How we live and how we die has never been more topical or relevant to our ageing society that likes to pretend we’re immortal and forever young. It’s universal, as well as our last taboo – a fascinating and compelling subject.
This is why I’m delighted that I’ve been commissioned to write ‘Cosy’, a play that explores our obsessions with ageing, self-ownership, and end of life scenarios in the company of a dysfunctional family on the verge of killing one another, if not themselves.
‘Cosy’ is a commission from Unlimited, which describes itself as ‘a scheme for arts by disabled artists, managed by Artsadmin and Shape, funded by Arts Council England, Arts Council Wales, Creative Scotland and Spirit of 2012 to create high quality, extraordinary art by disabled artists and get that work seen by diverse audiences.’
I feel immensely honoured to receive this commission, especially as it is the sole Unlimited Commission for Wales. It will enable me to further develop the work-in-progress script then bring it to production, directed by Phillip Zarrilli and produced by Michael Salmon. ‘Cosy’ will premiere in Wales in 2016 before going on tour and appearing at Unlimited festivals at the South Bank in London and Glasgow’s Tramway in September 2016.
It means a lot to have this opportunity, and it’s a real privilege to be amongst the gallery of outstanding Deaf and disabled commissioned artists in this round. To find out more about the other work commissioned, please go to: http://weareunlimited.org.uk/commissions/
I was awarded an Unlimited Commission in 2012 for ‘In Water I’m Weightless’, which was directed by John McGrath for National Theatre Wales and premiered at the Wales Millennium Centre, then transferred to the South Bank Centre as part of the Cultural Olympiad – the official festival celebrating the 2012 London Paralympics and Olympics.
Then, I was working with six of the UK’s most celebrated Deaf and disabled performers on my performance text of interlocking monologues, with choreography by the late great Nigel Charnock. This time round, I’ll be working with an inclusive company of six disabled and non-disabled female performers on a darkly humorous character-led play, exploring the means by which we shuffle off this mortal coil.
Photographer Cynthia Traun.
I want to handle this often feared topic with humorous irreverence, as well as sobriety and respect. What I love about humans is our ability to live joyfully and in the moment, despite the knowledge our time is finite and we will all die one day. How these two opposing perspectives co-exist will be fascinating to explore theatrically – and the deceptions, avoidances, contradictions and confrontations within a family with distinct and different ethical, religious, and political perspectives.
As someone who identifies as disabled, I have long been part of a vibrant community known for its joie de vivre and gallows humour – created, perhaps, from our knowledge of the fragility and resilience of the human body. I want to bring some of the quality of this insight and perspective to the script, in a production I hope will be funny, quirky, honest, daring, and fully engaging emotionally and intellectually.
I asked independent producer Michael Salmon to share his thoughts on our commission, and his response follows. We have worked together previously on two productions with National Theatre Wales, but in different roles, so it will be exciting to work together in this relationship for this project.
Producer Michael Salmon says, “Tearing down barriers, and uniting, Cosy is one of those rare plays that speaks inclusively to us all. Unlimited is a unique partnership celebrating d/Deaf and disabled artists, bringing unique perspectives to a mainstream audience. In exploring what affects each and everyone of us, Cosy delves into our deepest fears through wit, humour and intelligence. Building on the lessons and experiences of making In Water I’m Weightless (National Theatre Wales, Unlimited, Southbank), I’m looking forward to celebrating the work of d/Deaf and disabled artists, uniting us all through laughter and warmth. I know and share the passion that Kaite has for great storytelling, focusing on real-life issues, often through poetic writing, cobbled with generous pinches of wit, humour and humanity. I’m thrilled to be sharing this journey with Kaite along with the wealth of talent Unlimited have brought together, and I look forward to sharing Cosy in 2016.”
Cosy A NEW PLAY BY Kaite O’Reilly
AN UNLIMITED COMMISSION
The beautiful photograph of the window reproduced in this article is by photographer Cynthia Traun. I’m really grateful she has allowed us to use her image as inspiration for the play.