I feel compelled to write a blog about tomorrow night. My character, Amy will be making her appearance in Life’s Too Short and I am really excited. Not only because I proud to be part of Life’s Too Short (LTS) but because I am curious to see the response. As someone with dwarfism (LP) and also someone who has thought lots about my body politics, I normally, avoid ‘dwarf roles’and have stayed clear of stereotypes. So why would I be in Life’s Too Short, you’d be asking in a puzzled fashion..
Well… what I loved about the script of Life’s Too Short, is that the world that can’t cope with difference, is given a giant middle finger. Yes, even a small difference like height, reaps lots of negative comments and attention in our community and I decided it was high time we laughed at it. The ridiculousness of it all. Not the ridicule of Warwick Davis, which some people have confused as being the point of focus…
It is a heightened cruelty in the world in which Warwick Davis’ character lives in LTS. But is it really? Do you remember the news this year that England’s Rugby Team, was dwarf tossing in NZ? How much outrage was there from the community in response to this? Not much or certainly not as much as there should have been. Yet, a few feathers get ruffled because Warwick (a business man and successful actor in real-life) makes a gag of getting in a bin and highlighting society’s inequity as part of the course… So how cruel is the real world then compared to the pretend? And isn’t Warwick just poking fun at the truth, that our society is shallow and needs to look at itself and giggle at its foibles and maybe change?
Comedy is truth and I hate to say it, in this industry, of which I have worked for 10 years, successfully avoiding cliché’ – although we all have our price; I feel I need to mention this in case one day I am offered my price and do sell-out – I have seen it all.
I have heard one of the producers from the film Jaws, complain that the “Midget” used in the cage scene was a waste of money because he had a panic attack whilst diving with a shark and had to be brought to the surface, setting production back and requiring post traumatic stress support. I have seen talent buried in costumes, disabled comedians prevented from comedy panel shows, because their “disability in a live situation could unnerve other comics”. I have seen the safety and dignity of performers disregarded, diversity sidelined to tokenism. Reports filtering back from the latest diversity awards ceremony would indicate embarrassingly so…
I think Life’s Too Short humanises diversity. Warwick is a lead role in essentially a self-devised concept based sitcom. He is funny, fallible, vulnerable, a dick, clever and too proud for his own good. In short, he is human.
In regards to ideas that the show has a negative impact on the representation of people with dwarfism, I disagree. Shows which have lead to my direct ridicule on the street are productions where the little person is voiceless, a side kick with a catch phrase or a mini me type version of the main star. “The plane the plane”, “Mini Me”, “Ding dong the witch is dead”, “Hi Ho” etc… have been yelled at me in daily life… but never a quote from Time Bandits… why because they were cool! They were characters in their own right with ideas and were diverse from each other, individuals.
What I find offensive is the English Rugby team dwarf tossing in NZ. That’s de-humanising, cliche’ and shameful ridicule, turning different types of people literally into objects of sport! And putting lives at risk. Or that most of our representation is through documentary, where the disabled person is passively observed. Without a balance in front or behind the camera in an active and (paid) role. *
What you’ll see in my episodes coming up, is touchingly human.
Although people might feel uncomfortable with the way Warwick’s character gets treated sometimes… maybe their discomfort is really with the way LP’s (or anyone with a disability/difference) gets treated in our society. Maybe the joke in on society… and not on Warwick Davis… and a shake up has long been over due. Warwick’s character is brilliantly human and flawed.
Where I do feel uncomfortable as a person with dwarfism is that it is true, the not reaching door bells and asking a stranger who responds rudely. Access to buttons, doors, atms. Actually falling out of my car (although it isn’t as big). Tumbling off highstools in bars, climbing onto furniture elegantly in a short skirt trying to retain some dignity as a woman who doesn’t want to flash the world her knickers. And the rude people in society, filming me with mobile phones and making comments, while I’m minding my own business existing. But, just because the truth is close to the bone isn’t a reason to shut down to the humour in it.
That’s art, comedy, theatre, drama… it holds a mirror up to the real world and says, ‘look at yourself’. And people are talking about the show, leading to more awareness. And remember we are professional actors, employed for our skill and knowledge, not passively being observed or followed around or bullied into filming scenes we didn’t want to film. We were part of the creative process.
