Without Words

Shadow play, also known as shadow puppetry, is an ancient form of storytelling and entertainment which uses flat articulated cut-out figures (shadow puppets) which are held between a source of light and a translucent screen or scrim. Shadow puppet theatre likely originated in Central Asia-China or in India in the 1st millennium BCE.  The cut-out shapes of the puppets sometimes include translucent color or other types of detailing. Various effects can be achieved by moving both the puppets and the light source. A talented puppeteer can make the figures appear to walk, dance, fight, nod and laugh. Indonesian shadow play, source: Wikipedia Another way of doing shadow theatre is with human bodies - using actors from flesh and blood.  The only minimum equipment in this case is a white sheet and a light source. The actors stand between the light source and the sheet. It can be very useful for inclusion work as it allows people from all kind of backgrounds to actively participate....

Shadow Theatre: Inclusion Without Words https://youtu.be/lhJN1X-3O_w Sofia September 2022 Shadow as a method for inclusion

Hi, my name is Fanny and I got the opportunity to be involved with Without Words. It was like a dream when I got to know that I was going to Newcastle. I never thought that I could go on a trip like this, but I did it and and want to travel many more times! The thing that I liked the most about the trip was the morning when we all where playing the drums. That was because even if we didnt say anything we still could feel the rythm and play the same. Another thing that was very fun was to go around and see Newcastle . We also went to a real afternoon tea party. I also like to speak english and that I got to see both old and new faces. After this project I know that anything is possible! Hope to see you again! /Fanny

Headway Arts Associate Artist, Mark Barfoot, led a remarkable drumming workshop without words. Using the sounds of the drums, careful movement and expression, Mark was able to lead the group with new ways of communication. Don't be afraid to try new methods, particularly if something is not working as it is. Keep trying and we will communicate.  

Hi, my name is Mattias and I got the chance to go to two different places to learn new things.  My first trip was to Athens and the weather was really hot. I remember that we walked up on a really high mountain and that the other countries thought that we where little bit crazy. They said that the Swedish walked everywhere. I got some new friends. The last day we went to Little Kook and got really inspired from their Wonderland Cafe. I hope we can do something similar in Nöjesfabriken. My next trip was to Sophia, Bulgaria. We found a candy shop that had the theme Hansel and Gretel,that was really nice. The bulgarian group had made a quiz for us so we got explore the city and use our minds together. I enjoyed that. Under the week we worked with shadow theater and that was something new to me. It was a little difficult but really nice and we will try it at home.

  TIME Give everyone time to: hear accustom listen speak share experience understand