Told by an Idiot launches Get Happy 21 UK tour for children and young people with SEND
Hattie Fisk
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
The Get Happy 21 tour engages with children and young people with special needs and disabilities, and is inviting them and their families to join in with workshops run by local artists.
Told by an idiot is touring its internationally acclaimed show Get Happy, with additional workshops and audience participation in four communities across the UK.
The theatres and companies Told by an Idiot is collaborating with include Open Theatre in Birmingham; Hubbub Theatre in Derby; Theatre Royal Plymouth and Real Ideas Organisation in Plymouth; New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich.
Running until 29 August, the tour features workshops throughout the week, and Get Happy performances at the weekend. As Get Happy is aimed at children and young people with special educational needs and disability, and their families and local communities, Told by an Idiot is working with arts organisations, community support networks and local councils in each location to ensure the shows reach these groups, therefore you cannot book an individual ticket.
Having premiered in 2013 at the Barbican, where it was revived in 2015, the production has also toured Luxembourg and Beijing, and was shown to socially distanced audiences at Greenwich Docklands International Festival in August 2020.
Paul Hunter, artistic director of Told by an Idiot, co-director of Get Happy 21 said: ‘Told by an Idiot aim to find laughter in unlikely places and Get Happy has found that laughter in a multitude of audiences – from the Barbican to Beijing to a basketball court in Woolwich.
‘With no words spoken, and lots of visual, often absurd humour, it has proven to be really accessible. It has been exciting to find a new way to present the show whilst also forging deeper relationships with some inspiring partners and helping to provide opportunities for local artists, freelancers and emerging actors. We look forward to sharing the show in this way, and to continuing to learn along with our partners, participants, and communities.’
The tour is supported by Arts Council England. For more information visit Told by an Idiot’s website.
*’SEND’ is the acronym used by the England Department for Education to refer to children with special educational needs and disabilities.