Look Mum, No Hands!

Daryl and Co. and Mimbre Co-Production

Circus, Family, Theatre

In the centre of the images are 2 performers. Laura, a curvy brown skinned Filipino female wheelchair user with an above right knee amputation wearing a plum coloured dress. She is sat in a manual wheelchair. Danielle, a white woman with ginger hair in ponytails, is wearing an ochre jumpsuit. Together their bodies are entwined and stretch out. Danielle is upside down, with legs in a split, supported by Laura who leans to the left. Laura's left hand holds Danielle's ankle and her right arm is clasped around her waist. Danielle holds her own left ankle and has her left hand on Laura's knee. They look out at the viewer smiling. Behind them is a grey asphalt path going off into the distance. They’re framed by trees and shrubbery. A blue sky peaking out from between the leaves.

A combination of theatre, movement and acrobatics as a powerful narrative tool; two friends play, pushing the boundaries of what is possible, until together they find the perfect balance of each of their limits.

Look Mum, No Hands! is a tender story about friendship and growing up. It playfully explores the idea of independence vs interdependence, vulnerability and strength, using striking physical imagery that will linger in people’s minds.

The performance takes creative advantage of the fact that one of the characters uses a wheelchair to create new acrobatic shapes and choreographies that are original and unexpected. Using a combination of theatre, movement and acrobatics as a powerful narrative tool, the two friends play, pushing the boundaries of what is possible, until together they find the perfect balance of each of their limits.

About Daryl and Co. and Mimbre

Daryl and Co. is a Disabled-led company where collaboration and co-creation meet mischief and merriment, creating accessible theatre to delight young audiences. 

Mimbre is a female-led company creating nuanced, breathtaking and highly skilled acrobatic theatre. They use circus and dance innovatively as a physical language to illuminate human connections and promote a positive image of women.

Creation and Production Credits:

Co-Directors
Daryl Beeton and Lina Johansson

Composer
Gareth Cutter

Production Design
Jonathan Van Beek

Project Manager
Zsófi Szendrei

Concept devised with Maiya Leeke and Rosy Roberts  

Image Credits: Rachel Hardwick, Adrienne Photography, Stockton Borough Council, LE65 Photography, Andrew Allcock, Malachy Luckie

Funding, commissioning and partner credits:

Look Mum, No Hands! is supported by Without Walls and commissioned by FESTIVAL.ORG and Hat Fair.

With additional support from The Sparks Arts for Children and Blueprint: Without Walls R&D Investment Fund 2021