Birds of Paradise Theatre Company

Scotland's touring theatre company promoting disabled artists and supporting the arts sector

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Seven musical theatre actors face the camera holding hats away from their chests, in what's known as a Fosse pose. They're singing their hearts out.

 

Our Productions

Past Productions

A whimsical, stained-glass-style illustration for Laurence Clark's production **"CURED"** depicts three haloed figures against a vibrant mosaic of colorful glass. In the center, a man in a t-shirt and jeans leaps triumphantly into the air above an empty yellow wheelchair, flanked by a startled nun and a contemplative priest in traditional vestments. The artwork, set against an atmospheric stone wall, uses bold lines and religious iconography to playfully explore themes of disability, faith, and the "miraculous" with a sharp, comedic edge.
Production May - June 2026

For some, a holy pilgrimage to Lourdes is all prayers, candles and proper holy contemplation. For this mad bunch of disabled Scousers, it's bevvys, mucking about and getting off with each other… and definitely no bleeding miracle cures! Touring Liverpool, Coventry and Hull

Production February 2026

An all-encompassing eruption of a production taking a fearless look at relationships and disability. Come join Ben as he navigates his parents, his sometimes girlfriend and a secret or two.

The image shows an advertisement for "The Sunshine Spa," with a tagline of "Trauma, triggers and free mint tea." The ad is set against a graphic in tan, with orange, gold, and navy blue accents. The graphic is comprised of a stylized arrangement of abstract elements resembling flower petals and leaves, arranged in a symmetrical, vaguely mandala-like pattern. The spa's name is displayed in a circular frame that adds a focal point to the design. The color palette is warm, with the navy providing a grounding contrast, that evokes a sense of calm and warmth.
Production May 2025

Sharp humour, poignant moments of revelation, and thoughtful exploration of themes including disability, sexuality, cultural identity and human connection – offers a refreshing perspective on how meaningful relationships can bloom in the most unexpected places

A deep pinkly lit living room. A woman is striking a man across the head with a walking crutch as he falls, dramatically, to the ground
Production 2022 & 2024

Don't. Make. Tea. is a dark comedy by award-winning playwright Rob Drummond.

Photo from birds eye perspective. The black floor is scattered with white dusty lumps varying in size from very small to about the size of a tennis ball. A low side light catches the detritus on the floor, casting long shadows across the plane. It looks like the surface of the moon. A figure off to the right of the photo, is dressed in neutral white leggings and a light brown cardigan. They have rocked up onto their shoulders, their bum in the air and their knees framing their face, which stares neutrally up into space. Their left arm stretches out into the dappled floor.
Production 2023

Orbits is a film about how we feel and what we experience when we lose something we have been in orbit or relationship with.  How does this change affect our experience of ourselves?

Sam and Dave the alien are next to each other holding hands. Dave's legs are straight and spread apart, their free hand is held in front of their face doing the ok sign (three fingers up, thumb and forefinger touching) and she has her mouth open wide as if singing. Sams's free hand gripping the wheel of her wheelchair and her face looks very concerned. Standing behind them is Yvonne the BSL interpreter, doing the same sign as Dave.
Production 2023

The Super Special Disability Roadshow is on a global tour trying to find out why disability equality is still lightyears away.

Jack kneels on the ground, leaning with his elbows on a small wooden stool. Next to him, the Drath Tater sits atop an overhead projector, which is projecting an image of Bec as a toddler sitting in a highchair, with pigtails. Jack's chin rests in his right hand as he smiles confidently away from the camera.
Production August 2022

Trapped in the bathroom with an evil tattie, Jack wrestles with the reality of living alone. Jack Hunter’s inspiring* debut comedy is full of heart and a half empty bag of Weetos.

The woman is standing on the left behind the musical equipment that is covered in a blue sheet. She is smiling. On the right, the man in the wheelchair is holding a microphone with his mouth wide open and his head thrown back. In the middle of them, there is a screen on wheels with two people on it against a white background. One of these people appears to be holding a white toy pony.
Production 2021

Roadshow hosts Rob and Sal are testing out Rob’s new high tech version of their roadshow. Things are going pretty well, as Rob and Sal teach us what it’s like for disabled people in today’s world … until the younger generation decides to set them straight!

Robert, a white middle aged man, lies back in bed facing the camera. He has the white bed covers pulled up over his nipples and his hands back behind his head. He looks smoulderingly at the camera.
Production October 2020

Bedrooms are our private spaces that only certain people are allowed to see and fewer still are permitted to occupy. Come to Bed With Me is an invitation to share in moments that are new and real - to exchange with people who might not look or move as you do.

An illustration of an old wooden radio, with three speech bubbles rising from the speaker. In each speah bubble is an emoji: the aubergine; the curly poo with a shocked face; a love heart with sparkles.
Production October 2020

During the 2020 lockdown, we ran a development project in partnership with Theatre Gu Leor, called Something to Say | Rudeigin ri Ràdh, to amplify the voices of people seldom heard in radio drama

Four male performers clustered on a slightly smokey looking stage. Two of them are in wheelchairs, the other two are standing. Their ages appear to range from young to middle aged and they are dressed in various coloured shirts and jeans. They all appear to be reaching out to grab a man in a yellow T shirt who is standing in the middle of them all.
Production 2016 & 2019

Purposeless Movements is a visually stunning dance theatre piece that riffs on the stories of four guys with cerebral palsy, how it affects their lives, their gender, their masculinity and their movement.

A room with black walls and a black and white checkered floor, there are zebra print blinds over the windows and stretches of brightly coloured tape everywhere. On the left hand side of the wall the phrase 'The fucking end' is spelt out in tape. In the centre there is a blotchy pink sofa. Two young men, both in: sneakers, skinny jeans and t shirts, stand on either arm of the sofa. They are reaching out and grabbing onto each others arms.
Production June - July 2019

'_____ is where the heart is' is a tale of displacement and identity that weaves stories from local audiences into its narrative to create a play that resonates with each community it visits.