Image Description - Five actors on stage with colourful lights. All are wearing white zip up tops, jeans and trainers. Four of them are carrying placards which say, 'dignity, choices. equality and rights'. They are confident, happy and full of energy. Image Credit Max Wreford-Sinnott

“If ever there is a show that so positively, and in such a visual and beautiful way, challenges negative perceptions about learning disabled people, then this is it. In the Middle of Our Street is a fantastic story, told with passion, skill, humour and Full Circle’s unique aesthetic, but most importantly, it is their story.”

Annabel Turpin, CEO and Artistic Director ARC Stockton

Learning Disability Theatre Practice and Little Cog
 
We value the practices and voices of all disabled theatre practitioners equally and our Artistic Director, Vici Wreford-Sinnott, has made it a career long commitment to collaborate with and support learning disabled artists, audiences and participants. Often the most easily silenced voices in society, it is vital that we put learning disabled people and learning disability culture centre-stage. Especially when it is as fantastic as the work Full Circle makes.

Three image descriptions. 1. Five actors all positioned around a large armchair, one of whom is a wheelchair user. Four actors are wearing stylised grey skeleton masks. The character central to the chair is The White Lady wearing a white floral headdress and a long flowing white skirt. It is from a show called Los Muertos. 2. A large group of actors on stage under a canopy of 7 umbrellas, dressed in utilitarian clothing, surrounded by old fashioned suitcases from the show Out of The Shadows. 3. Ten actors, all in rehearsal clothes, standing as a group staring off into the middle distance, inviting people to look at them. This photograph is from rehearsals for the show, In The Middle Of Our Street.

"The company combine physical & visual techniques to devise & construct a compelling & thoughtful narrative, a unique & vibrant style”

Dean Chaffer, Disability Arts Online

About Full Circle Theatre Company
 
Full Circle is an award winning independent theatre company of learning disabled theatre makers making critically acclaimed work.
 
Full Circle started in 2008 as part of Stockton Council’s Adult Services department. They were described as a ‘community hub’ as services expanded to enable people more choices in how they spent their time. The group was supported by two day service staff with no drama experience at the time but lots of enthusiasm. In 2010, the group  moved into Room 6 at ARC Stockton and the Arts Centre became their creative home. Funding was raised, through ARC, to work with a drama facilitator and the group performed their first show, Changes, in the studio space at ARC.
 
In 2012, Full Circle were approached by Vici Wreford-Sinnott, who offered the group some free drama sessions as part of a project she was running called Love and Hate in the Tees Valley, and they just clicked artistically. Since then the company has become independent of Day Services and together with Vici and ARC, have created five original professional shows, detailed below, supported with funding from Arts Council England and Spirit of 2012 Trust.
 
In addition to the creation of new work by learning disabled people, and bringing in new audiences, including large numbers of learning disabled people to see work with relevance to them, the company also deliver outreach workshops to learning disabled peers. This both ensures that what they are doing is current and engaging but also increases opportunities for learning disabled people to build their confidence, increase communication and social skills and to be part of something bigger than themselves which is life-enhancing and enriching, knowing that they have a place and are valued.

Image Description - one female learning disabled actor in drab grey uniform is in the foreground of the photograph, with seven other actors are behind her in a line in identical costumes. A giant image of the foregounded actor is projected on to a huge screen at the back of the stage.  It is taken form the stage show called The Keepers.

"Brilliant visuals from this company of learning disabled actors - so inventive"

“I thought the lady with the petals was outstanding. Very powerful performance”

“Strong message, performed with passion”

ARC STOCKTON, Audience Members

Winning Awards, Touring and Training

In 2018, in their first year as an independent theatre company, Full Circle were delighted to be nominated for a Catalyst Community Arts and Culture Award. There was much celebration and trepidation as we went to the ceremony, everyone with fingers crossed and excited to be with 300 other amazing people from our region. A mighty cheer went up when Full Circle were announced as the winners. It was a tremendous boost for the company and a wonderful recognition of their important voice, and of their contribution to Art and Culture in our area. Winning the award meant so much to the company members that they incorporated into the show they were making at the time.

A big dream of the company once they were independent was to tour. And then it was like once they had wished for it, a number of things fell into place to help it to happen. Full Circle were invited to perform at the Come On Down Festival in Blyth Northumberland by Headway Arts. It is an annual regional learning disability theatre and arts festival. The group met many other actors and artists and showcased a version of In The Middle Of Our Street.  Not long afterwards they were invited to perform at the Catalyst Award Ceremony the year after they had won it and received a three hundred strong standing ovation.

