ORIGIN: A Mixed Bill

DanceSyndrome Presents:
ORIGIN: A Mixed Bill

At The Lowry, Salford
Thursday 19th November 2026 at 7:00PM

It all began with a simple question: “What do you want to create?”

Now, three years later, ORIGIN emerges – a bold, artist-led platform where diverse voices take centre stage.

Developed through DanceSyndrome’s iCreate programme, which places Artists with learning disabilities at the heart of the collaborative process, ORIGIN is a mixed bill of six newly commissioned works, created with international choreographers.

Joyful, daring and deeply original – ORIGIN is a powerful celebration of creativity, collaboration and artistic freedom. It is a defining moment: the beginning of something really exciting, a space where all Artists are seen, valued and celebrated.

Join us in the foyer from 5:45pm to learn more about DanceSyndrome’s iCreate project, visit our pre-show access table to learn more about the show, and enjoy a pre-show foyer performance from our DS Youth Collective.

Our Approach to Access

We are keen to offer a range of adjustments that help both audiences and Artists with disabilities to access live events, as well as our regular community workshops. As a member of our audience, it may help you to understand the access adjustments that are in place at our performance of ORIGIN: A Mixed Bill.

Our team has chosen The Lowry as our venue for this event because of their own approach to accessibility. You can find details of their access adjustments on their website.

The Lowry operates a scheme where audience members with disabilities can bring an essential companion (parent/carer/support worker) for free. You can register for this scheme by completing their Access Register Application Form on their website or by calling their Access team on 0161 876 2183.

What makes a DanceSyndrome event accessible?

We understand that access is subjective and what is accessible to one person may not be for another. Our aim is to make each DanceSyndrome space feel as welcoming and inclusive as possible, so we are always open to feedback about how we can meet individual needs in different ways.

We will have Audience Sensory Support Kits available, at our access table in the Foyer, with a range of aids for those who may benefit from them. This includes ear defenders, tinted glasses, fidget/stress toys, and mini fans to help with temperature regulation. You can speak to our dedicated Access Guide on the evening if you would like make use of these.

Programme notes and a Visual Story will be available to give extra information to people before they watch the show. This helps people with learning disabilities to fully access a show, learn about the performers and know what to expect from the performance.

The performance has carefully considered lighting and sound, to create a balance between enabling people with sensory differences to enjoy the show and giving design and creative ownership to our Artists with disabilities. The auditorium lights will be raised between each of the six different pieces to allow the audience to take a moment to prepare, in their own way, for the next performance piece. During this pause, there will be audible descriptions of the piece, time to process written programme notes and time to ensure audience members can readjust to make themselves feel more comfortable, if needed.

Integrated captions/subtitles have been used on all spoken video content for those with hearing impairments or neuro-divergences.

There will also be a BSL interpreter for people with hearing impairments and an Audio Describer an associated Touch Tour for people with visual impairments (available at 6pm on the day of the show).

This year, we are providing even more support staff, both in the theatre and backstage, to help to improve access and communication, ensuring we are fully supporting diverse audiences and performers.

We will strive to provide even more adjustments at all future performances to ensure dance is accessible to everyone. For more information about Accessibility, please Contact Us.