The District
Set in a tower block community, in a dystopian future, a ruling authority has declared all music a threat to society. Unbowed, the residents of The District come together, to rediscover music and to make a change for good that will resonate far beyond their lone tower block.
The District is a love letter to music. The production will highlight the particular importance of music in the creative lives of learning disabled and Autistic people and is inspired by the collective experience of the Covid-19 lockdown and life in a post-pandemic world.
The District's book is written by Becky Newbould, Simon Grainger and Cross The Sky, with original music and lyrics by Simon Grainger, with an exclusive contribution from Torquil Campbell of Canadian indie rock band Stars.
Like previous Cross the Sky productions, this work is informed by the lived experiences of Cross the Sky’s performers.
This premiere performance of The District is part of ArtWorks Together, an international festival, offering adult artists who have a learning disability, are autistic or both, the opportunity to showcase their talents to the entire world, gaining the recognition they deserve.
If you need to book a step free or wheel chair space, please contact our Box Office on 01226 327000.
Cross the Sky Theatre Company
Cross the Sky is Barnsley Civic's very own theatre company for autistic and learning-disabled adults living in Barnsley and the wider South West Yorkshire area and has been part of Barnsley Civic since 2015 but has been running for nearly 25 years.
Our fifteen performers are led by Artistic Director Rebekah Newbould and Musical Director Simon Grainger. The group devise their own original musical theatre productions, inspired by autistic culture and our performers’ lived experiences as disabled people.