Full Circle both offer training to an academy of learning disabled actors and a unique bespoke Learning Disability Equality Training to the Cultural sector. Do get in touch if you would like more information.

The company have also spent a year developing relationships with Arts Centre Washington and the Centre for Excellence in the Creative Arts (CECA) in Hartlepool. At the time of writing, they have recently successfully performed in both venues to presenting their reworked version of In The Middle of Our Street, learning many things along the way.

Image description - the silhouettes of ten learning disabled performers with one arm in the air, gently swaying,  are in a deep blue light, with a back projection of stars and a confetti explosion in the show In The Middle Of Our Street. Reminsicent of a party or festival atmosphere.

Full Circle Shows

Current Work

A Little Cog and Full Circle production in partnership with ARC Stockton
Autobiography
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott

This new exciting adventure sees Full Circle Theatre makers working on a number of project activities to work out just who decides whose stories are good enough to be autobiographies and ensuring that both they and our local learning disability community get to tell their stories to have a right to a voice, and also to dispel lazy misconceptions about learning disabled people who far too often find themselves disregarded and disrespected in our cultural lives. And they've been really clear - they don't want anyone to feel sorry for them, ('no pity parties' is what was actually said) and they are tired of seeing learning disabled people being 'treated like kids' which charity models so often reflect. 

So as always, they are not just talking about it, but doing something about it. After the huge success of the community which grew around the Our Stomping Grounds Festival lots more fantastic stuff is on offer: a series of community workshops, learning disability cultural equity training, an introduction to acting course and the development of a new show around the themes we are exploring about storytelling.  They are sharing some of their creative ideas at the Behind the Curtain Cabaret on 20 October at ARC. 

You can find out more about Autobiography here

Past Shows

Originally commissioned for SIRF 2022 and re-staged indoors for the Our Stomping Grounds Festival 2023
A Full Circle Production in association with Little Cog and ARC Stockton

Stomping Ground
​Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott

Background 
Stomping Ground is about where we belong. It’s about where we are welcome, where we fit in and where we can thrive.
 
Having a Stomping Ground has never felt so important over this past two and a half years and Full Circle Theatre Company, an exceptional award-winning ensemble of learning disabled theatre makers, has created a stunning full scale outdoor show. They were determined to continue being creative and, ever resourceful, found ways to be so, affirming their commitment to each other and their audiences during the most challenging circumstances. SIRF 2022 became a new Stomping Ground where the voices of learning disabled people were platformed and celebrated. We had a purpose built accessible stage with impeccable lighting. The whole festival experience was incredible for our cast, with audiences who were appreciative, supportive and encouraging, right through to an ovation at the end of each show. 

Information about the show and its content: 
It feels like you’ve finally forged your own Stomping Ground, and the wider world is beginning to accept you, so a sense of belonging begins to grow. But then the world is turned upside down in every way imaginable and no one can fix it. Full Circle invites you into a lesser-seen world of lesser-told stories, revealing that the communities we create can be magical. Theirs is a story about the fight for a rightful place for learning disabled people told with wit, pathos, and celebration, using their signature visual style, triumphantly translating to outdoor work for the first time in this world premiere.

You can find out more about the show, it's various activities and see photos here 

Access information:
This show is BSL interpreted and captioned. 

Sensory Content Awareness: This is a very visual show with a musical soundtrack throughout. In one section there is multiple sirens (19 minutes & 30 seconds in for 1 min), plus 2 loud bangs in the last track (approx 37 minutes in). There are also moving lights but no flashing lights. There is also a short mimed CPR section.

