Castle Players - Signing the Way
This year’s summer production of Twelfth
Night will include an important first for the Castle Players - a British Sign
Language (BSL) integrated performance on Wednesday 5th July.
This will differ from the usual method
of signing a performance where the interpreter simply stands to one side of the
stage. With integrated signing, the interpreter appears in costume and moves
with the actors as part of the performance.
Professional BSL interpreter, Caroline
Ryan, will work with the company in advance to enable her to integrate her
signing into the action of the play. Some members of Castle Players worked with
Ms Ryan last year when they performed in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s
production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Ms Ryan has worked with numerous
professional theatre companies around the country, and Jill Cole, director of
this year’s Castle Players’ production, was eager for her to work with the
Twelfth Night cast.
“Accessibility is about so many things,”
said Ms Cole, “and I hope by including a signed performance of Twelfth Night it
will enable people who are British Sign Language users to enjoy the production.
I have seen how signing can become part of the performance and am very much
looking forward to working with Caroline.”
Ms Ryan said, “I'm delighted to be
invited to work with the Castle Players again, especially as they were a great
bunch to work with and made me feel so welcome. Translating Shakespeare's
text into British Sign Language, although daunting, is a wonderfully enjoyable
process that can add a new layer and texture to the storytelling.”
Twelfth Night plays from Tuesday 4th-
Saturday 8th July in the grounds of the Bowes Museum, Barnard
Castle. BSL Integrated signed performance Wednesday 5th July
Tickets on general sale:
online www.thewitham.org.uk
phone: 01833 631107
in person at The Witham, Barnard
Castle
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