Ash Cox

| queer | disabled-led | neurodivergent-led | accessible | integrated creative access | working class | global majority-led | feminist | political | arts for social change

Ta 🌚

theatre | performance art | live art | gig theatre | interactive | new musicals | cabaret | drag | autobiographical | storytelling | devised | new writing | sci-fi | mythology

Comment below with your Ed Fringe 2025 recommendations please! (1/3)

An image of an actor against a pink and black stage backdrop in a black vest, speaking into a microphone. The text reads: 70% LGBTQ audiences, 12 venues with access provisions, 20% d/Deaf audience, 24% Neurodiverse audience and the Dibby theatre logo.

An image of an actor in a Toxic Britney Spears costume, holding a microphone against a blue background and the text: 22 shows at 11 venues and the Dibby Theatre logo.

An image of an actor holding a microphone with a joyous expression and the text: 6 post show discussions and audience development events and the Dibby Theatre logo.

An image of two actors in pink and yellow dressing gowns, looking at each other affectionately on a stage set with the text 33 creative freelancers engaged, 75% LGTBQ+ workforce and the Dibby Theatre logo.

In May we wrapped a 3 month tour of Toxic by @nathanieljhall.bsky.social - and what a tour it was ✨

After a big ol' evaluation we wanted to share highlights and production photos (courtesy of Rosie Powell)!

Starting with some sexy stats, we're so proud of what we achieved 💚

#ToxicHighlights

ALLIES, WE NEED YOU.

48 hours.

The Government's concessions completely ignore the thousands of Disabled people on Universal Credit with LCWRA.

They are still proposing this be slashed from £416 to just over £200.

This bill cannot be salvaged by concessions - it must be scrapped.

Disability Arts Online are looking for new trustees!

Deen, our Digital Influencer tells us what its like working with the Disability Arts Online team.

Find out more about becoming a Trustee and how to apply ↓
disabilityarts.online/opportunity-...

My Job Hasn’t Changed, My Disability Hasn’t Changed, So Why Has My Support Changed? Shortly before my emergency pacemaker operation at the end of March, I had a meeting with a couple of my colleagues to talk about what should happen to our company if I didn’t survive the procedure. T...

My Job Hasn’t Changed, My Disability Hasn’t Changed, So Why Has My Support Changed? www.touretteshero.com/2025/06/20/m...

YouTube video by Access All Areas July 2025 | Shows by Disabled Artists

Busy month for disability arts and AAA, but we managed to squeeze Cian in for his monthly “5 Shows by Disabled Artists”.

Watch for just some examples of the great stuff the disability art industry makes and will continue to make, no matter what.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl4h...

‘Disastrous’ cuts bill that leaves legacy of distrust and distress ‘must be dropped’ Disabled activists have called on the government to scrap its “dangerous” and “disastrous” disability benefits bill, despite forcing ministers into last-minute changes that scrapped all their plann…

#WelfareReform

www.disabilitynewsservice.com/disastrous-c...

Five people holding placards and the Amnesty Social Insecurity report. The placards read: social security is a human right, stop the cuts and poverty is a political choice.

Earlier this week, the Government forced through their cuts to social security - by making unwritten promises of improvement.

The reality remains: cuts for people who are ill are still on the table.

🧵

Woman in a vibrant red dress holds a microphone, seated in front of metal kegs with a thoughtful expression. "Traverse Festival" text in top right.

Lucky Tonight! is an interactive pub quiz/theatre show by Afreena Islam-Wright.  Quizmaster (and former contestant of The Chase!) Afreena will put you through your paces to help her tell her story.

🗓️ 31 July - 24 Aug
Tickets on sale now
www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/eve...

#TravFest25

ASH TRONOMY - REFLECTIONS REFLECTIONS

The reality of disability benefits from my lived experience, by Ash Cox: An open letter to my friends and colleagues in the arts industry, written and recorded from my bed.

(scroll to the bottom of the page to visit my Insta for the audio version of this letter)

www.ashtronomy.co.uk/reflections

A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny will be BSL Interpreted on Friday 16th May at 7pm, by the wonderful Tracie Redshaw!

Join us at the Waterside, Sale to see how the story unfolds!

watersidearts.org/events/a-not...

#PrideInTrafford #BSL #BSLInterpreted

Next week!

A white trans man with a brown moustache and sideburns, wearing a blonde pigtailed wig, a head mic and a gingham dress. He is clutching a silver bucket, his shoulders are raised and he has wide eyes and a cheeky expression on his face.

A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny premieres at Waterside Arts, #PrideInTrafford from Tue 13 May - Sat 17 May

Join Trans Artist, Hunter King, in his gender journey of self discovery in his brand new uplifting queer parody musical, maid in the Wild, Wild, North West!

watersidearts.org/events/a-not...

We’re excited that our last show of the tour will offer audio description! Come and see our closing night of the Toxic Tour at Arena Theatre 9 May, 7:30pm ✨

Tickets: wlv.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

A white trans man with a brown moustache and sideburns, wearing a blonde pigtailed wig, a head mic and a gingham dress. He is clutching a silver bucket, his shoulders are raised and he has wide eyes and a cheeky expression on his face.