Themes: Pandemic, Isolation, Staying Connected, Triumph 

Cast
Lesleyanne Carling
Michelle Dick
Peter Gibson
Patrick Gill
Alyson Groat
Adele Hudson
Candice Keenan
Megan Rees
Film Narrator
Max Wreford-Sinnott

Creative Support/Cast
Alex Dechbamrung
Ruth Laidler
​
Production and Creative Team
Kim McDermottroe - Production Design
Tina Frank - Assistant Production Design
Nick Hare - Production Manager (at SIRF)  and Lighting Design
Callum Rattray - Sound Track Creation
Max Wreford-Sinnott - Deputy Stage Manager
Vici Wreford-Sinnott - Director
Chloe Lawrence - Producer for ARC Stockton

​A Couple of Blogs

Full Circle Ready themselves for World Premiere of Stomping Ground

Significant Artistic Dreams Coming True as the Company Prepares for SIRF 22

A Little Cog production in partnership with ARC Stockton
In The Middle Of Our Street
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott

Image Description - Five actors dressed in blue jeans and white zip-up jackets gathered around one actor seated on a fairy light decorated adult trike. From In The Middle Of Our Street

In their tenth anniversary show, the learning disabled actors of Full Circle mix a bit of the ordinary and everyday with a bit of magic to explore what independence and adulthood means to them.

Hannah wants more than the repetition of daily life has to offer and finds herself in an inventors’ workshop, opening Hannah’s eyes to endless exciting possibilities.

Hannah can see freedom, and sets off on a great mission. She goes back for her friends and lets them know there’s another way.

And just what do you do if you take your campaign to the Houses of Parliament and no-one listens? How do you get your voice heard?

If you ever faced a challenge, or had a dream, you’ll know exactly how Hannah and her friends feel. Come and celebrate with them in a visually spectacular show packed with Full Circle’s usual mix of power, poignancy and humour.

The show was first presented at ARC Stockton in 2019, and then performed at Catalyst Award Ceremony and the Come ON Down regional learning disability arts festival at Headway Arts, Blyth Northumberland. To further develop the piece, and the skills of all, we merged the company with five academy members for a 2020 mini-regional tour. The show was perfomred again at ARC to a packed house and will be performed at Arts Centre Washington on 30 January 2020 and CECA Hartlepool on 21 February, along with a package of workshops.

Funded by Arts Council England

Gallery of images description - 15 images show a mix of rehearsal, performance and post show moments for In The Middle of Our Street, at ARC Stockton and Arts Centre Washington. 1. Ten learning disabled performers stand on stage in a protest scene. They are all holding placards campaigning for equality, dignity, choices and rights. 2. In a funky lighting state, ten learning disabled performers are mid-dance move, miming riding a train. Some are seated and some are standing. Images 3 & 4 are in a heavy blue light with all the actors miming holding drinks and swaying gently as if at the beginning of a party. They are silhouettes with a back projection of stars and a confetti explosion. 5. Three of the cast, wearing silver helmets, are miming a pose of strength, emulating a message-delivering theatre company within the show. Images 6, 10 and 15 are of actors in a protest pose, demanding to be listened to, pointing and raising their arms. Images 7, 8 & 9 are three trios of actors. A central character is being told what to do by two characters either side of them. 11. An actor stands in the foreground looking confident, having stood up for himself. He has his hands on his hips and his head held high. 12. An image capturing a fast moving scene of actors pushing lit up shopping trolleys, lit up shopping baskets and a lit up adult trike. 13. A rehearsal image in front of a huge projection of a playground, the group have their arms out like playtime aeroplanes, suggesting they are being treated like children. 14. Full Circle Company members posing with the worshipful the Mayor of Stockton-On-Tees Lynn Hall, and the Mayoress. Photo Credits Max Wreford-Sinnott and Black Robin.

“The performances were fantastic and the set was beautiful, it conveyed a really important message”

“The performance made me feel moved in their experience”

“Lovely poignancy and emotion”

ARC Stockton, Audience Members

A Cultural Shift production in partnership with Little Cog and ARC Stockton
The Keepers
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott

Image description - Eight actors in identical grey institutional uniforms stand at the front of the stage facing the audience. Behind them is a huge projection of an old fashioned institutional dining room with long tables and chairs. It is an unhappy image communicating a lack of agency.

Ever wondered where all the messages in bottles end up? Or where all the released balloons with messages of love land?
 
Ever made a promise it was almost impossible to keep, where every possible obstacle that could appear, did appear?
 
The learning disabled actors from Full Circle, have been working in collaboration with professional theatre director Vici Wreford-Sinnott on their latest production. The new piece explores what it’s like to have no voice and few choices, cleverly looking into the places we are given in society.
 
