About the performance

In collaboration with Mind the Gap, Jez Colborne has composed something truly irresistible: a symphony of sirens. This musical experience combines alarm sirens, non-traditional instruments and voices to create a breathtaking choral work. Supported by provocative projections and atmospheric lighting, with fires, a ‘crew' and singing Sirens, this is spectacular promenade theatre that surrounds the audience and fills the senses.

Key Personnel

Jez Colborne - Co-director, composer, writer, performer
Tim Wheeler - Co-director
Si McGrath - Music Mentor
Will Simpson - Film maker & Projection
Ben Pugh - Creative Producer

Production Information

Running time at full length: 45 mins

Use of no text

Use of recorded and live music

Requires a clear understanding of English and BSL

Touring Information

Large or small scale show depending on venue

Number of people on tour: 7, Core company- Jez Colborne and Principals x 3, plus Director and Production Manager

Number of performers on stage: Variable - Core company: Jez Colborne and Principals x 3, plus local chorus development of:
Choir - up to 12
Crew - up to 12
Travelers - 5

Appropriate setting: Adaptable to a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, such as; Quarry, Courtyard, Mill, Cavern, City Square, Office Atrium, Shopping Mall, Car Park - or any other unique, dramatic or remote space that has a large floor area and is surrounded by projection surfaces.

Available to tour from summer 2012 (by negotiation)

Not suitable for rural touring

Outreach and Educational Work

Irresistible will feature local cast and crew. We work with programmers to source local groups of people with and without disabilities who we train in the roles of Choir, Crew and Travelers, and who perform the production alongside our core team of principals.

Company History

Mind the Gap is an established company with a 22 year history, including 17 national tours, and is respected nationally and internationally as a leader in producing professional theatre with actors with learning disabilities.

Jez Colborne has taken lead roles in 10 Mind the Gap touring productions. He is a versatile composer, keyboard and harmonica player, and performance artist. He has performed extensively in theatres, cabaret, festivals and piano bars across the UK and internationally.

Recent Productions / Tours

Boo - 2009 - Based on the character Boo Radley from To Kill a Mockingbird, performed 30 times at venues across the UK

Irresistible - 2010 - Jez Colborne's Symphony of Sirens, supported by Unlimited, performed at Lister Mills Courtyard, Bradford, and Cow and Calf Quarry, Ilkley Moor.

Of Mice and Men - 2011 - the third tour of this award-winning production and largest tour to date, performing 50 times at 24 venues across the UK.

Reviews

“Watch and marvel, that is if you can get a ticket” Kevin Berry, The Stage (Of Mice & Men 2011)

“A beautiful and evocative production and highly recommended viewing” Kate Cotton, Disability Arts Online (Of Mice & Men 2011)

"I thought it was pretty much faultless and it took my breath away...I felt I was seeing and was part of something truly remarkable... Please make sure that this happens again." Ralph Dartford, Arts Council England, Yorkshire (Irresistible Showing 2010)

"My hat off to Jez – and hat off to Mind the Gap: the talent and imagination oozing out of your work is truly inspirational." Wieke Eringa, Executive Director, Yorkshire Dance (Irresistible Showing 2010)

“Beautifully written and funny, thought provoking and heart wrenching” Audience member (Boo! 2009)