A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny premieres at Waterside Arts, #PrideInTrafford from Tue 13 May - Sat 17 May

Join Trans Artist, Hunter King, in his gender journey of self discovery in his brand new uplifting queer parody musical, maid in the Wild, Wild, North West!

watersidearts.org/events/a-not...

It was a pleasure to work with Vicky and the trainee Audio Describers when we toured @dibbytheatre.bsky.social Toxic to @bradford2025.co.uk

A smoky pink background, the Dibby logo and text: “The show was raw and thought-provoking. In some strange way watching has encouraged me to take a further step into my survivorship.”

A smoky green background, the Dibby logo and text: “I loved the relaxed environment as an alternative to a fully relaxed performance, I felt safe with the house lights on and being told “survival is knowing when to leave” and even the production design wasn’t too overwhelming - whether this is due to the relaxed environment taking the edge off or just the design itself I don’t know, but MORE RELAXED ENVIRONMENT!”

A smoky pink background, the Dibby logo and text: “Very impactful: still thinking about it over a week later."

A smoky green background, the Dibby logo and text: “I wasn’t expecting to be captivated as much as I was. Although the characters and the story was very different to my life I found the performances so engaging and captivating, that I found myself really relating to these characters. The characters and performances where so endearing -even though the subject matter related to heavy issues, that I could sympathise , care and relate to these characters. Thank you.”

The feedback we've received from our Toxic audiences this Spring tour has moved us to tears 💚 A HUGE thank you to everyone who has come to see the show so far.

Next stop on the Toxic tour is Scarborough's @thesjt.bsky.social TOMORROW, 7.45pm!

Full dates and tickets: www.dibbytheatre.org/toxic

A group of people sat on stage smiling and laughing in front of a colourful, brightly lit stage set with pink and grey brickwork.

Cast & team at our post-show discussion last week 💖 TONIGHT we come to @thesjt.bsky.social 7.45pm, followed by a post-show discussion with our cast and Scarborough Pride.

Just 4 venues left of our Spring tour! Come and see our sell-out show while tickets last 👀 www.dibbytheatre.org/toxic

Shrouds with painted text hanging in a line outside with trees in the background. Painted onto them are numerous stories of disabled people's experience with the welfare system.

🎂 We're turning three! Instead of gifts, we’re asking for something bigger: take a stand against the biggest disability benefit cuts in history.

£5 billion a year is on the line—this will devastate independence and living standards.

Take action now: bit.ly/3E9g1kj

An image of two men sat on stage back to back, each holding a microphone. The image features 4 stars and the text: “This passionate, intimate portrayal of queer love, is a laugh out loud play that rags back the shimmer curtain of Pride” NORTH WEST END

An image of two men on stage in front of a colourful set, dancing. The text reads: “It's a play about pride and resilience in the gay community, but also a lesson for everyone to stand up and be themselves.” ROTHERHAM ADVERTISER

A couple of gorgeous reviews from our Sheffield shows! Toxic is currently on tour - tonight we’re at Hat Factory Luton with many more venues coming up ✨

Full dates and tickets: www.dibbytheatre.org/toxic

Still open!

The Big Freelancer Survey has been extended to Monday 21st April so we can hear from even more freelancers.

We’re close to matching last year’s numbers—let’s get there together.

📝 👉 linktr.ee/BigFreelance...
#BigFreelancerSurvey #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Gutted to have missed it!

"PIP is not an out-of-work benefit. But some of the messaging we’ve been hearing has been misleading, linking it to work.". White graphic with a pink checkbox marked with a cross above the text.

Let’s be clear, Personal Independence Payment is not an out-of-work benefit.

Some of the messaging we’ve been hearing has been misleading, linking PIP to work.

A white trans man with a brown mustache and sideburns, wearing a blonde pigtailed wig, a head mic and a gingham dress. He is singing with his eyes closed and his mouth open wide.

Join Trans Artist, Hunter King, in his gender journey of self discovery in his brand new uplifting queer parody musical, maid in the Wild, Wild, North West.

A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny premieres at Waterside Arts, Pride in Trafford this May!

watersidearts.org/events/a-not...

On a designed tile, with a Transforming Leadership workshop photo as background. A participant stands in a bright space holding his arms spread to his side with a surprised expression. The participant wears a dark blue graphic t-shirt where you can read "Keep calm and be creative". In the tile,. the text reads: "Making Work Accessible to learning disabled and autistic professionals", a Q&A icon with speech bubbles followed by "Answers now available at: accessallareasproductions.org"

As promised, we've answered more questions following our 'Making Work Accessible' event and added them to the webpage below, along with more resources.

More to come!

Concerned/confused about Labour's direction on disability. Check out this event:

Social Murder in Labour’s Pathways to Work

Date: 10 apr • 17:30

Location: BR G.78 Brooks Building MMU & Online

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/social-mur...

🚨 LAST CHANCE! 🚨

For five years, The Big Freelancer Survey has built the most detailed picture of arts freelancing. Now, it’s time for the final survey.

Your voice matters. Take 10 minutes & be counted.

📝 linktr.ee/BigFreelance...

#BigFreelancerSurvey #Theatre