Shows and productions
Our productions are based on our own ideas and experiences. DIY’s Core Company meets weekly and has been creating entertaining, accessible and thought-provoking theatre since 1994. We use lots of different art forms and try to make our work as accessible as possible.
Hanging by a thread
Let DIY Theatre Company take you on a magical journey into the forest We are going to follow the trees Into the woods, Into the woods Full of wonder, what will we see? Into the woods, into the woods Our multi-sensory performance Hanging by a Thread is our third show specifically designed for sensory audiences. Created by our […]
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Looking Back: Facing Forward
Our first ever outdoor arts production! Looking Back: Facing Forward was an original piece of promenade theatre. Incorporating live music, props, puppets, music and installations. Audiences were invited to join DIY actors on a journey and take time and space to Look Back on Salford’s History and Face Forward to all our Futures. It opened […]
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Enjoy Your Time Online – film
Enjoy Your Time Online is a film created by our Leadership Group to encourage people with learning disabilities and their supporters to overcome ‘digital monsters’ and explore the digital world. The film was made during the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, in collaboration with DIY Associate Artist Hilary Easter-Jones. It reflects the group’s experiences […]
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Exploring LEx Leadership – film
DIY Leaders are Leaders with Lived Experience. But what does that really mean? We made a film called ‘Exploring LEx Leadership’ In this film DIY Leaders with lived experience of learning disability explore what lived experience means to them and how their experiences of social issues help them to be good leaders. The film was […]
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Circus Tricks!
Welcome to the Circus Fun and Sparkly Bright Circus Tricks to Blow your mind What a Magic Sight! Come and join a series of colourful circus characters created by DIY’s Young Leaders Group. Meet the Ringmaster, Lexi the Juggler, Tom the Tiger, Jim the Joker and Bob the Strongman as they introduce you to […]
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I Wish Everything Was Back to Normal!
“I Wish Everything Was Back to Normal!” When Lockdown was announced in March 2020 DIY members started exploring different ways of telling our stories. Because live theatre was no longer available to us we had to find other ways to connect creatively with each-other as performers and with our audiences. We turned to a combination […]
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Following Patient 36
Following Patient 36 is DIY’s performance piece exploring Learning Disability History and the resilience of people with learning disabilities in Salford and Greater Manchester. Following Patient 36 in 2020 During the early part of 2020 DIY developed a positive relationship with the Working Class Movement Library in Salford, which was once itself a hostel for people […]
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MADHOUSE re:exit
DIY actors played Patient 36 built on the legacy of Mabel Cooper, a learning disabled activist and resident of a long-stay hospital who refused to be silent. This was an incredibly moving performance and taught us a lot about what it was like to live as a learning disabled person in earlier times.
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The House of Bernada Alba
DIY actors worked with Graeae Theatre Company at The Royal Exchange Theatre to create a strolling piece to accompany Graeae’s production of The House of Bernada Alba.
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Give Me Space!
Give Me Space! was DIY Theatre Company’s second interactive, multi-sensory show for PMLD audiences. It blasted off into space to explore the universe, touring extensively during 2018 and 2019.
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Following the Thread
DIY’s first show for audience members with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) took audiences on a multi-sensory watery journey, accompanied by Woolly, their magical guide.
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Don’t Call me Babe!
“Don’t Call Me Babe!” featured two sparkly travel agents Anthony and Samuel and a pair of very shiny shoes. The play was devised by company members, working with playwright Danny Start and centred on the relationship between two arguing lovers.
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Ellie’s Story
“Ellie’s Story” asked whether we can ever escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life and find a bit of peace and quiet? Would Ellie’s special remote control allow her to zap a bit of space for herself?
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Picking up the Threads
In 2013-14 DIY developed a project which looked back at the history of the theatre company. DIY members worked with local artist Claire Hignett to create a textile hanging which represents all the people involved in the company Each person is represented by a different thread and together they form a knitted timeline which maps […]
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