"Sex and Disability: Breaking Down Taboos"
A provocative new play at the Tramway in Glasgow challenges societal norms around sex and disability, forcing audiences to confront uncomfortable questions about the experiences of people with disabilities.
"We're not trying to ignore that question or say it's a bad question," says Robert Softley Gale, artistic director of Birds of Paradise. "How do we get that conversation moving forward? If we try to pretend it's not a thing, that doesn't help anyone. It's about making people uncomfortable in a comfortably uncomfortable way."
The play, titled "(We indulge in) a bit of roll play", follows the life of Ben, a young disabled man navigating university, relationships, and sex amidst societal expectations. The production tackles themes such as consent, intimacy, and agency, presenting frank discussions around sex and disability.
Intimacy coordinator Vanessa Coffey has played a crucial role in shaping the production's sensitive approach to these topics. "We're not trying to shock or offend," she says. "We want audiences to leave feeling uncomfortable but also curious about the issues presented."
The play's creators hope that by challenging perceptions, they can make disabled lives more visible and spark conversations around sex, disability, and relationships. As Softley Gale notes, "A lot of the feedback we get from disabled audience members is, 'I've never seen my story told before' – and that's a really powerful thing."
By presenting a nuanced portrayal of Ben's life, complete with frank discussions about sex, the play shatters common stereotypes around people with disabilities. The production also tackles the lack of representation in media, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in theatre.
"(We indulge in) a bit of roll play" at Tramway, Glasgow from 19-21 February promises to be an uncomfortable but thought-provoking experience for audiences.
A provocative new play at the Tramway in Glasgow challenges societal norms around sex and disability, forcing audiences to confront uncomfortable questions about the experiences of people with disabilities.
"We're not trying to ignore that question or say it's a bad question," says Robert Softley Gale, artistic director of Birds of Paradise. "How do we get that conversation moving forward? If we try to pretend it's not a thing, that doesn't help anyone. It's about making people uncomfortable in a comfortably uncomfortable way."
The play, titled "(We indulge in) a bit of roll play", follows the life of Ben, a young disabled man navigating university, relationships, and sex amidst societal expectations. The production tackles themes such as consent, intimacy, and agency, presenting frank discussions around sex and disability.
Intimacy coordinator Vanessa Coffey has played a crucial role in shaping the production's sensitive approach to these topics. "We're not trying to shock or offend," she says. "We want audiences to leave feeling uncomfortable but also curious about the issues presented."
The play's creators hope that by challenging perceptions, they can make disabled lives more visible and spark conversations around sex, disability, and relationships. As Softley Gale notes, "A lot of the feedback we get from disabled audience members is, 'I've never seen my story told before' – and that's a really powerful thing."
By presenting a nuanced portrayal of Ben's life, complete with frank discussions about sex, the play shatters common stereotypes around people with disabilities. The production also tackles the lack of representation in media, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in theatre.
"(We indulge in) a bit of roll play" at Tramway, Glasgow from 19-21 February promises to be an uncomfortable but thought-provoking experience for audiences.
this new play is like totally groundbreaking... i mean ben's story is so raw & honest it's like they're speaking straight to ur soul 
. i love how the production team is tackling these super sensitive topics with such care & respect, no one's gonna be left feeling uncomfortable (for all the good reasons 
). but seriously what's really inspiring is that people w/ disabilities are finally getting their voices heard & not just marginalized in media... it's like we're finally breaking down those barriers of stigma & ignorance 
. can't wait 2 see this play, def gonna make me feel uncomfortable but also motivated to learn more! 
. This play has got the right vibe by tackling all these issues head-on and making sure they're not glossed over 
. It's also rad that they've got an intimacy coordinator on board, 'cause that shows they really care about getting it right 
. I'm defo going to check this out when it comes around 
!
I went to see this play and honestly it was a tough watch. I love that the creators are trying to tackle these difficult topics, but I feel like they could have handled some of it more sensitively. Like, there were some moments where Ben's story felt super heavy-handed and it was hard not to cringe. And don't even get me started on the intimacy coordinator - I'm all for them in theory, but sometimes their 'sensitive approach' feels like they're just being a buzzkill. Still, I gotta give props to the creators for at least trying to tackle some tough stuff, and the fact that disabled audience members are saying it's their first time seeing themselves represented on stage is super inspiring 
I think this new play is long overdue! It's about time we break down the taboos surrounding sex and disability. As someone who's grown up with friends who have disabilities, it's frustrating to see their experiences being swept under the rug.
And, idk about this "comfortably uncomfortable" vibe - isn't that just code for "we're gonna make you squirm"? 
Still, I guess its better than nothing, and if it gets people talking... 
Fingers crossed for this one!
... like, who doesn't want to have awkward conversations in a theatre? It's kinda refreshing that they're not trying to shy away from the whole "sex and disability" thing 
. The fact that it's tackling consent, intimacy, and agency is super important. I mean, we need more plays that make us feel uncomfortable 
... but in a good way? And I love how they're trying to break down those taboos around representation - disabled people deserve to see themselves on stage 
. It's not about making audiences squirm but rather sparking real discussions and challenging our perceptions of what it means to be human 
.
. By presenting a complex, multidimensional character like Ben, the creators are helping to shatter stereotypes and create space for more inclusive storytelling.
It's like, we need more conversations around sex and disability, you know? People with disabilities have just as many feelings and desires as anyone else, and it's crazy that society is still so silent on the topic. 
. I mean, who hasn't been made to feel uncomfortable by a tough conversation? It's all about shattering those stereotypes and making people think about what they don't know. As long as it's done respectfully, I'm all for it! The fact that the producers are being mindful of how to approach these sensitive topics is really important. And I love that disabled audience members have been saying their stories haven't been told before - that's some serious power right there 
On the other hand, I think it's awesome that they're trying to make disabled lives more visible and spark conversations around these issues. But, wait, isn't that just gonna lead to people talking about their sex lives at parties or something? 
Ugh, my brain hurts.
.
. we need more discussions around sex and disability, and this play is sparking those conversations like crazy