Deaf Gathering: Jo Fong & George Orange: The Rest of Our Lives

This show features integrated BSL interpretation with Katie Fenwick.

The struggle is real.

We’re only at the beginning of the end.

But we’re all still here…

Jo is an old dancer, George an old clown. They are international artists with 100 years of life experience between them. They’ve reached the mid-way point, and now they’re looking at the rest of their lives and wondering, what next?

Armed with a soundtrack of floor-fillers, a book of raffle tickets and a sprinkling of eco-friendly glitter, join them as they negotiate middle-life together with humour, tenderness and outlandish optimism.

Specially commissioned by the Rural Touring Dance Initiative with funding from Arts Council Wales.

Age guidance: 14+. Contains middle-aged themes and strong language.

About the artists

Jo Fong lives in Wales and her creative work reflects the need, in these times, for people to come together. Her artistic practice is an evolving, collaborative approach which puts ideas around belonging or forming community at the forefront. As a director, choreographer and performer recent presentations include An Invitation..., Belonging for Hull Year of Culture, Bridge for Xintiandi Festival Shanghai, and Ways of Being Together for Cardiff Dance Festival 2017 and CAN Festival, London 2020. Jo also works collaboratively with artist Sonia Hughes, most recently in Along These Lines (with Marilou Craft and Alexandra ‘Spicey’ Lande)https://www.facebook.com/alexandra.lande.7/, commissioned by Chapter and LA SERRE for OFFTA, Montreal (and in Cardiff in 2025) and in Neither Here Nor There. She has also worked with Das Clarks for A Brief History of Difference and Marathon of Intimacies with artist Anushiye Yarnell. jofong.com

George Orange is a performance artist, circus performer and director, outdoor theatre maker, former mascot, ex drag performer, creator of Mary Bijou Cabaret and physical theatre teacher. But most of all, and without a doubt, he is a CLOWN. George’s artistic approach is to follow failure towards success, it seems to be working just fine. Jo and George were awarded a grant through The British Council for UK/Viet Nam Season 2023. They’re planning a return to Viet Nam to continue the work with their new friends there. In the meantime, he continues touring his one-man circus show, Man On The Moon, against all medical advice. A couple of years ago he followed his boyhood dream of achieving an academic something. George is now a master of directing circus, George Orange MA, he’s an achiever, he also achieved British Citizenship. George is a lecturer at Circomedia in Bristol. georgeorange.com

Image credit: Alan Smith