Falling over is part of life, it is certainly part of the disabled experience and people with dwarfism fall over too…
I became an actress to explore the human experience and whether you think LTS does that in a humorous way or not is down to you. This is the first ‘dwarf’ character I have felt confident to play with no need to return the script with a note attached to the producer, politely explaining why I found it so offensive.
In fact when I read Amy’s first recounting to Warwick of a date she’d once had, it was so well, written and eerily close to a real-life experience of my own, I had to wonder how Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant had managed to write the experience so honestly from their own imaginations.
Hope you enjoy the next 3 episodes
Kiruna
If you’re interested in seeing the episode http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017cj76
Hi Kiruna
I am really glad you have posted this article. This is exactly what I have been trying to get across to other people but I think sometimes the type of humour used is misunderstood.
Annie
Good blog – just one thing weakens your argument a tad – “Do you remember the news this year that England’s Rugby Team, was dwarf tossing in NZ?” – no because they didn’t – they were found at a bar where that had happened before – but not while they were there.
You can’t rely on journalists, but that doesn’t stop them and the media approach to Life’s too short – and the short life – proving that they and the Rugby team are a bunch of tossers.
Well, no, because it still supports my claim of a cruel social acceptance towards the mistreatment of people with dwarfism. That is. when the report was thought to be true, there was minimal social outcry and protest. Showing in my opinion a complacent acceptance towards the issue.
However on the accuracy of the original reporting of the issue I appreciate your clarifaction but in the context of my argument my summation remains.
And the fact remains the activity exists in developed countries and people still pay to see it.
Hi Kiruna
Thank you so much for this article, I have been watching LTS and have enjoyed it, although sometimes some of the situations (esp the one where Warwick is put in the bin) have made me uncomfortable, not because I’m offended but because the writing is so good it reminds me of how badly society treats people who are deemed ‘different’. It is a brave series and I hope that it helps to break down barriers. I can’t wait to see you in the coming episodes.
Georgina xx
Well, maybe I’m biased but I can’t wait to see it. You pitch your opinion on it bang on. Really looking forward to seeing your debut as Amy. Nice one. ; )xx
Hi kiruna
I’m from NZ and breifly heard about this on the news thought it was shocking that idiocy like that went on in my country. I guess arrogance can be found every where. I thought it was a brilliant little read from the perspective of a LP other than warrick who people assume must defend it because it’s his show. I think the fact warricks character has no real respect for his own people then in turn he doesn’t gain respect from others. By exploiting his people he makes it acceptable for others to exploit him. At the very least I think it sends the message that it’s society as a whole that allows this to go on and like you said LTS reflects the mistreatment of LP in society it’s not as if Rick n Steve made up cruel ways to exploit dwarves it actually happens. Instead of getting mad at a show maybe people should get mad that society makes it possible for a show to accurately capture the bizzare mistreatment of LP. Because the irony is if real cameras were following LP in the entertainment industry the real life doco would match up quite closely to the mockumentary.
Fantastic Blog, I’ve loved every episode so far but I am slowly getting tired of trying to explain that the humour in the program is aimed at the ridiculous, arrogant side of Warwick’s personality and the opinions/prejudice of the characters surrounding him and the way they interact with him. I think from now on I’ll just direct them to your blog and that should quieten the ‘offended’
Kiruna. Thank you for your blog. I understand your justification for appearing in life’s too short. After all you are an actress who has chosen to appear in this programme. However I disagree with the programme you have put your name to. We can all laugh at ourselves and the challenges that life throws at us, short or tall. However this programme crosses a line. The article which was written so well in The Independent this week sums it up well for me. I wish you and Warwick every success and hope that the Bbc will open up more mainstream roles that do not make mockery out of anyone’s disability.
Here is a link to the Independent’s article, it is worth a read as a well written counter-point.