The actors were inspired by a book called ‘No Going Back’, where a group of learning disabled storytellers looked into the experiences of disabled people and wanted to tell the stories to make sure they weren’t forgotten. This really struck a chord with Full Circle actors and devisers, who are just the same, having spent 9 years developing their own unique style of theatre and being committed to ensuring that learning disabled people are visible in both our communities and also in wider society.
 
The Keepers is set on a remote island and follows the stories of a group of people who have been sent to live there against their wishes. In spite of attempts to remove their dignity, the group forge a role for themselves, and become the keepers of hidden promises, of invisible truths, and of stories untold, and the piece speaks to the responsibility we all have to reveal unfairness and inequality in our local communities.  
 
As ever, the piece is true to Full Circle’s signature style and is visually striking with a fantastic sound track.

Funded by Spirit of 2012 Trust and Stockton Borough Council

Gallery of images description - 1. 9 white hat stands on stage in a blue light. Actors next to them with hats and coats. 2 & 3 Two images reflecting a journey with actors following each other onto a boat and then up some stairs at an institution. 4 & 5 Characters arriving and being inducted to the institution - all given identical grey uniforms and photographed. A giant projection of each to fhte actors as they have their photographs taken. 6. One female actor sits on the floor surrounded by red rose petals - she has her head in her hands as she remembers home. 7 & 8 a dance routine revolving around having to sweep the institution. The actors sweep in one image and then use the brushes to mime microphones and singing rock and roll. 9. Three actors set up a gingham covered tea table with giant fabric cupcakes on it. 10. Two female actors in blind wigs with one squirting perfume under the other ones arm. 11. All characters dancing at a rave with a colourful back projection.

A Cultural Shift production in partnership with Little Cog and ARC Stockton
Out of the Shadows
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott

Image description - eight actors gathered under a collection of eight umbreallas seated. They are surrounded by old fashined suitcases. The image suggests an airship. There is a huge projection behind them of a blue sky and clouds.

"A world where suitcases and umbrellas become airships and trains stations. A journey into the woods, down the tracks and up in the air, allows Full Circle to explore who is in the shadows and what secret worlds are bubbling just below the surface.

Inventive and highly visual, captivating strong imagery through projection and shadow reveal the human stories at the heart of this piece".

This new piece of visual and physical storytelling has been devised by the ensemble of learning disabled actors who make up Full Circle Theatre Company, working in collaboration with theatre director, Vici Wreford-Sinnott.
 
The actors take us from a peaceful woodland scene on an energetic chase through a range of film genres and styles to explore why some people live in the shadows and what happens when people get left out.  When we’re safe and sound why would we want to leave out people who are different.
 
Full Circle are a long established theatre group who always create visually stunning work with a range of effects. This time we are using huge projections and experimenting with shadows, whilst the setting is stripped right back to the actors being creative with just a few props.
 
A thoroughly entertaining piece of original theatre, ensuring the creative expression of disabled people is included in our local cultural landscape, proudly placed centre-stage to challenge perceptions of disabled people, to celebrate individuality and identity, and to ensure the visibility of disabled people – making sure that we come Out of the Shadows!

Funded by Spirit of 2012 Trust and Stockton Borough Council

Gallery of images description. 1. With a back projection of a flash of lightening, a group of actors all in utilitarian / steam punk costumes are all holding cream umbrellas in the air, all connected to look like the top of an airship. 2. A blue sky projection and all actors are seated within a circle of old fashioned suitcases, again with umbrellas up to suggest an airship. 3. An underwater projection with fish and a shark. Characters from the show are walking under the water trying to find a means of escape. 4. A giant film noir projection of a man in a trilby hat, holding a gun looking through blinds at a window. Three actors on stage are miming being tied to chairs, while they are surrounded and threatened by a group of gangsters. 5. A circle of cream umbrellas on the floor surrounds a group of actors all looking outward. 6. Two actors are seated and one standing, in a car suggested by suitcases and umbrellas. 7. A projection of a film noir alleyway, extended by two lines of suitcases on stage. Three actors mime running down the alleyway. 8. A close up of image 4 revealing gangsters threatening actors. 9. Giant projection of a train station. On this occasion the actors have made a train from suitcases and are positioned around it getting ready for the next stage of their journey. 10. The image used on the show psters. Two female actors stand opposite each other, in front of a projection of rain. Their large shadows are cast against the rain.

A Cultural Shift production in partnership with Little Cog and ARC Stockton
Los Muertos
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott

Three actors in very theatrical costumes - large stylised grey skeleton masks and hand painted skeleton costumes, against a background of the crumbling walls of a haunted house in Mexico. Atmospheric blue lighting.

