Do you see me? Celebrating Learning Disability Week 2025

Our Performing Arts Group for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities is an exciting opportunity for people to explore their creativity and work towards a performance or exhibition. The group takes place weekly on Wednesdays at Wallsend Library Group 1: 10.15am - 12noon Group 2: 12.45pm - 2.30pm Cost: Free - This is a fully funded programme but spaces are limited. Venue: Wallsend Library, 16, The Forum, NE28 8JR (fully accessible venue, with changing place) To find out more about joining the group, please contact Sue: Email: sue@thetwistingducks.co.uk / Phone: 07889 597754

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company presents: Hi, I'm Charlie A new play by Theatre Royal (Saturday) Performing Arts Academy Saturday 7th June 2025, 2.45pm and 7.45pm Studio Theatre, Newcastle Theatre Royal Book tickets here The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company presents Hi, I'm Charlie, a bold new play taking place at the Studio Theatre in Newcastle Theatre Royal on Sat 7 June 2025 . Charlie faces barriers — at work, at home, in everyday life. We all face barriers though, don’t we? And actually, who really is Charlie? Written and performed by artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists from The Twisting Ducks Theatre Royal Academy, Hi, I’m Charlie explores themes of identity, perception, and what it means to feel seen. The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company provides accessible arts opportunities for people with learning disabilities and autistic people across Tyne and Wear and Northumberland. The charity supports over 800 people a year to express themselves creatively, to develop their skills and social connections, and to achieve their aspirations as performers, musicians and DJ's. By using issue–based art forms they educate and inform, and help people speak up about social issues, to provoke thought, and to stimulate change. Hi, I’m Charlie has been a year in the making by 11 participants from the Saturday Theatre Royal Academy. A separate academy takes place on Wednesdays which creates and performs a new play each year, their most recent was What Am I Like? In November 2024. Cat Catizone, Drama Facilitator at The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company said: “We’re delighted to be back at Newcastle Theatre Royal with a bold new play. Hi, I’m Charlie asks big questions — about identity, barriers, and how we’re seen by the world. It’s thought-provoking, full of heart, and features a number of brilliant new performers making their debut with us.” The Twisting Ducks’ partnership with Newcastle Theatre Royal contributes to the theatre’s overall strategy, aiming to enhance its outreach work by building pathways to creativity for all, and providing an open, safe and inclusive place in the iconic Grey Street building. Hi, I’m Charlie will be presented at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Sat 7 June 2025 at 2.45pm and 7.45pm. Tickets are £12 (carers free) and are available from: www.theatreroyal.co.uk or by telephone to Theatre Royal Box Office: 0191 232 7010

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company presents: Let There Bee Magic... and Scones! A new play by Morpeth Performing Arts Academy Friday 9th May 2025, 1pm and 7pm Morpeth Methodist Church Book tickets here  The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company presents Let There Bee Magic… and Scones! , an imaginative new play created and performed by artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists, taking place at Morpeth Methodist Church on Friday 9th May 2025 at 1pm and 7pm. Set in a magical version of Morpeth, the play follows a day in the life of the town’s most curious characters – featuring a bee farm, a nail salon bakery, and a volleyball café. But all is not as it seems… as magic stirs and cheese scone monsters emerge! Written and performed by members of The Twisting Ducks' Morpeth Performing Arts Academy, Let There Bee Magic… and Scones! is a joyful exploration of home, belonging, and community connection. With a vibrant mix of comedy, drag, music, and dance, the show builds to a dazzling cabaret finale that brings Morpeth’s fantastical world to life. The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company works with people with learning disabilities and autistic people to tackle inequalities and drive social change through performing arts. Working across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, The Twisting Ducks supports over 800 people a year to share their stories, develop their artistic talents, and ensure their voices are heard. Sonia Hudson, Morpeth Performing Arts Academy Facilitator at The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company said: “This show is full of laughter, creativity and magic. It’s been such a joy to see the cast bring their ideas to life and celebrate the unique world they’ve imagined together.” When asked about Let There Bee Magic... and Scones!, the cast said: "The show is a lot of fun to make, we had a great time creating the characters." - Sam Hutchinson "Making new friends along the way and I enjoy being in the group" - Rachel Lynch Performance info Friday 9th May 2025, 1pm & 7pm Morpeth Methodist Church Howard Terrace Morpeth NE61 1HU Tickets £5 (carers go free) Click here to book tickets online or telephone 07925 167775

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company presents Dregs Opera, a bold new musical inspired by the true story of Alonzo Johnson—a historic local queer figure convicted and deported to Tasmania because of his sexuality. This powerful production takes the stage at Arts Centre Washington on Friday 4th April 2025.

