A THEATRE company which works with disabled actors has changed its identity.

Huddersfield-based Full Body and the Voice will now be known as Dark Horse.

Artistic Director Vanessa Brooks said they’ve made the change to reflect a movement onto the national stage and to reflect the ambitions and artistic output of its members.

On the change of identity, she said: “Following the acclaimed national tour of Hypothermia in 2010/11 it became increasingly clear that a new, accessible and memorable identity was needed.

“Full Body and the Voice had a childlike connotation rooted in a past.

“The re-brand to Dark Horse should show that the company has left those things behind: Dark Horse is an exciting, pioneering company which produces original, compelling and often gritty high-level touring theatre pitched towards general, adult audiences and this is how we wish to be seen.”

The company is represented by adults in their mid to late 20s and early 30s who developed through Full Body and have grown in stage presence and experience.

Those behind the company formed Dark Horse with the aim of it being a national touring theatre company which premieres new writing.

It will continue to feature an ensemble of learning disabled actors. Non-learning disabled actors from the broader industry are also cast in tours.

Vanessa said the work would appeal to a broad, general and adult audience and that the company’s work has a “reputation for surprise, innovation and the ability to reverse expectation in powerful and challenging ways”.

Cast members have toured nationally, performed on stage at the LBT and even made an appearance in TV show Shameless.

The company also delivers formal actor training for people with learning disabilities, which is now highly affiliated to the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts.

Full Body and the Voice began in 1998 as a social care project for people with learning disabilities to explore drama.

Following the appointment of established playwright and director Vanessa Brooks as Artistic Director in 2008, the company has moved from collaboration with established theatres to become independent producers.

They’re now busy planning the premiere of Harvest, a new play by Vanessa, at Lawrence Batley Theatre in June 2012, and have a national tour planned for spring 2013.