Jess Thom on the unsung upside of Tourette Syndrome
British theatre artist Jess Thom has re-framed her involuntary tics as sources of creative spontaneity.
CBC Radio ·
Jess Thom on the upside of Tourette syndrome
9 years ago
Duration 17:18
Artist and performer Jess Thom has made a stage show about living with Tourette's called "Backstage in Biscuit Land". She joins Shad to discuss her stigma-busting show, and how she's re-framed her condition as a source of creative spontaneity.
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Q18:17Jess Thom on the upside of Tourette Syndrome
Jess Thom still remembers crying in a soundbooth after being asked to leave the general audience at a London play. Her Tourette Syndrome makes it hard for her to stay quiet, as involuntary tics — including sounds, words and sharp movements — are a part of her daily life.
Now, five years after vowing she'd never return to the theatre, Thom has found a way to claim the space on her own terms. Her stage show about living with Tourette Syndrome, Backstage in Biscuit Land, has come to Toronto.
Jess Thom mines a misunderstood condition in her stigma-busting stage show, Backstage in Biscuit Land. (Fabiola Carletti/CBC) Today Thom joins Shad to discuss her stigma-busting show, the importance of humour in fostering understanding, and how she's re-framed her condition as a source of creative spontaneity.
WEB EXTRA | Jess Thom is "neurologically incapable" of staying on script — which makes for interesting theatre! Watch glimpses of her stage show below.
LETTERS | We got a ton of great reaction to that interview. Shad and q digital producer Fabiola Carletti read some of it.
Q2:51LETTERS The Upside of Tourette Syndrome
Shad and q producer Fabiola Carletti read reaction to U.K. artist Jess Thom and her half-improvised play, Backstage in Biscuit Land.
