Communication and Performance in a Bilingual (BSL and English) Context Michael Richardson

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Deaf people participate in theatre to a lesser extent than might be expected. This paper presents early findings from a practice-based research project designed to explore ways of making theatre that might support an increase in participation. Over a week, applied theatre techniques were used by a mixed group of Deaf and hearing actors with the aim of producing short pieces of theatre that communicate effectively to both Deaf and hearing audiences. During the week the lead researcher acted as both facilitator and participant observer. At the end of the week the finished work was shown to both Deaf and hearing audiences, and their feedback ascertained during focus group interviews. This paper presents results from two parts of the study: the theatrical product itself, and the process of creating that product. Results from the audience focus groups are not yet available. The results suggest that the creation of genuine accessibility, in other words successful communication, in a bilingual performance is dependent on an effective working process; and that the latter is easily and sometimes instinctively compromised by the inter-related issues of power, identity and language ideology.
Michael Richardson is a PhD Candidate at Heriot-Watt University. His research interest is the participation of Deaf people in theatre, as both actors and spectators. He adopts a multidisciplinary approach, drawing on the fields of Performance Studies, Deaf Cultural Studies, and Translation and Interpreting Studies. He has previously worked as a theatre director, with a particular focus in youth theatre and other forms of applied drama; and as a Communication Support Worker for Deaf students in Further Education.
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