DaDa is a innovative disability arts organisation based in the North West, formally known as NWDAF, it continues to be a cutting edge Disability and Deaf Arts Agency, not only from its base in Liverpool, but also across the northwest region of England, and nationally and internationally. It has been delivering Disability arts projects since it was first founded as Arts Integrated Merseyside or AIM [part of the Shape network] in 1984.

Urban Strawberry Lunch are a group who make great music from virtually any object, anywhere. Formed in 1987 the group have performed internationally, nationally and around the Northwest. In 2001, USL began laying the foundations to establish the group as Artists in Residence at Liverpool’s famous “bombed-out church” St Lukes. The building was partially destroyed during the infamous “May Blitz” of Liverpool during World War 2. The group now run unplugged gigs, exhibitions, poetry readings, dramatic arts and dance at the venue where all shows are free. The group’s website highlights some of the instuments used by USL. These include Leg Guitar – made from a shop dummy’s leg and the Longbow – deep sub-bass instrument, made from an archery bow.

Chris Rodenhurst or Sketchy Beast is a graphic artists and designer who lives and works in Liverpool. We were lucky enough to have Chris design the Shakespeare In The Streets logo for us but he also takes his artistic work straight to his audience. Working with artists such as Hannah Peel he has appeared in productions such as last year’s Liverpool Sonnet Walks drawing pictures of audiences to accompany other performances. Chris also created the artwork for Hannah’s single ‘Organ Song’. Chris teaches on the BA Graphic Arts course at Liverpool John Moores University and has worked for companies ranging from the BBC to Kellogg’s. Much of Sketchy Beasts’ work can be found on his website including illustrations and graphics of fairytales, a collection of portraits, robots and people.

Shakespeare in the Streets are incredibly grateful to Chris for the fantastic logo he created for us. You can see more of his illustrations and artwork at Sketchybeast.com

Hannah is a musician, composer and musical director who trained at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. She loves exploring found instruments like rusty pianos and violins and is particularly found of music boxes which she samples and loops into her music. She often works with Sketchy Beast, aka Chris Rodenhurst, to combine his artwork with her music. Hannah was also the curator of the AudioVision Festival 2008 which brought together visual installations, Live VJ’d Music performances, Artist screenings and visual workshops.

Hannah has very kindly allowed us to post a recording of Sonnet 113 which she performed with Chris Rodenhurst (Sketchy Beast). You can listen to below