Disabled performers call for better backstage access

Darren Murphy and Andrea Hope attend Luminous Soul, a dance development programme for disabled people

More needs to be done to improve backstage accessibility for disabled performers according to the artistic director of a Belfast arts and disability organisation.

Luminous Soul, run by Open Arts NI, is a contemporary dance development programme for disabled dancers in Northern Ireland. The company have performed in front of huge crowds including the One Young World Opening Ceremony at the SSE arena in 2023.

Eileen Branagh said the arts sector, while "probably the most forward-thinking," does not have a full range of opportunities.

Ms Branagh said: "People have thought about disabled audience members but not about disabled performers."

She added that while there has been a positive change around representation in mainstream television programmes like Strictly, there needs to be more.

"We want to continue to hunt out opportunities for big performances. I want to get (the dancers) out, I want them to be seen.

"I feel incredibly proud, we just like to see the individuals develop."

Helen Hall takes existing dance techniques and tailors them for the dancers in Luminous Soul

Choreographer Helen Hall was part of Luminous Soul in its early conception and is visually impaired.

She explained the company works around contemporary dance techniques, looking at how the dancers move their bodies.

Ms Hall said: "We take existing approaches and work out how those are adapted for each person."

She said there are still barriers but "it's getting so much better and the arts is an amazing place for inclusion but like anything it can always be better".

She also bases choreography off how dancers respond to music in class.

"They are learning dance techniques, performance skills and to be part of a choreography, developing a whole range of dance skills they can take into further projects."

Angela Hope, a member of the group, said she likes to dance with people with a range of disabilities, especially working with dancers who use wheelchairs.

"I find it interesting thinking about how they move. I've been able to stand on their wheelchairs, I like being off the ground.

"It's about having the chance to be challenged, having a chance to challenge yourself, and having opportunities to perform. Luminous Soul is like a wee dance family."

Angela Hope found it difficult to find groups to dance with when she was growing up

Ms Hope enjoys dancing with other disabled people and believes there are more opportunities now compared to when she was growing up. She is blind and is a guide dog user.

Ms Hope said it was difficult to find groups where people were comfortable enough to work with her.

"I felt left out. Those groups were difficult to find when I was growing up so I didn't really do dancing [until college]."

After college Ms Hope went on to get a BTEC in Performing Arts and a Degree in Music.

"We have some opportunities now but there is always room for more. [Luminous Soul] is good for self-worth, confidence and self-esteem.

"It's nice to dance with other people apart from your own company."

"All my life I wanted to show how people with disabilities can do things"

Darren Murphy thinks there should be more shows including disabled dancers

Dancer Darren Murphy, joined Luminous Soul five years ago and said "it feels great" dancing with other disabled people.

Mr Murphy has a learning disability and because of this, he said people do not think he can dance.

"I just show them how well I can dance. All my life I wanted to show how people with disabilities can do things."

He works on several projects including Streetwise Community Circus which includes people of all abilities.

He said the dancing helps his balance for the circus.

Mr Murphy added: "Most shows don't have any people with disabilities dancing, maybe we should have a wee bit more."