Los Muertos was devised by the ensemble and directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott. It is set in a small Mexican village on the celebration of the Day of the Dead.

The production tells the stories of what happens when a whole village falls under the power of dark forces; of the White Lady, a traditional Mexican ghost, denied a relationship with her Lost Love; of two most unusual ghost hunters; and, a gaggle of giddy skeletons. The action takes place in the shadows of the House on the Hill. Will any of them ever be free of the Puppetmeister who tries to control them all?
The piece represents Full Circle’s second large scale production. After the success of their production of The Lab last year, the group knew they wanted to continue to develop their own unique style of devised theatre. They have worked hard all year on a range of theatre skills, including mask work, physical theatre, improvising, movement, dance and digital work. The group were again keen to develop a lively colourful show with both comic elements and pathos.  

Funded by Spirit of 2012 Trust and Stockton Borough Council

Gallery of images description - the set for Los Muertos is typical of the Full Circle aesthetic, colourful and visually dramatic staging. Drawing inpsiration from a South American haunted house, there are two large revolving walls with an interior and exterior effect. Central to the set is a gauze large window which means people can be seen or hidden behind it depending on the desired effect for the scene. The costumes are all stylised, hand made and hand painted in grey, black, and white with accents of red. The White Lady wears a white wedding dress and flowered head dress and veil. Two female ghost hunters wear hand painted black and white striped suits, and have an elaborate hat which lights up. They have multiple fittings attached including and old fashioned car horn.

A Little Cog production in partnership with ARC Stockton
The Lab
Devised by Full Circle & Directed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott

A powerful dramatic image of two actors in the foreground wearing black overalls and stylised alien masks, one of which is pink and one of which is green. Both actors are reaching skyward. In that background is a raised deck area and a scientific laboratory in white. One actor stands frozen on the deck, dressed in a science-fiction styled white scientist costume and a green and black punky wig.

The Lab is an exciting piece of physical theatre created in collaboration between Little Cog and Full Circle Drama Group. The audience is invited to enter Compound 49, a top secret laboratory and research centre dedicated to detecting alien life forms. A team of dedicated scientists have been given a strange device of unknown origin. With a strong soundtrack, events unfold through the performers skill in mask work, physical theatre and live feed news reporting. However not everything is what it seems, the planet is at risk, who can save it?

The Lab has been supported by ARC, Stockton Borough Council and Arts Council England and devised by Full Circle Theatre Group and Little Cog.
Full Circle Theatre Group is based at ARC and was set up in 2008 by two of the groups’ members with the support of Stockton Borough Council Adult Services, and Development Officers Caroline Rankin and Alan Pearson, who have now also been joined by Marty Maenami. The group is committed to promoting and valuing people with learning disabilities, their creativity and their voices. The group creates new and original work, with scripting and devising being carried out by group members.  ARC, Stockton have also supported the group in their artistic endeavours and have previously  successfully gained funding from Northern Rock to enable the group to work with a performing arts practitioner.

Funded by Arts Council England and Stockton Borough Council

Gallery of images decsription - The Lab is a science fiction show set in Compound 49. The set comprises of a raised platform upstage with a railing at the front and a white wall of flashing lights, wires, cables, levers and tubes. There is a shelf of glass jars filled with coloured water and research specimens. Integrated into the set is a large screen on which regular news bulletins are projected. Four alien characters all have stylised handmade Spanish papier mache style masks and black overalls. The scientists all have stylised white uniforms, and all wear colourful punky wigs. Image 1 is a photo of the set. 2. Four alien characters gathered in a circle centre stage with two scientists in the background. 3 Two aliens - one is a wheelchair user and is pointing outwards, whilst the other alien is looking at her. 4. A scientist, is a black spiky wig and elaborate sci-fi white coat looks directly into the camera with a slight mirk on his face. 5. Three glass jars with colourful water and scientific specimens in them. 6. Two characters, one facing the camera, has just given the other a large colourful papier mache flower. 7. A male scientist in a large pink wig, has her finger raised to her lips, asking everyone to be quiet. 8. Powerful image of two aliens reaching skyward. 9. A female scientist in a green and black spiky wig and elaborate  sci-fi white coat in a side profile looking very serious.