A new celebration of disabled and deaf-led creativity and performance at Camden People’s Theatre.
Camden People’s Theatre is proud to launch Every Body Festival, a two-week celebration of disabled and deaf-led performance, creativity and community. Running from 29 June to 13 July 2025, Artistic Director Rio Matchett’s inaugural programme features a packed line-up of live shows, workshops, digital premieres and panel discussions – all led by disabled and deaf artists pushing at the boundaries of access, artistry and resistance. From one-night-only scratch nights to urgent political debate, the festival is designed to create space for everyone – with access at its heart and artists at the centre.
The festival features new work from FUSE, Deafinitely Theatre, and Paines Plough, alongside streamed performances that extend the programme - and its accessibility - beyond the building. Highlights include For A Palestinian and GRILLS, developed through CPT’s own commissioning scheme. Both are available to stream on demand throughout the festival, reflecting CPT’s ongoing commitment to digital access and community-led storytelling.
Across two weeks, Every Body Festival brings together one-night-only performances, panel discussions, online meet-ups and live cabaret – all led by artists with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence or deaf identity. Highlights include Lighting the FUSE, a new BSL-led theatre piece devised in just five days, to The Only Brown Deaf Man in England, a fierce, funny, and unapologetically bold work-in-progress. Scratch Nights, brand new work from disabled and neurodivergent artists and A Night in Sign, a vibrant BSL-led cabaret celebrating Deaf talent. The festival closes with an inclusive Every Body Party – complete with snacks, a chill-out space, and possibly even Deaf karaoke.
One of the festival’s most urgent events is Balancing the Books, a panel discussion on Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Access to Work, and disability rights. Led by disabled artists and activists, it centres the lived experience of those most affected.
Every Body Festival puts access at the heart of its design, not just its delivery. All its events have an element of access, whether that’s BSL, captioning, audio description or a relaxed design.
Every Body Festival: 29 June – 13 July 2025
Camden People’s Theatre, 58–60 Hampstead Road, London NW1 2PY
Further Information: www.cptheatre.co.uk/festivals/EveryBody