Deaf Power - What a blast!
Sat, 4 Dec 1999, 09:35 amGrant Malcolm1 post in thread
Deaf Power - What a blast!
Sat, 4 Dec 1999, 09:35 amRecently the ITA was forced to cancel a workshop by mime specialist Rae Gibson. What a shame!
I had the pleasure of watching Rae's group Deaf Power Theatre Company perform yesterday in Forrest Chase as part of the celebrations for the International Day of People with a disAbility.
Deaf Power were originally scheduled to perform three short items in a 90 minute programme. But, by popular demand, they came back in the closing minutes of the programme to present a fourth short sketch.
The first item was a detailed mime of a person waking up in the morning, with all the props played by live mime artists. A shower faucet, that really worked, kept dropping down as our hapless protaganist was trying to perform his morning ablutions. He kept scaring himself with his reflection in the bathroom mirror. The humour was largely slapstick in nature, but performed without any dialogue and a precision that held a large lunchtime crowd spellbound by a silent performance.
The second was another short sketch that saw our hero return after work and retire to the lounge to watch TV. All the action on the mimed television set was provided by live actors. Once again the clarity of gesture achieved by the company clearly and strongly conveyed the storyline. The finale was a magnicicent mimed rendition of "I Love the Night Life". The choreography may not have been terribly flash, but simple costumes and energetic performances from a cast that signed their way through the song made this a real crowd-pleaser.
Did i mention these people were deaf? So, how did they manage to mime to the song, you ask? The first hurdle was that the company began the song with their backs to the audience. The intro music played and at the appropriate cue, one of their hearing signers thumped the stage. The actors, feeling the vibration through their feet, turned as one and began to dance to the music. Hearing signers on either side of the front of the stage signed in time to the music and, as solo parts were required, cued the performers when to come in. The soloist would mime/sign their words then freeze as the next soloist was cued. The effect was fantastic and the performers clearly relished the warm response from the audience.
I understand that Deaf Power Theatre Company will be appearing soon at the Princess May Theatre Christmas Carols. I wonder if they might have a longer piece they could present as part of DramaFest2000? Watch out for them, don't miss them.
I sincerely hope the ITA will be able to get Rae along to hold a master class at some time in the future.
Cheers
Grant
I had the pleasure of watching Rae's group Deaf Power Theatre Company perform yesterday in Forrest Chase as part of the celebrations for the International Day of People with a disAbility.
Deaf Power were originally scheduled to perform three short items in a 90 minute programme. But, by popular demand, they came back in the closing minutes of the programme to present a fourth short sketch.
The first item was a detailed mime of a person waking up in the morning, with all the props played by live mime artists. A shower faucet, that really worked, kept dropping down as our hapless protaganist was trying to perform his morning ablutions. He kept scaring himself with his reflection in the bathroom mirror. The humour was largely slapstick in nature, but performed without any dialogue and a precision that held a large lunchtime crowd spellbound by a silent performance.
The second was another short sketch that saw our hero return after work and retire to the lounge to watch TV. All the action on the mimed television set was provided by live actors. Once again the clarity of gesture achieved by the company clearly and strongly conveyed the storyline. The finale was a magnicicent mimed rendition of "I Love the Night Life". The choreography may not have been terribly flash, but simple costumes and energetic performances from a cast that signed their way through the song made this a real crowd-pleaser.
Did i mention these people were deaf? So, how did they manage to mime to the song, you ask? The first hurdle was that the company began the song with their backs to the audience. The intro music played and at the appropriate cue, one of their hearing signers thumped the stage. The actors, feeling the vibration through their feet, turned as one and began to dance to the music. Hearing signers on either side of the front of the stage signed in time to the music and, as solo parts were required, cued the performers when to come in. The soloist would mime/sign their words then freeze as the next soloist was cued. The effect was fantastic and the performers clearly relished the warm response from the audience.
I understand that Deaf Power Theatre Company will be appearing soon at the Princess May Theatre Christmas Carols. I wonder if they might have a longer piece they could present as part of DramaFest2000? Watch out for them, don't miss them.
I sincerely hope the ITA will be able to get Rae along to hold a master class at some time in the future.
Cheers
Grant