When was the Last Time You Felt Like All the Air had been Sucked Out of You? 

Experience the work live - Enter a space of joy, connection, empathy and creativity with performance, sound and projection being generated before your very eyes. Yet for disabled artist Hugh, something doesn’t feel right. As a performer, used to being the centre of attention, the spotlight of a lonely, discriminating and relentless assessment process seems to be too much. Memories of these ‘tests of worth’ clash with the here and now, threatening to overwhelm Hugh’s identity.

Whether you are right in the middle, like a mosh pit of creative expression, shift either side of the fourth wall or more conventionally from the outside looking in, Squeeze Box demands a response from all in the room – the question is, with a system requiring even more ticking of boxes, what space is left for humanity?

The space will be open from noon, with the invitation to come and go and experience/interact with (workshop) projection, soundscaping and creativity along the themes of identity and how we care for one another.

All proceeds go to help MakeTank support more local independent artists.

Audience feedback 

‘Love how open it is to interpretation. As an audience we are always thinking’

 ‘Something about the space I just wanted to play and get involved’

 ‘Really thought provoking. incredible work’   

Have you seen the work and had a afterthought? We would love to read about your feelings, opinions and get your take on Squeeze Box in MakeTank.

Black and white image of 3 people talking in a creative space

Squeeze Box has been on an epic journey, working with amazing people and spaces. The work has transformed with play and collaboration. Continue reading to learn about how R&D brought our concept to life

Multiple heads are projected on the wall of a barn, with the live person in their wheelchair looking at the screen. The words 'let us fix you' are also on the wall.

Created and performed by: Hugh Malyon, Steve Sowden and Tim Dollimore

Performed with BSL by: Emma Jane Heap

Dramaturgical support by: Sam Parker and Jennifer Noice

Produced by: Shelley Hodgson

Artistic Support and Access Consultant by: Clair Sargeant

…with support from Quarantine and Filament

Associate Artist:

Susan Norton-turner

Special Thanks to:

Outside eyes and Friends: Amy Mellows, Erin Walcon, Fran Daykin

Daisy Mai Higman and Ruby Woods - Access Consultant 

Film & documentation; Tristan Albon

Support and Brilliance with the workshops in Manchester: Winona Guy

Everyone who came on the 1st - your support and feedback was invaluable

Technical support from The Media Workshop & QED Productions

Susan Norton-turner’s See the able, Not the Label exhibition daube in an art gallery during Squeeze Box’s takeover in MakeTank

3 images of clothes hanging in the window, photos of people on a platform and a table with acessories on.

The work focuses on/celebrates neurodiversity & was a positive supplement to Squeeze Box, which is rooted in lived experience of physical disability.