Circus City's Deaf-led research lab publishes its findings and commitments in October

On 9 July, Circus City ran its first in-person VISUAL Feats research lab at Tit for Tat's creation space in Bristol. Jenny Sealey, artistic director of Graeae, facilitated it with Nicole A'Court-Stuart of Circus City and Ryan Murphy of Tit for Tat.

The room brought Deaf artists, choreographers, directors and creatives together with circus professionals. Two questions sat underneath the day: what barriers exist to making Deaf-led circus, and what circus can be when it is made accessible to Deaf creators.

Work shown included Bird Gherl, with Sealey and Kate White revisiting the Paralympic Games opening ceremony project, and Olga Kaleta's film on building BSL into her autobiographical show Period Drama. Olga Kaleta, Maia Ayling, David Ellington, Emily Green, Ciaran O'Breen, DL Williams, Kate White and Reuben were among those taking part.

Circus City says the VISUAL Feats report and its commitments are due in October.

Most accessibility conversations in circus are about the audience: captioned shows, relaxed performances, getting people through the door. This one is about who makes the work, which is a different question and a harder one.