No Fairytale follows blind and sighted creatives as they unite to stage a groundbreaking opera in Perth, Western Australia. Led by blind writer Zel, sighted director Kat, and blind actress Grace, the team boldly adapts Tchaikovsky’s Iolante, a tale of a blind princess. As their World Premiere approaches, a looming plague threatens to derail their plans. Overcoming cultural biases and production obstacles, the artists rally together to deliver a performance that challenges stereotypes and redefines inclusivity. No Fairytale is an inspiring story of resilience, creativity, and the power of diverse voices in the arts.
Zel Iscel, born blind, migrated to Australia from Turkey aged six. Graduating in Politics and Government in 2003, she delved into disability advocacy. She designed training to tackle family violence in marginalized communities for Women’s Health & Family Service. She has amplified marginalized voices through her role at the National Ethnic Disability Alliance and as a radio presenter and producer. She lived in London for 2 years where she was introduced to audio described theatre and now consults on it. Co-adapting “Iolante” for WA Opera, she pioneered its portrayal of blindness. Zel chairs Blind Citizens WA, serves on the DADAA Board, and is a director for Rights & Inclusion Australia. Through her consultancy “Inclusive World,” she offers disability awareness training, event consultation, HR coaching on disability employment, and website accessibility testing. With skills in public speaking and project management, Zel is primed to challenge misconceptions about inclusion in the arts.