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/lifes-too-short-bbc2-thursday-to-the-manor-reborn-bbc1-thursday-6268423.html
My personal view and blog is written from my own perspective (I identify as being a disabled artist and activist) and with 30 years of experience living with dwarfism, although I appreciate the points made I disagree and feel it is coming from an ableist point of view, which reads the dwarfed body as inherently tragic, thus assuming Warwick and all LPs can only be viewed by himself and others as tragic and thus all readings of the humour are interpreted from this view, that Warwick must be victimised or the butt of the jokes.
However I do encourage you all to read it to see a counter argument, that I agree is well written. My only criticism is that is is coming from an ableist perspective.
PS I know a lot of tall actors who would stand in a toilet for Johnny Depp… he says jump and the joke is ‘how high?’.
Thanks Kiruna. Appreciate you taking the time to reply:
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/terence-blacker/terence-blacker-comedy-no-better-than-a-victorian-freak-show-6272820.html
I didn’t post the article I was referring to, so here it is for others to read too. Thanks again for your time. Best Wishes, Kristina.
When you first referenced The Independent I had assumed it was the link I posted above, which presents a better counter-argument to my own. However, I am disappointed that this is the article to which you refer. I find the tone and manner in which it is written highly offensive and prejudiced.
In my opinion it represents a non-disabled agenda and is riddled with anxieties about difference. To assume a show is equivalent to a Victorian Freak Show, because it has dwarves in it and that the dwarves can only be being laughed at, negates our entire experience as humanbeings and suggests it doesn’t matter what we say or do, we can only be interpreted as victims. It dismisses the context, content and mode of production of the series and script, all very important as the participants are active creators.
It also ignores that I have had access to an excellent education, that I am informed about my life and have had other career options and opportunities assuming low social expectations have lead me to follow a career as an exhibited or exploited dwarf for public display and ridicule. My intelligence and ability to choose a role or production is also not considered. How limited to imply that I am passively exhibiting myself to be merely starred at, judged on the basis of my funny disfigured body! Again it is a non-disabled view.
None of this is inherant in the script of filming of Life’s Too Short, this anxiety is socially driven and impossed by some as their reading upon the production. Because when they hear ‘dwarf’ they think tragic, powerless objects of pity ‘freak’.
I nor any of the other actors involved were passive or exploited, in the way we would have been in the Victorian age. Such a negative attitude towards difference is expressed by the journalist here, not to mention his misunderstanding of the concept of political correctness, which is about seeing the human/person first… not exploitation of difference or the suppression of debate and discussion.
The multiple representations of different characters with dwarfism show that there is no stereotype and their is a variety of human experience explored as in all good comedy and drama. The show is also about relationships, money, society, the acting business… it is not a penny per view sideshow.
I will conclude by recommending a book, which I hope you find helpful, especially as a mother to a recently diagonosed child with dwarfism. I hope you don’t mind me mentioning it but it was in the article you wrote for the Guardian. However, I feel it is pertinent, as your own personal experience is going to be very different to your child’s and you are seeing society in a new way and it is very early in your experience of this.
You come with the knowledge and experience of a woman of average height, like my own parents do. As much as I love them they will never truly understand my experience because for them, they have a child who ‘isn’t’ tall (with no ill judgement intended). Whereas, I am a woman who has ‘always’ been short. This makes a big difference to how one views the world.
As I have gotten older, they too have had to address their own anxieties… will she get married, will she find an ordinary job, will she meet more discrimination. They have fielded bizarre and rude comments on the street and from friends and for years were the frontline of my experience of prejudice. It is not an easy job and I admire you openness to take it on.
Now the difference is, that while I have also faced these anxieties about my future just like my parents… I’ve not experienced their experience of ‘normalcy’. Normal (to a degree I know this doesn’t really exist) was their experience until their child was ‘different’. And so your POV comes from a non-disabled perspective also, until time and experience will introduce you to new ideas and challenges and may reshape your thinking.
Please read… Betty M. Adelson. Lives of Dwarfs; Their Journey from Public Curiosity Toward Social Liberation it is the only book which really acurately portrays the experience and interestingly enough it is written by a mother of a daughter with dwarfism. It also includes a wonderful history of dwarfism throughout the ages and you may see, once reading this book… why I felt proud to be a part of Life’s Too Short and why I believe it is making a positive difference to how people with dwarfism are seen.
