Jerome Bel's Disabled Theatre in 5 Lists of 5 Points

Five Instructions Bel Gave to the Performers

1. Stand in front of the audience, alone, for a minute.
2. Introduce yourself and your job.
3. Introduce your disability.
4. Perform a solo dance to music of your choice.
5. Explain how you feel about the production.

Five Interesting Things the Performers Said on Stage

1. I want to make people laugh.
2. So what?
3. I am sorry.
4. I am an actor (all male cast members).
5. I am an actress (all female cast members).

Five Cool Moves during the Solo Dances

1. A Michael Jackson style pelvis thrust.
2. A wild, almost heavy metal style whipping of long hair.
3. Taking off a track suit top.
4. Spinning around a chair on one leg.
5. Making a scarf wave like the sea.

Five Questions Asked of The Audience (implicitly)

1. Do you realise that each of these people are talented on their own terms?
2. Do you realise that this is a patronising question in itself?
3. Are you treating the cast like performing seals or something?
4. Does this remind you of exploitative shows like X-Factor?
5. How does this challenge your idea of yourself as an audience member at a show called Disabled Theatre?

Five Reasons that Disabled Theatre was Astonishing

1. It refused simple ideas about the nature of 'disabled dance.'
2. It gave space for the cast to show off and interact with each other.
3. It revealed personalities on stage without sentimentality.
4. It asked tough questions about how theatre and authenticity work.
5. There was lots of loud music with strong beats.