Since 1991, Glasgow-based Birds of Paradise Theatre Company has created a range of innovative and increasingly acclaimed theatre by and about disabled people. Towards the end of 2012, however, the company announced that it was going to be led by “a triumvirate of outstanding talents”: with Shona Rattray, who has worked with many of Scotland’s most notable independent theatre groups (including iconic 7:84 Theatre Company) as Creative Producer, and acclaimed actors and writers Garry Robson and Robert Softley Gale as joint Artistic Directors.
“I think the Board of Directors must have seen something in our individual talents that they felt complemented each other,” says Shona. “I come from a more traditional mainstream background; I trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and have worked in touring theatre in Scotland for more years than I care to mention. I have also been fortunate enough to do a lot of International touring and I understand the dynamics of it. I think the three of us have a mixture of both different and similar strengths which creates an interesting dynamic.”
Garry, who has appeared in – and written – previous Birds of Paradise productions, also has experience from being Artistic Director for several major international Festivals of Deaf and Disability Art. “I have a broad knowledge of Deaf and Disabled performers, companies and trends worldwide,” he says. “I have also worked extensively in mainstream theatre and also as a musician. As a team we provide an enviable package of passion, skills, experience, commitment and talent.”
Yet it takes time to create new theatre from scratch; the triumvirate’s first production only toured in March, with a possible further run outside Scotland later in the year. Highly praised by audiences and critics alike, Wendy Hoose is an incredibly funny – and, to be honest, somewhat rude! – take on modern relationships and how judging by appearances helps no one. Quite apart from entertaining audiences, however, Robert’s directorial debut for the company also carried the weight of people’s expectations about the new creative team’s intentions.
“Gary was not involved with this one directly, as he was busy with Graeae’s production of The Threepenny Opera, but we spoke for quite a while about how we have to make a big splash with this one,” says Robert. “We knew we had to put our cards on the table, to say that this is the sort of work we do. And we wanted to co-produce it with (Scottish touring company) Random Accomplice; they are great at creating work that’s funny and accessible.”
So what of the future? “I would like to continue to produce high quality theatre with a sublime mixture of talented actors, directors, writer, musicians and artists,” says Shona, “and to continue to co-produce (with other companies). I am also really keen to develop our youth work, to start working with the next generation of disabled actors and artists – so we always have a diverse theatre scene in Scotland.”
Garry agrees: “We’re kicking off soon with a nationwide search for new deaf and disabled artists and performers called ‘Looking for Talent’. It’s a great opportunity to reap the Scottish talent that is undoubtably out there and confirm Birds of Paradise’s footprint as a Scottish wide company.
“We are all keen to keep up Birds of Paradise’s expertise in developing new writing and creating high quality, entertaining and exciting show created by companies of creatives and performers from diverse backgrounds,” Garry insists. “Within this we will continue to experiment with and push at the boundaries of the aesthetics of access. The future looks incredibly exciting.”
First published by Access magazine (#15, May 2014).
