A young woman using a wheelchair and a middle-aged woman sit beside each other. They are surrounded by wooden crates and plants, with a billowing tent canopy overhead. Atmospheric low lighting, illuminates their faces with a golden glow and casts shadows of the plant leaves around them.

When The World Turns

Oily Cart / Polyglot Theatre

Information

Times: 11am, 2pm


Tickets: Free – booking required


Running Time: 60 minutes (no interval)


Age Recommendation: 0 – 25 years


This event takes place in person in our Lower Hall

When we are still, we can feel the world turning…

Join us on an adventure, where your senses lead the way. You will become part of a fantastical world where animals, plants and objects are brought to life all around you. Here you can fully be yourself. Here, you are an important part of the eco-system.

This immersive, sensory performance will take you into the heart of a living landscape, featuring surround-sound, singing, lights, shadows, scents, water, puppetry and over 300 plants. When the World Turns playfully explores our connection with each other and the world around us.

When the World Turns is an award-winning, accessible show from the pioneers of Sensory Theatre, Oily Cart. You can expect small audience numbers to allow for lots of up-close sensory moments, a gentle pace, and plenty of breathing space for processing. The show has been expertly crafted for and with disabled children of all ages who experience complex and multiple barriers to access (often described as having PMLD.)

 

A gem of an experience’ ★★★★The Scotsman

If any politician requires confirmation of the power and value of theatre then Oily Cart’s When the World Turns does the job and does it with a genuine sense of wonder.’The Stage

Truly remarkable. Access is woven into the production at every turn. It is theatre which is intentionally slow and deeply thoughtful…you emerge filled with a comfortable joy and appreciation for simply’ being.‘ Impel Theatre Blog

 

Two male presenting figures who are performing outdoors. One is a wheelchair user and is leaning far forward and posing on all fours while the wheelchair is still strapped to their waist. The other is behind the wheelchair user and holding onto the wheelchair with one outstretched hand, while crouching down with one leg stretched behind them. There are a group of people of mixed age and gender in the background watching the performers.

BSL Translation

WATCH THE TRAILER

Biographies

Oily Cart

For over 40 years, Oily Cart has been creating remarkable, accessible shows that connect with babies, children and young people, and their families. In this time they have pioneered a new artform: Sensory Theatre. By pushing theatre beyond words – using not just 5, but all 33 senses – they create immersive wonderlands that never tell children how they should watch theatre, but learn from them what theatre should be. An Oily Cart show can happen in your local theatre, hydrotherapy pool or school hall; on a trampoline or online; at home or even up in the air.

Credits

When the World Turns was originally commissioned by Arts Centre Melbourne for major arts and disability festival Alter State 2022.

This UK tour has received support from Arts Council England, The National Lottery Community Fund, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, The Boshier-Hinton Foundation, Cockayne – Grants for the Arts: A donor advised fund held at The London Community Foundation, The Royal Victoria Hall Foundation, True Colours Trust, Wandsworth Council, funders that wish to remain anonymous and individual donors.

Access

PRE EVENT INFORMATION

This event takes place in person in our Lower Hall. This space is on the ground floor, with step-free access to the space.

If you have booked a ticket you will receive an email from us before your performance detailing important information about your visit.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Content

  • Soft flashing lights
  • Sudden noises
  • Use of strong scented oils and diffusers
  • Cast interaction with the audience
  • Water interaction (sprayed mist, water play)

This performance takes place in a small group.

Textile touch maps, audience booklets, ear defenders, fidget toys and weighted blankets will be available.

Pre-Show Information

All performances will be Relaxed. We invite you to make yourself comfortable and move around if you need to, and if you need to leave the performance at any point you will be allowed to return to the space when you feel ready.

VISIT OUR ACCESS PAGE

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