Sensory Theatre
How to Make Interactive, Inclusive, Immersive Theatre for Diverse Audiences by a Founder of Oily Cart
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Taylor & Francis Ltd
Publishing:12th Nov '26
£171.99
This title is due to be published on 12th November, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
This hardback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£39.99(9781041097075)
Sensory Theatre is an accessible step-by-step guide to creating theatre for inclusive audiences, such as babies and toddlers, or young people on the Autism Spectrum or affected by other neuro-divergent conditions. In this updated and considerably expanded second edition, ten new chapters share the diverse experiences of Sensory Theatre companies across the world.
The books traces Sensory Theatre’s core work and fundamental concepts, harnessing the power of five or more senses to address its participants who have different ways of relating to the world around them. It offers a host of practical techniques drawn from over forty years of experience with Oily Cart, especially radical innovations such as theatre on trampolines, in hydrotherapy pools, and with flying audiences in the company of aerial artists. The book also includes copious photos from the Oily Cart’s archives and many links to video examples of the company’s work. While the first half of the book presents an insightful overview of Oily Cart’s history and pioneering the development of work for the very young including Baby Theatre, and those described in the UK as having Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD), the second half of this book is dedicated to Sensory Theatre companies around the world. They explore how they adopted different techniques, such as incorporating on-line and digital programming with their analogue multi-sensory work.
- Readers will learn how to:
- Research the intended audience while not being led astray by labels.
- Create a welcoming, immersive sensory space in classrooms, nurseries, school halls and playgrounds.
- Recruit, audition, cast and run rehearsals.
- Ensure that the production is truly sensory and interactive.
Written for theatre practitioners as well as educators, the second edition of Sensory Theatre is ideal for Theatre for Young Audiences, Drama in Education and specialised Applied Theatre courses.
“This is one of the most important books about theatre-making I have read in recent years…Every serious student of theatre should read it. Every theatre-maker should”. -Danny Braverman SFHEA FRSA, Winner: 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for Drama – Music & Drama Educators
“In an increasingly digital online and divisive world, magnifying what we can offer the world through theatre is ever more important and thus we must be open to expanding the perceived limits of theatre, which this book does.” -Teresa A. Fisher, Bronx Community College
“Making contact and making meaning are here ways of enabling the sheer pleasure of theatre to be experienced regardless of ability or expectation. It’s not misleading to describe the work in these pages as a means of sharing pleasure. Even where the tone or content can be dark, this is a theatre of hope.” -Tony Graham, Artistic Director of the Unicorn Theatre for 14 years
"With humility, honesty, and good humor, Webb offers a menu of possibilities for creating sensory theatre, informed by Oily Cart’s bold experimentation and innovation spanning over forty years. Featuring accounts of sensory theatre world-wide, this book celebrates the best of multisensory theatre.” -Elizabeth Brendel Horn, Associate Professor of Theatre for Young Audiences, Northwestern University
"This is essential reading for anyone interested in theatre. Tim Webb is a pioneer of sensory theatre practice, his work and ideas have influenced countless companies and artists around the world. In this second edition of his book he shares that expertise with a clarity, generosity and care that makes this a must-read for all who make, think about or dream of creating theatre that is accessible to all." -Professor Jeremy Harrison, Head of the Theatre for Young Audience's Centre at Rose Bruford College, Lead Artist (SEND) for Playground, aand Special School Advisor for Primary Shakespeare Company
“Webb demonstrates that sensory theatre is among the most imaginative and artistically adventurous forms of performance being created today....Sensory Theatre stands as a testament to a global movement that continues to redefine excellence, innovation, and accessibility in performance." - Gillian McNally, Professor, Theatre Education, University of Northern Colorado
"Tim Webb's SENSORY THEATRE is perhaps the most vital contemporary text for anyone creating immersive new works that are accessible to and engaging for all audiences. This text guides the creator through history, current practices, and inspiring, yet practical, tools for transcending traditional boundaries and engaging audiences through multisensory experiences. What a gift! I learned so much and look forward to sharing it with my students and colleagues – so that we can all strive to create theatre that is accessible to all." -Meriah Sage, Associate Professor and Program Director of Applied Drama & Theatre for the Young Graduate Program, Director of Theatre, Eastern Michigan University; 2025 recipient of the Johnny Saldana Outstanding Professor of Theatre Education Award
ISBN: 9781041097099
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
290 pages
2nd edition