Guide Gods

Claire is disabled.

Is it the will of a higher power?
Is she paying for the mistakes of a past life?
Is it a test for her, or a punishment for her parents?
Could she, should she, be healed?
Is she welcomed by all faiths or will it all prove just too inaccessible?

Using dance, live music, humour and interviews with religious leaders, academics and deaf and disabled people, Claire goes on a perilous quest to explore how the major world faiths view deafness and disability in this witty and illuminating show.

There will be a chance afterwards to have some tea, chat and to ponder your own beliefs (Will Karma catch up with you if you help yourself to too many biscuits!?).

Click here for access information.

Guide Gods Trailer

Tell Me Something You Love – Audio

Interview with Claire about Guide Gods

Piano Composition by Greg Harradine inspired by Guide Gods

Click here to find out more about Greg’s process of creating music inspired by other art forms.

Reviews

“it's Cunningham's words and actions that burrow into your thoughts [and] unnerve your preconceptions” ★★★★★ The HeraldFull article

“Cunningham is a generous, unembittered performer and while she pokes fun at the superstitious, prejudice views of religion, she plays the Good Samaritan in her respect for and acceptance of all beliefs, faiths… and body types.” Londondance.comFull article

“To place a show exploring faith's attitude towards disability in a festival of disability arts was a brave move but that bravery paid off... If the world's political and religious leaders saw Guide Gods I wonder if we might move a little closer to world peace?” The Huffington PostFull article

“Cunningham is such a magnificent artist… [a] unique and completely beautiful show” ★★★★ The ScotsmanFull article

“Guide Gods is no anti-religious or political diatribe. Cunningham is no Dawkins or Hitchens, but conducting a genuine inquiry into what William James called ‘the variety of religious experience’ – and disabled experience as well” Daily Review, AustraliaFull article

Credits

Running Time: 80 minutes
Recommended for ages 14+

Performed and conceived by Claire Cunningham
A co-production with the Ulster Bank Belfast Festival at Queens and Southbank Centre

Composer/Musician	Derek Nisbet
Production Designer and Lighting Designer	Brian Gorman
Designer	Karen Tennent
Mentor	Tom Roden
Publicity Image	Eoin Carey

Download the large print version of the programme

Guide Gods was commissioned as part of the Glasgow 2014 cultural programme.

Previous Performances

Greater Easterhouse Supporting Hands, Glasgow
University Chapel, Glasgow
Deaf Connections, Glasgow
St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art, Glasgow
Southbank Centre, London
The Skainos Centre, Belfast
The Duncairn, Belfast
Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock
Victoria Hall, Perth
Burt Memorial Hall, Perth
Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas, Liverpool, part of DaDaFest
Manchester Maccabi Community & Sports Centre, Manchester
Rainbow Rooms Community Centre, Eccles
Meeting House, Brighton, Brighton
LVR-Berufskolleg, Dusseldorf
Diakone, Dusseldorf