During a 25-year international career, British conductor Charles Hazlewood has led many of the world’s top orchestras. A few years ago, it struck him that he had never seen musicians with a disability among their ranks. So, in 2012 he co-founded The British Paraorchestra – a large-scale professional ensemble for musicians with a disability.

The Nature of Why at Perth Festival. Photo © Toni Wilkinson

Based in Bristol, The British Paraorchestra made a triumphant debut at the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 London Paralympics. Its many performances since then have included an appearance at the 2016 Glastonbury Festival. It has now made its Australian debut at the Perth Festival with a unique, immersive concert called The Nature of Why.

Presented in the Heath Ledger Theatre of the State Theatre Centre of WA, the Perth performances featured eight roving musicians from The British Paraorchestra, accompanied by 10 string players from the Perth Symphony Orchestra, two sopranos and four dancers, with the audience joining them on stage rather than sitting in the auditorium.

The Nature of Why at Perth Festival. Photo © Toni Wilkinson

Co-directed by Hazlewood and Melbourne-based...