should be accessible to all including artists and audience members.
The Podcast Series
STARTING MONDAY 14TH JUNE
NEW EPISODE EVERY
MONDAY & THURSDAY
FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH:
Award Winning Director Jordan Hogg
Musical Sensation Mik Scarlet
The Baked Bean Theatre Company
Award-winning Film Director Jane Gull
Award-Winning Actor Mark Beer
Actor, Mentor Ross Grant
EPISODE ONE: JORDAN HOGG
EPISODE TWO: MIK SCARLET
In this, our second episode we are delighted to welcome award-winning TV Presenter, Broadcaster, Musician, broadcaster, journalist, actor, commentator and bon viveur. Mik Scarlet. Best known for playing in the band Freak UK, presenting Beat That, starring in Brookside, The Bill and 2:4 Children.
Credits:
Presented by Sophie Weaver
Produced & Directed by Alfie James
Edited by James Cartmell
Music by Ben Battle
EPISODE THREE: BAKED BEAN COMPANY
In this, our third episode we are delighted to welcome James, Irene and Wayne from The Baked Bean Company. The Baked Bean Company was set up 1997 with the express purpose of providing outstanding services for people with learning disabilities. Since its opening it has become a successful and popular addition to the community. Services include drama, Musical Theatre, Singing, Dance, DJing and Life Skills.
Credits:
Presented by Sophie Weaver
Produced & Directed by Alfie James
Edited by James Cartmell
Music by Ben Battle
EPISODE FOUR: JANE GULL
In this, our Fourth episode we are delighted to welcome Jane Gull. Jane’s debut feature film MY FERAL HEART, 2017, became the UK’s most successful ‘cinema-on-demand’ film of all time. It won best director and best film at the Lift-Off awards and gained recognition at film festivals worldwide. Its main actor Steven Brandon won best actor at the National Film Awards, beating Michael Fassbender, Daniel Radclife and Eddie Redmayne. In Mark Kermode’s 2016 Film Review, it was described as “richly rewarding” and “beautifully directed”.
Credits:
Presented by Sophie Weaver
Produced & Directed by Alfie James
Edited by James Cartmell
Music by Ben Battle
EPISODE FIVE: MARK BEER
EPISODE SIX: ROSS GRANT
In this, our first episode we are delighted to welcome BAFTA award winning Director Jordan Hogg to speak to us. Jordan has Cerebral Palsy and has directed Shameless (Channel 4), Casualty (BBC), Coronation Street and Emmerdale (ITV), Death in Paradise and Ackley Bridge to name just a few.
Credits:
Presented by Sophie Weaver
Produced & Directed by Alfie James
Edited by James Cartmell
Music by Ben Battle
In this, our Fifth episode we are delighted to welcome Mark Beer. Mark was originally from Birmingham and his acting career began at the age of 17 when he was awarded a Bronze Medal at the Cheltenham Literary Festival for the role of Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. He then trained at the City Literary Institute in London. In 2017 Mark was nominated by BBC Radio Drama for the Norman Beaton Fellowship Award. He’s been a professional actor for some 30 years now. He’s played many stage and screen roles.
Credits:
Presented by Sophie Weaver
Produced & Directed by Alfie James
Edited by James Cartmell
Music by Ben Battle
In this, our sixth and final episode we are delighted to welcome Ross Grant.
Ross Grant is a UK based actor from Urmston, Manchester. Ross has gained credits in multiple BAFTA-winning TV series, including the critically acclaimed 'Don't Take My Baby', where he played the role of Mike. Ross is also an established voiceover artist and an industry-leading high-performance mindset coach. He's the creator of the UK's largest professional and social network for actors - 'Act On This - The TV Actors' Network'.
Credits:
Presented by Sophie Weaver
Produced & Directed by Alfie James
Edited by James Cartmell
Music by Ben Battle
RUPTURED DUCK AUDIO PLAY
A PLAY BY ALFIE JAMES
All Fiona has ever dreamed of is to be on stage. When she is performing, she becomes alive. There’s just one problem…she has stills disease which has forced her to live her life in a wheelchair. Inspired by the experiences of artist Sophie Weaver and featuring a cast of both disabled and no-disabled performers about following your dreams and overcoming obstacles. Part of the Ruptured Duck Theatre Project which explored disability and accessibility in the arts.
Cast:
FIONA – Sophie Weaver
MR WINTERS – Mark Beer
MOTHER – Louise Illingworth
FATHER – Nick Field
DOCTOR – Ben Kinsman
TOM – Tom Housden
DAN – Ben Kinsman
ISABELLE – Louise Illingworth
YOUNG FIONA – Sophie Weaver
YOUNG DAN – Ben Kinsman
READER ONE – Nick Field
READER TWO – Alfie James
And Alfie James as MR SHARP
Written & Directed by Alfie James
Illustrations & Animations by Jacob Anderson
Supported by Arts Council, England and Alfie James Productions
Performances:
Ruptured Duck will premiere as part of the WATFORD FRINGE 2021. Tickets are FREE. To listen please click below