Richard and Abby Young founded Tall Tails Theatre Company in February 2019 in order to make theatre accessible for people in Somerset, the south-west, and for national festivals. They believe that everyone should be able to enjoy theatre and make their shows with that in mind. Tall Tails shows a supportive environment for audiences and artists where individual and collective creativity, imagination and participation are encouraged.
Upon receiving funding from the Arts Council England Tall Tails Theatre started working with their tutor Sonia Sansom to embed Makaton in their shows. Alongside this training and support they benefited from learning about the needs of Makaton users and how it beautifully supports storytelling for all.
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Tall Tails achieved funding to make a Christmas film in 2020, “What a Superhero Wants For Christmas”. In addition to the temporary shutting of cultural venues and cancellation of many holiday events, the pandemic fast-tracked the nation into a digital world. This spelt an opportunity for Tall Tails Theatre to increase access to the arts by taking proper time and care to embed accessibility. As such, Tall Tails incorporated a wide range of access provision into What a Superhero Wants for Christmas in order to ensure the film could reach all families. It’s captioned, audio describe and Makaton is used by the characters, with disability-friendly, inclusive production, themes and language throughout.
Having brought "The Tale of the Charming Rat" to over 1000 people in 2021, Tall Tails Theatre Company are very excited to be touring “The Adventures of Madame Carol Sell and Mr Popsy” in 2022. Performing at events and venues such as, Just So Festival, The Cockpit, Stanley Arts Centre, Wilderness Festival, The Black Cherry and The Art Bank.
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Or visit www.talltailstheatre.com to find out when they are performing near you!
Do you work in an organisation or have visited somewhere that you feel is Makaton Friendly? We have more information for organisations about Becoming a Makaton Friendly Partner. Alternatively, please contact us at [email protected] if you would like some more guidance on how to help an organisation to become Makaton Friendly.