Take Me Somewhere | Dan Daw (UK/Australia) - EXXY

Co-presented by Tramway and Take Me Somewhere
Part of Take Me Somewhere Festival, 15 to 26 October 

How do you continue to value yourself when society doesn’t value you?  

EXXY (Aussie slang for, ‘that’s expensive, mate’) takes us on an epic and tender journey back to where Dan Daw began – working class, with very little.

Told through a combination of remarkable stagecraft, movement and storytelling, EXXY propels Dan into the spotlight on an audacious and vulnerable quest to live in the world fearlessly.

Joined on stage by three performers who walk and talk like him, watch as Dan finds comfort in the possibility of finally blending in, after a  lifetime of standing out.

Reviews for The Dan Daw Show

“Certainly, Daw’s show is unlike anything else you are likely to see” ★★★★ Guardian

“Unapologetic, vulnerable, brilliant” ★★★★ The Stage”

Recommended for age 14+

Access

A pre-show access table run by Dan Daw Creative Projects Access Team will be available in Tramway foyer from 5pm to 7.45pm, offering drop-in pre-show access services. More detail here.

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This performance has Integrated Closed Captions

This performance will be Audio Described via headsets

A Touch Tour is available at 19:15; email laura@takemesomewhere.co.uk to book onto it.

This performance will have British Sign Language interpretation by Karen Forbes.

There is a Visual Guide detailing the performers here.

Sub Pacs are available from Tramway Box Office. Subpacs are wearable vests that convert sound and bass into vibrations.

This show embraces some elements of a Relaxed Performance. For EXXY, this means that content, sound, or light levels have not been changed, but there is a more relaxed atmosphere for audiences. Including:

• Audiences can leave and re-enter the theatre

• Audiences are welcome to move, tic, stim or make noise

• Integrated warnings for bright light and loud sound

• A pre-show information guide will be available ahead of the performance

• A breakout space will be available pre, during and after the show

• Ear Defenders, Ear Plugs and Dark Glasses will be available to borrow

Sensory Notes:

• There will be some sudden loud noises and sounds. 

• There will be music at the same time as people talking.

• There will be flashing/moving lights.

• There will be a sudden blackout. 

• Haze will be used. 

The performers may make eye contact with you whilst talking and ask a question of the entire audience but will not single out any one person to answer a question.

If you are bringing a guide dog or assistance dog into the performance space, please let us know! 

Visit the Take Me Somewhere Festival Access Page

Content Notes

• Theme of the show: finding a way to value yourself when society doesn’t. Explored; ideas around self-worth, self-doubt, community, resilience, self-acceptance.

• Dan communicates to the audience and you can choose whether to respond or not.

• There will be discussion of upsetting topics - these are all handled with sensitivity, and the intention is to raise awareness and care, rather than to shock or upset.

• The show is made up of several short dance pieces, including solos, duets and a group performance. 

• One of the performers briefly speaks in Spanish and then French.

Content warnings

• Loud Noises

• Bright, intense and/or flashing lighting effects

• Flashing/moving images and video

• Sudden and rapid movement of objects around the stage, towards audience 

• Coins

• Total black out

• Reflection on being let down by medical services

• Feeling/description of being othered

• Excessive and up-close drool or spit

• Haze

• Descriptions of sexual experiences

• Reaching physical exhaustion

• Scenes that can be interpreted as the performers being in pain

• Thinking back to childhood experiences

• Swearing

• Tattoos

Credits

Co-commissioned by Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, Battersea Arts Centre, Transform, Take Me Somewhere and Tramway for the New Dimensions commission. Additionally co-commissioned by Fabric, Kampnagel, Sadlers Wells, SICK! Festival and Les Halles.

Supported by Arts Council England and Cockayne 10th Anniversary Grants for the Arts. R&D supported by an Unlimited Strategic Award 2023.

Co-produced by Battersea Arts Centre.

Photo of Dan Daw by Hugo Glendinning