Deafinitely Theatre returns to Shakespeare’s Globe to perform a brand new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in British Sign Language

Deafinitely Theatre will return to the Globe to perform a brand new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in British Sign Language from 2 – 7 June.

Directed by Paula Garfield, designed by Paul Burgess and composed by Philippa Herrick, this new interpretation of Shakespeare’s comedy promises to be physically compelling and glitteringly inventive.

Deafinitely Theatre proved popular on Bankside when they first performed at Shakespeare’s Globe in 2012 with their production of Love’s Labour’s Lost – the first ever full length Shakespeare play performed in British Sign Language. The production was a part of the Globe to Globe Festival which saw all of Shakespeare’s 37 plays performed in 37 languages. Paula Garfield, who co-directed Love’s Labour’s Lost and director of A Midsummer Night’s Dream said:

“We all, including all of the actors, felt so privileged to be invited back. The deaf community, both in England and internationally, are so excited about it. It’s a huge boost to our culture and our language.   This is something that says we are of value. Someone said to me summer feels more positive already because of this forthcoming production.’

The cast is Alim Jayda (Puck), Ace Mahbaz (Theseus/ Oberon), Nadia Nadarajah (Hippolyta/ Titania), Anna-Maria Nabirye (Fairy), Adam Bassett (Lysander), Fifi Garfield (Hermia), Lee Robertson (Demetrius), Charlotte Arrowsmith (Helena), David Sands (Bottom), Ralph Bogard (Peter Quince) and Jason Taylor (Francis Flute).

Established in 2002 Deafinitely Theatre is an independent, professional company led by Deaf people with an aim to build a bridge between Deaf and hearing worlds by performing to both groups as one audience. Funded by Arts Council England, they create productions in British Sign Language (BSL) and English, which can be understood by everyone, and yet retain BSL as the leading language.  As well as presenting work by canonical writers, Deafinitely aims for untold stories from the Deaf community to be performed on the stage and encourages deaf people to create their own plays through an annual playwriting competition. The company have performed at the Soho Theatre, the Tricycle, Southwark Playhouse and Stratford Circus.

ENDS

Monday 2 June, 7.30pm
Tuesday 3 June, 2pm
Friday 6 June, 7.30pm
Saturday 7 June, 2pm

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Story Day for ages 6+
Saturday 31 May at 11am and 2pm
Globe Education and Deafinitely Theatre offer young audiences the chance to experience the magic of the stories being told on the Globe stage, accessible to both deaf and hearing audiences. Tickets £15 (1 Child & 1 Adult), Additional tickets £8 each.

Shakespeare Found in Translation
Friday 6 June, 6-7pm
Members of the creative team share insights into the process of translation in the Nancy Knowles Lecture Theatre. Tickets are free but must be booked at the box office.

Shakespeare’s Globe booking information
Phone +44 (0) 20 7401 9919
In person Mon-Sat 10am-6pm (8pm on performance days)
Sundays 10am-5pm (7pm on performance days)
Online shakespearesglobe.com
Tickets £5 – £42 (Globe Theatre) £10 – £60 (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse)

• The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse: Shakespeare’s Globe is in the final stages of fundraising for the new indoor Jacobean theatre, which opened in January 2014 with The Duchess of Malfi.
• Globe Education presents a year-round programme of workshops, lectures, events and family theatre, UK and international outreach projects for schools and learning groups, Higher Education courses, pioneering digital resources and cutting-edge research.
• Globe Exhibition & Tour is open to the public all year and explores the life of Shakespeare, the London where he lived, and the theatre for which he wrote.
• Globe on Tour: The Globe’s productions tour extensively in the UK and internationally.
• Globe On Screen: Shakespeare’s Globe returns to cinemas in early 2014, bringing 2013’s season of triumphs to cinemas worldwide from April. Globe On Screen 2014 will feature The Tempest, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, all captured ‘live’ in high definition.
• Globe Shop stocks a variety of products, including theatre season specific merchandise. All profits go towards supporting our educational mission.  
• The Swan Bar and Restaurant and the Foyer Café Bar are open all year round for reservations and events.  
• The Shakespeare Globe Trust is a registered charity No. 266916. Shakespeare’s Globe receives no regular public subsidy.