Theatre has long been a space where stories are told, but not all stories are given the spotlight. Unruly, written and performed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott and directed by Bex Bowsher, challenges this imbalance. Opening at ARC Stockton, and touring the Live Theatre, Newcastle, and the Hippodrome in Darlington, this production refuses to let disabled women’s voices be silenced. It is a bold, urgent exploration of resistance, friendship, and the fight for disability rights—one that resonates deeply with the work of Difference North East.
Book your tickets for Newcastle and for Darlington!
A Story of Defiance and Friendship
At its heart, Unruly tells the story of Marina and Suze, two radical activists who took on the world together through the disability rights movement. Their friendship was fierce, loyal, and full of rebellion. But when Marina loses Suze, she is forced to pause and reflect: was it all worth it? What does it mean to dedicate your life to fighting injustice? And how do we honour those who stood beside us when they are gone?
These are deeply personal questions, but they also reflect a wider reality: activism comes at a cost, particularly for disabled people who already navigate a world full of barriers. In Unruly, Marina’s journey is not just about personal grief—it is about the generations of disabled women who have refused to be invisible, no matter the cost.
The Social Model of Disability on Stage
Central to Unruly is a challenge to how disability is typically represented in theatre. Too often, disabled characters are framed as tragic figures or as ‘inspirational’ for simply existing. Unruly rejects these stereotypes, instead embracing the social model of disability—a perspective that sees barriers in society, rather than impairments, as the real source of disability.
This is not just a theoretical stance. It is in the very structure of the play. Disabled artists led by the production. Ensuring that disabled people are not just being talked about. But are in control of their own narratives. The result is an authentic, unapologetic portrayal of disability that refuses to conform to expectations.
Why This Matters – ‘Unruly’ the power of disabled women’s voices
The stories we see on stage shape how we understand the world. For too long, those with overlook or distort disabled women’s stories. Unruly is a necessary correction—one that invites audiences to celebrate the radicals who fought before us and consider what it means to resist injustice today.
For those who attended Difference North East’s Power and Influence: Disabled Women in the North East event last year, Unruly is an example of a natural continuation of that conversation. It is a reminder that disabled women have always been at the forefront of change. And that powerful people will do not always listen to their voices.
Take Action
Unruly is more than just a play; it is a call to action. In fact, watching it is not a passive experience—it is an invitation to think, to question, and to challenge the status quo.
Don’t miss the chance to see this groundbreaking production. Book your tickets now at ARC Stockton. Further, if you want to be part of a movement that amplifies disabled voices, join Difference North East today.
