AustLit

'An epic narrative of vast and imperfect comedic proportions, A Normal Child navigates the intricacies of disability representation in a daring, funny, and complex work.

'Examining the right to begin and end life from the perspective of the disability sector. The show tackles issues of euthanasia, sex, abortion and IVF through an absurdist comedy lens.

'Led by self-nominated “noddies” and “masters of the absurd”, co-Artistic Directors of Ridiculusmus, David Woods and Jonathan Haynes, and featuring the Disability Slapstick Plan, an ensemble of four Melbourne artists with different physical abilities.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'A triple-decker narrative of unconventional comedic proportions that navigates the intricacies of access and inclusion. The Disability Slapstick Plan is a daring, funny, and complex work featuring artists with perceived physical disability. Examining the right to begin and end life from a polyphony of perspectives — euthanasia, sex, abortion, IVF, suicidal terrorism, and extremism.

'Led by the Artistic Directors of Ridiculusmus, David Woods and Jonathan Haynes, and featuring an ensemble of four Melbourne artists with different physical abilities, The Disability Slapstick Plan began in response to the tokenistic ‘Disability Action Plans’ employed by companies required to stop disability discrimination.'

Source: National Playwrighting Festival program.

'Created by ex-parole officer and performance maker James Brennan and the acclaimed David Woods of the UK's Ridiculusmus. How and when should people be forgiven for their crimes? Who gets to decide? What happens if they get it wrong? The Chat brings ex- offenders, parole officers, criminologists and academics together with some of Australia's wildest performance makers to come to grips with these questions.' (Source: La Boite Theatre Company website)

'A Social Service / should help people, shouldn’t it?

'Featuring Nicola Gunn and David Woods, this smart performance sticks its nose into the gap between rich and poor, and smells something funny. Prepare yourself for an in-your-face look at systems that claim to help the needy, but only help themselves.

'In a send-up of greed, status and the machinations of power, Gunn and Woods take a satirical look at the state of the public housing system, and the developers and bureaucrats who control its future. Questioning who these safety nets are really there to benefit, A Social Service digs at a reality more concerned with replicating itself than improving the situation. When the people at the top have no understanding of ordinary worries, needs or wants, maybe their help is the kind / we’d be better off without.' (Production summary)