WORD! with Helen Seymour and Matt Gopsill

  • This PAST event happened on: Thu, Feb 2, 2023

  • Venue:Attenborough Arts Centre, Lancaster Road, LE1 7HA
  • Time:7:30pm
  • Cost:£4 / £7
  • Web Address:https://www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/attenborougharts/whatson
  • "There's a common misconception that you can't be Disabled and happy. That you can't express joy, and if you do, you must not be hurting or Disabled anymore. I propose a new hashtag to empower us and show people otherwise: #DisabledJoy.” - Andrew Farkash

    Join us for our last big WORD! of the year - headlined by the highly acclaimed Helen Seymour, supported by Matt Gopsill, co-hosted by Teagan Buckley and Tim Bombdog - and celebrating this year's International Day of People with Disabilities.

    The event will imagine a present and future that is accessible for all without exception - and that in words and delivery might express the experience of (Dis)abled authenticity and Disabled Joy. Every aspect of performance will be conceived of for access to expression, and to include multiple forms of language within diverse ability.

    Not all disabilities are visible and in recognition of that - and this year’s special IDPD focus -  we will bridge gaps of understanding by making experience visible.

    Disability at times encourages us to redefine spoken word, and engage with communication of signs. We have found that a wide definition of language sharing and creativity is not always engaged with. We look forward to exploring how spoken word might at times look beyond amplified sound communication, to increase access and enrich both art-form and conversation.
    Sign up to perform - work by people with experience of (dis)ability and/or work exploring themes around access and (dis)ability is particularly welcome. 

    If you would like to attend and have any access needs, please do not hesitate to get in touch via [email protected]


    About the Acts 

    Helen Seymour

    is a poet and storyteller who has toured two solo shows across the UK, premiering her latest at Southbank Centre as part of London Literature Festival (2019, in the before-times). Her debut collection The Underlook was published by the Poetry Business in January 2022. The Underlook is a surreal glimpse around hospital corridors and the glances between doctors. Moving and funny in equal measure, come and hear Helen describe a disappointing experience with a psychic, the case of a missing piglet and the decision to relocate into a well.

    Matt Gopsill
     
    I’m just a normal man with a wheelchair strapped to me. My background is computing but in my spare time I was writing poetry. A few years ago I went to an open mic night, I was nervous because I use a computer to talk for me and I’d never spoken a poem out, it went well and applause rang out! My writing has improved from then in quality and quantity, writing poetry about any topic being funny or serious. I wait for inspiration to come and I never know what poetry I’m going to write next which is exciting.

    Teagan Buckley (BA, MA)

    is a poet and artist from Leicester, England. She is influenced by studies in Film and her experience of disability as someone with cerebral palsy. A fan of cartoons, coffee and music, she is interested in the under-served complexities of intersections of gender and disability - Disability and LGBTQIA A activism.