Tick Tock Whenever , a new thought-provoking production by the Spectrum Theatre Group at The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company debuts at Northern Stage on Thursday 27th March 2025 . This exciting steampunk odyssey follows a group of extraordinary adventurers as they journey through fractured timelines and alternate realities. Written and performed by artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists, Tick Tock Whenever delves into the unknown, uncovering heartfelt moments that explore vulnerability, resilience, and triumph over adversity. The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company works with people with learning disabilities and autistic people to tackle inequalities and drive social change through performing arts. Working across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, the Twisting Ducks supports over 800 people a year to share their stories, develop their artistic talents, and ensure their voices are heard. The Twisting Ducks Spectrum Theatre group is funded by Newcastle Culture Investment Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, and supported by Northern Stage. Kieran Harland, actor and member of The Twisting Ducks Spectrum Theatre group, said: “We’re really excited to present Tick Tock Whenever at Northern Stage. It’s a powerful play with an important message about living authentically in the now, rather than the past or the future.” Jan Willem van den Bosch, Lead facilitator and project manager at The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company said: “ Tick Tock Whenever is a zany exploration of the lives of autistic people and people with a learning disabilities, and also shines a light on stories that are often underrepresented in mainstream theatre. We’re excited for audiences to experience this unique journey and engage in conversations that challenge perceptions and inspire change.” Performance Details Thursday 27th March 2025, Northern Stage 4pm and 7pm Northern Stage, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RH Tickets: £10 (carers free) Book tickets > https://bit.ly/tick-tock-whenever or telephone: 0191 230 5151 School and Group bookings A special performance for schools and groups will take place at 1pm on Thursday 27th March 2025 To arrange tickets, please contact us via email: info@thetwistingducks.co.uk or telephone 07925 167775

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company is delighted to announce two new thought-provoking productions, Tick Tock Whenever and Dregs Opera , set to take the stage this spring. Written and performed by artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists, these original works promise to take audiences on compelling journeys through time and history to challenge perceptions and amplify underrepresented voices. Tick Tock Whenever Journey into the unknown Step into a steampunk odyssey of time travel and self-discovery by Spectrum Theatre Group. Tick Tock Whenever follows a group of extraordinary adventurers as they journey through fractured timelines and alternate realities. This powerful new play ventures into the unknown to uncover heartfelt moments that explore vulnerability, resilience, and triumph over adversity. Performance Details Thursday 27th March 2025, Northern Stage 1pm (schools and groups), 4pm and 7pm Northern Stage, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RH Tickets: £10 (carers free) Book tickets > https://bit.ly/tick-tock-whenever or telephone: 0191 230 5151 Spectrum Theatre group is funded by Newcastle Culture Investment Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, and supported by Northern Stage. Dregs Opera Sunderland Platform Theatre Group returns with an ambitious musical based on the true story of historic, local queer figure, Alonzo Johnson, who was deported to Australia and condemned to death because of his sexuality. Presented as an adaptation of Gay’s Beggar’s Opera and Brecht’s Threepenny Opera , the performance challenges audiences to consider marginalised voices and the horrors of discrimination, past and present. Performance Details Friday 4th April 2025, Arts Centre Washington 2pm and 7pm Arts Centre Washington, Biddick Ln, Washington NE38 8AB Tickets: £5 (carers go free) Book tickets > https://bit.ly/dregsopera or telephone: 0191 561 3455 Sunderland Platform Theatre group is funded by The Grocers' Charity, Hadrian Trust, Joicey Trust and Washington Heritage Partnership, and supported by Sunderland Culture. Jan Willem van den Bosch, Lead facilitator and project manager at The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company said: “ Tick Tock Whenever and Dregs Opera are powerful stories that showcase the immense talent of our artists, while also addressing important social issues with heart and authenticity. We’re excited to share these performances with audiences and spark meaningful conversations.”

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company is delighted to announce it has been awarded £30,000 from The Fore, a venture philanthropy fund in the UK supporting small charities to transform lives and society. This significant award will allow The Twisting Ducks to grow its commissioned work and expand its Accessible Health Resource , a vital service providing accessible health information for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, and innovative awareness-raising resources for health and social care professionals. In addition, the grant will support The Twisting Ducks in its mission to create employment opportunities for artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists, providing a platform for their creative talents while fostering inclusion and representation in the arts. The Twisting Ducks Accessible Health Resource service works with partners and commissioners to develop bespoke, targeted resources that communicate information in accessible and creative ways, including clear English or EasyRead, interactive surveys, film-making, performance, creative consultation workshops and learning disability and autism-led training sessions. Jay Hare, CEO of The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company, said: "This grant will have a transformational impact on The Twisting Ducks. It allows us to expand our commissioned work while providing opportunities for our artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists to take the lead in creating and delivering accessible resources. We are incredibly grateful to The Fore for their support." To find out more about The Twisting Ducks Accessible Health Resource service, visit: www.thetwistingducks.co.uk/accessiblehealthresource 

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company is delighted to announce it has been awarded £22,000 from the Postcode Neighbourhood Trust, raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. This vital funding will support people with learning disabilities and autistic people to develop original performance work in North Tyneside and enable outreach workshops to the wider learning disability community in North Tyneside. Jay Hare, CEO of The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company, said: "We are incredibly grateful to the Postcode Neighbourhood Trust and players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their support. This funding allows us to expand our reach and deepen our impact in North Tyneside." Lisa Kelly, Trustee and member of the Twisting Ducks, said: " I can't believe it! We are so overjoyed and it gives us a huge opportunity to work with more people in North Tyneside and to give them the same opportunities as we have had . " The Twisting Ducks runs performing arts academies and groups for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in venues across the North East region, including at Theatre Royal (Newcastle); Northern Stage (Newcastle); The Customs House (South Shields); Arts Centre Washington (Sunderland), Morpeth Methodist Church (Northumberland) and The Wallsend Memorial Centre (North Tyneside). Recent works include a new play, ‘What am I Like?!’ , presented at St James’s United Reformed Church in Newcastle upon Tyne (November 2024) and YouTube Killer, a new original music video by The Twisting Ducks band, The Twist. Click here to find out more about how to get involved

This year, we're looking back through our archive to share some of our festive songs and music videos. Watch original music videos written and performed by artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists, including Christmas Labels and Christmas Dreams.