Critically-acclaimed “disability Taskmaster” show for kids comes to to Halifax

The critically-acclaimed kids game show Blue Badge Bunch is coming to Square Chapel in Halifax on Sunday, September 10, 2pm as part of its 2023 UK tour.
By Abigail Kellett
Published 23rd Aug 2023, 19:00 BST
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Blue Badge Bunch is an interactive kids game show from production company Ingenious Fools that offers audiences the experience of what it is like to have different disabilities through interactive games.

The show had a critically-acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe this year, and has been shortlisted for the Neurodiverse Representation Award and Best Show Award in the Midlands Comedy Awards 2022.

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Critically-acclaimed “disability Taskmaster” show for kids comes to to Halifax. Picture: Liam KeownCritically-acclaimed “disability Taskmaster” show for kids comes to to Halifax. Picture: Liam Keown
Critically-acclaimed “disability Taskmaster” show for kids comes to to Halifax. Picture: Liam Keown

Dubbed the “disability Taskmaster”, Blue Badge Bunch is hosted by comedian Benny Shakes, who has cerebral palsy, and autistic stand-up comedian Mark Nicholas, plus special comedy guests.

The panel and audience get to experience how it feels to have a disability by playing interactive games such as ‘Below the Belt,’ where participants draw with their bare feet, work out sentences from a speaking aid in ‘Jamie's Gamey’, and guess the price and purpose of disability equipment in ‘The Price is Wrong’.

Midlands-based host Benny Shakes was awarded £30k from Arts Council England to develop and tour the show, with support from Attenborough Arts Centre (Leicester), The Quarry Theatre Bedford and New Art Exchange.

This money is giving disabled artists more paid opportunities and raising awareness of the issues they face in a fun and engaging way.

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Blue Badge Bunch is an interactive kids game show from production company Ingenious Fools that offers audiences the experience of what it is like to have different disabilities through interactive games. Picture: Liam KeownBlue Badge Bunch is an interactive kids game show from production company Ingenious Fools that offers audiences the experience of what it is like to have different disabilities through interactive games. Picture: Liam Keown
Blue Badge Bunch is an interactive kids game show from production company Ingenious Fools that offers audiences the experience of what it is like to have different disabilities through interactive games. Picture: Liam Keown

Host Benny Shakes said: "With Blue Badge Bunch I wanted to create a comedy show that could make the next generation think differently about disability. It's a fun game show about something so important that offers audiences a chance to see how disabled people live each day, and we had an amazing response from audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival last year.

"It feels like this show is more important now than ever. There are still so many misconceptions around disability; in recent months I've experienced abuse about the way I speak, or people assuming that I'm less intelligent than them because I speak differently to them.

"Blue Badge Bunch gives us the opportunity to educate audiences about disabilities like Cerebral Palsy and Autism in an accessible, interactive way and hopefully change attitudes."

For more information visit squarechapel.co.uk

Related topics:TaskmasterHalifax