Talia Randall
Artist-Writer-Performer
Talia Randall
Artist-Writer-Performer
I make and curate riotous cabaret, bold poetry and joyous theatre. I’ve performed across the UK at the Roundhouse, The Southbank Centre, Wales Millennium Centre, Bristol Old Vic, Glastonbury and The Edinburgh Fringe.
As well as gigging solo I currently run two variety shows that I’m really proud of: Question Time Cabaret ‘a fun, rowdy, political knees up’ and What Words Are Ours? ‘a bold, joyous poetry-cabaret’. My show What Words Are Ours? is particularly connected to my dyslexia as it’s a show about language. The show is also British Sign Language interpreted and features D/deaf poets alongside hearing performers and I feel proud that we’re working to create a more inclusive space for artist and audiences.
If I could offer advice to another Neurodivergent woman, I would tell her; ask for help when you need it, show off about the things you’re good at - it feels good and it breaks the stigma that we’re stupid or lazy, Do. Not. Apologize. For. Being. Different, try to learn what nourishes you and what triggers you and get all the free computers you can!
Finally, remember that we’re part of a wider, political context: I have to recognize that I’m privileged in that I can essentially hide my dyslexia and get away with it – I can ‘pass’ as ‘normal’. Many people on the Neurodiversity spectrum face serious daily stigma because they can’t ‘pass’. So to those of us who ‘pass’ we have a responsibility to chip away at those stigmas and help create environments that are more inclusive for everyone on the Neurodiversity spectrum.
