A brand-new accessible theatre show has its premiere at Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre next month, before further performances at Pontio in Bangor. Billed as a sharp and stylised glimpse into an authoritarian, dystopian future, producers Taking Flight Theatre say Martha will be an immersive experience, packed with humour and untold histories.
Join us in an unpredictable future and grab yourself a spot inside Martha’s for an evening of unapologetically Deaf culture made accessible to all - just be sure that you weren’t followed, we wouldn’t want the resistance to be compromised. Or are we already too late?
It’s 2055 and the Programme has driven Deafness underground. Using Sign Language is forbidden and is a radical act of protest, evoking suspicion and oppression. For this excluded minority and their allies, Martha’s cabaret club is a welcome home. To the government, it’s a safe haven for potential terrorists. But is something else going down at Martha’s, something altogether more unsettling?
A cast of six professional performers (5 Deaf, 1 hearing) bring this searing new drama to life. Fully accessible throughout, the action plays out in BSL, spoken English and Sign Supported English, which follows English grammatical patterns and is used by actors who also say what they are signing . Any unspoken dialogue will be seen via creative captions and accessible to Blind and partially sighted audiences via headsets. The show will also feature integrated audio description.
Martha co-writer, BSL Director and Assistant Stage Director Steph Bailey Scott said:
“We’re really excited to finally share Martha with audiences in Cardiff and Pontio. Thanks to initial funding from Unlimited, we’ve developed a drama that truly puts Deaf stories front and centre. If you ask most people to name a Deaf person, they can probably name Rose Aisling Elis or Helen Keller, but nobody else – it’s not uncommon for Deaf people to struggle to think of other names too. We wanted to stage a show that not only made audiences think about Deaf futures, but could also raise awareness of the amazing contributions Deaf people have made throughout history. During our research for the play we discovered so many Deaf heroes from throughout history – from Princess Alice of Battenburg, who sheltered Jews during the second world war to Kitty O’Neill, stuntwoman for Lynda Carter in Wonder Woman. Using a clandestine cabaret club as a starting point, we’ve been able to weave all these brilliant stories into the play. These set pieces also allow the actors an opportunity to really show the audience how glorious a language BSL is for performance. I can’t wait for people to see it!”
Director Elise Davison explained:
“We’re delighted to be presenting Martha in association with Sherman Theatre and touring to Pontio in Bangor. Both theatres are committed to improving access for both audiences and visiting companies, we’re delighted to be sharing this Deaf centred production with their audiences - and with such an incredible cast and creative team! I can’t wait to get started in rehearsals”.
Wales’s leading professional accessible theatre company, Taking Flight has brought together the talents of award-winning actor and Visual Vernacular performer, filmmaker & BSL consultant Duffy, who recently taught BSL to the hearing cast members of BBC’s Reunion, Bea Webster (peeling/Taking Flight, RSC, National Theatre Scotland), Cherie Gordon (BBC’s Reunion, Deafinitely Theatre, Graeae Theatre), Amy Helena (National Theatre of Scotland, Taking Flight), Eben James (Theatr Clwyd, Cwmni Fran Wen, Taking Flight) and Rhiannon May, who was the first Deaf actor to have a regular role on a UK primetime Tv programme, performing for 4 seasons in Silent Witness. As well as integrated audio description, the production features creative captions designed by leading Deaf graphic designer, Ben Glover.
Martha by Taking Flight Theatre previews at Sherman Theatre from 13th June, running until Saturday 21st June before transferring to Pontio in Bangor, 25-26th June. Tickets are priced from £10. The show is recommended for ages 14+, and is fully accessible to Deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted people. All Taking Flight Theatre productions aim to reduce the traditional barriers to theatre enjoyment.
This production has been created with financial support from Unlimited, Arts Council of Wales, Lloyds Bank Foundation and the Forresters Family Foundation. Martha is co-written by Elise Davison and Stephanie Bailey Scott. It is designed by Carl Davies, with lighting design by Garrin Clarke and sound design by Dan Lawrence.