Documental Productions: Newsicals!, Sing & Sign Choir and consultation work
As a further development of the previously commissioned project, between September 2025 and February 2026, Documental delivered 12 Sing and Sign Jukebox Choir rehearsals, 5 SEND family songwriting sessions, and 4 Sing and Sign Jukebox Choir performances (at Ellen Tinkham School, at the Lord Mayor’s Breakfast in the Guild Hall, and sharing songs created on the songwriting programme at Newsicals at the Barnfield Theatre, and at Exeter Cathedral to an audience of 600!)
With this iteration of the project, Documental further grew and refined the practice of the Sing and Sign Jukebox Makaton Choir, as well as offering more participants the opportunity to take part in the SEND songwriting programme. Through the two Newsicals events at Exeter Barnfield Theatre, the choir had the chance to further showcase their talents; they performed alongside new musical theatre from Exeter and the Southwest, firmly positioning them in a professional creative, performance environment. The commission also supported a consultation process on how to deliver the ‘Unreachable’ musical with a PWLD ensemble cast in an accessible way.
The choir continues to grow and become more effective, and its reputation in Exeter is growing with shows at prestige venues (Guild Hall and Cathedral) and new Exeter-based members including Eileen Laura Geiger who have introduced BSL into its signing repertoire. The consultation process was supported exploration of the needs and realities of venue and timeline for rehearsals and how to troubleshoot challenges that may arise with a PWLD ensemble cast. The consultation process also meant that Documental have connected with more PWLD / SEND hubs which may feed participants into the choir and the musical.
About Documental Theatre
Documental stories begin with interviews and archive finds. Their productions document British life in all its light and dark shades through playful, thought-provoking audio, theatre and musical productions. They want our shows to open up their arms and welcome the audience in. Increasingly the team are involved in community action: Makaton choirs, songs created with rural heroes, podcasts for community stations, and a grown-up musical with Makaton signing. Documental is led by writer Lucy Bell and producer Naomi Turner and associates include award-winning neuro-diverse, carer and disabled creatives from the South West.