We’ve settled into rehearsals for New Normal here in Nepal. As the culmination of this part of the UNWRAP project, this play will be the product of a series of workshops BOP have been running with both Scottish and Nepalese disabled artists and the stories they have shared during these. One theme that we discussed during these workshops was the idea of a new society where disabled people are in charge. Morna, our Development Officer, has drawn together these stories and ideas, into a play about a different planet in the future designed by disabled people. 

It’s been amazing to be together in the same room after working with a lot of these artists online for so long. Rehearsals so far have been primarily focused on the first two scenes and the translation. The actors have done a lot of work at developing their characters and understanding more about them. It’s been so exciting to start to see the play realised on stage. Everyone has done a lot of work to ensure the translation is accurate and that the intention of the lines translates well to Nepali. A lot of this is to do with status. There are three levels of formality in Nepali and the decision has been made in this play that no one should address another person as their senior. It will be notable to Nepalese audiences that everybody is talking to each other as equals. We have been working long days and naturally, as we move through the week, people are starting to feel it, but from the start, it has been such a supportive environment and it’s been amazing to see everyone looking out for each other. 

I spoke to the team to gauge how they feel the process has been going so far. Our two interpreters, Jaldeep and Sandip, both said they have loved getting to understand all the different elements of a production that they wouldn’t have learned just from reading a playtext. Yashoda, the Nepali sign language performer, is very passionate about enabling deaf people to engage with theatre and the arts but also loves performing herself. Being a part of this project, which combines her two passions, is amazing. Tulsi and Sumitra, two of our actors, both spoke to how this way of working has broadened their knowledge with regards to making productions, and rehearsal processes, more accessible. Tulsi said this way of working has unlocked a new vision for her and they both feel they can now be the power of change going forward into future work. For much of the team this is a new way of working and it’s been great to see how enthusiastic everyone is about creative access. The whole team is looking forward to the rest of the rehearsals and is excited to see the play come together.