Billy Drinkwater, Kirk Bowett, Laurie Chattington. A fist is raised in protest.

This Is Not For You: Remembered

By Graeae Team, March, 1 2019

In Summer 2018, Graeae produced This Is Not For You, a large-scale and hugely ambitious new outdoor production by Mike Kenny with original music by Oliver Vibrans, co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW (the UK’s arts programme for the first-world war centenary) and Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.

This unique show, directed by Jenny Sealey, was the first of its kind in Graeae’s 40 year history, and paid tribute to men and women who had returned from war disabled over the last 100 years. It was performed by 24 disabled veterans from Blesma following an intensive training programme at National Centre for Circus Arts, alongside 4 professional performers, 3 opera singers and choirs made up of local community members.

Find out more about this unique production and it’s legacy in our short new video here, featuring exclusive interviews with the cast and creative team.

This is Not For You was performed in summer 2018 at Greenwich and Docklands International Festival and Stockton International Riverside Festival. The show featured creative use of BSL and audio description at all performance, with captions made available on smart phones and tablets thanks to a partnership with theatre company Talking Birds and their ground breaking app The Difference Engine.

Thanks to all project funders, including The Drive Project, National Centre for Circus Arts, The Gulbenkian Foundation, The Michael Liebrich Foundation and Arts Council England.

Writer Mike Kenny
Director Jenny Sealey
Designer Liz Ascroft
Original music Oliver Vibrans
Choreographer Freddie Opoku-Addaie
Aerial Choreographer Tina Carter
Sound Designer Helen Skiera

Film by Bim Ajadi
Above photo by Alison Baskerville

14-18 & blesma banner

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  • A man sits on a bench, whilst the blurry afterimages of other men flit behind him Productions

    This Is Not For You

    This Is Not For You is an epic outdoor performance paying moving tribute to Britain’s wounded war veterans, men and women whose contributions to history often go unnoticed. Co-commissioned by 14-18 NOW and Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, supported by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK Branch).