I won’t take any further comments on this issue as I have said my piece and people know my position. I am also working on a wonderful play at the moment and need to keep my head in that… The Lost Happy Endings in Birmingham at the mac… please come along. Suitable for children 4+.
Thanks Kiruna. I really appreciate your reply. I have the book you refer to and have found it very insightful. I could give you some of the extracts that I have found insightful but it would be a contrary argument to that of yours. Out of respect to your blog and your view it is probably not the right place here to continue the debate. After all we both see differently and we could go on and on. Hopefully we will meet face to face one day and chat in person. I am sure I can learn a lot from your perspective. I can respect we have a different view on this programme. Thanks for the invite to the theatre, would love to watch you live, my children are 3 and under so we have opted for the snowman at the birminghm rep. All the best. Kind regards. Kristina.
H Kiruna!
Congratulations! I just saw the episode you are in! Well done! Great Scene!
About your blog: Brilliant! I think people still don’t know how to address disability issues, that’s why there is loads of criticism about the show. Throwing dwarfs in a bar is a totally different thing then make a parody about being a dwarf. We, society, laugh when we see The Inbetweeners (specially men) because we all know how is to be a virgin teenager who puts himself in the most ridiculous situations in order to get the person of our dreams attention – we’ve all been there. but we don’t know how is to be a dwarf or a disable person living in a world that is not design for minority groups. Because of that we don’t know how to react in order not to offend anybody.
Through my experience has an actor, I keep seeing fictional Warwick every time I do a film or a TV show – the actor who’s desperate to do any kind of work for a good amount of money or for fame, but in a normal body. I know a lot of actors who would jump in to a bin if Helena Bonham Carter asked them to or do a Lord of The Dance routine whilst Johnny Depp plays the recorder. I just see a brilliant actor – Warwick Davis -using his characteristics and skills playing an unpleasant character so well that he makes me believe that someone that idiotic exists. I don’t laugh because he is a dwarf, I laugh because of the situations he puts himself in. The character can always say no, but decides to embarrass himself because of the status he thinks he has. He is a man, but he decides to be an acting career – and not a good one.
Hope to see you soon.
xxx
Kiruna, as an average height parent of a dwarf (yes, I really DID just say that word!! Shock Horror) I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to you for this blog, it explains exactly how I have felt about the series ever since the first episode was aired and I really do wish others could get past their initial feeling that they *should* be offended and actually see the series for what it is, which I think you very accurately described as giving the unaccepting world a giant middle finger!! Whilst I do not find the series funny (never been a fan of Ricky, sorry!) I do not find it offensive and I am able to watch it knowing that it is not the dwarves that are being riduled, it is the other people’s reactions to and treatment of them so for that, Ricky does deserve praise and recognition. Whilst I am aware that it has caused much negativity I would like to point out that my own personal experience is one of positivity, people I hardly know have contacted me and shown interest in my daughters condition, people I have known for years have come forward and asked if we really do see such ignorance and if so, whether there is anything they can do to prevent it, my sons friends have opened up to him and discussed his condition and how he feels etc, infact the only negativity I have received as a direct result to this series is from the restricted growth community itself – that, to me speaks volvumes!!!
Excellent blog post. I love Life’s Too Short. Your character is brilliant and played extremely well. Warwick Davis is a great actor & I love his character with all it’s flaws.
One of my all-time favourite books is ‘Maybe the Moon’ by Armistead Maupin, and Life’s too Short reminds me of that, obviously because the main character is a dwarf and an aspiring actor facing much the same challenges and prejudices. I wish you would get in touch with Armistead and persuade him that you would be a perfect Cadence Roth if they ever make a film of the book! I so hope they do one day.
I met a dwarf at a train station the other week, who was working at a coffee shop. And not once did I toss him. I didn’t even go so far as to ask if LTS is how “his lot” really are. And I owe it all to you guys. Hopefully this show will do for little people what My Fat Gypsy Wedding has done for gypsies. As much as it embarrasses me to admit it, I used to think they were Irish.
Hi Kiruna,
I love you on LTS I think you are such a good actor like AMAZING (emphasis on amazing) you rule!
Alex