The thing that has struck me most about the rehearsal process for ‘The Tempest’ with Taking Flight Theatre Company is how layered it is. In addition to it being a Shakespearean text, there’s music, British Sign Language and Audio Description integrated into the performance whilst also needing to keep in consideration that all this will take place in the great outdoors in a promenade format! Oh and also…set in the 1920s!
This is a Shakespeare production that may not necessarily please the purists but it is certainly one of the few, if not the only, example of one that really is accessible to everyone.
It has been completely fascinating to watch my co-performer Sami Thorpe going through scenes with us the actors and then interpreting this in BSL*. It is incredibly impressive that someone can do this with a Shakespearean text but even more so to then have to sometimes adapt the sign language to match the actor’s interpretation of this text. Leading on from this, I’ve enjoyed seeing how Sami has been integrated into scenes in so many different ways. Not only does Sami use BSL during the performance but also visual vernacular that has similar qualities to BSL but is more suited to performance and so another thing that’s unique to Taking Flight.
It’s so refreshing to see someone who’s using BSL actually performing as well as communicating to D/ deaf and Hard of Hearing audience members rather than standing on the side as I’ve seen in other theatre performances. I realise these other shows would usually only have one show with BSL interpretation; I can only imagine how fantastic it must be for D/ deaf theatre-goers to know they can book for any Taking Flight performance as opposed to having to look carefully at the list of dates to see which performance will include an interpreter.
Aside from the play, it has been very enjoyable learning how to communicate with the phenomenal Deaf actress Stephanie Back. I am now able to finger spell the alphabet as well as know how to introduce myself and ask questions such as ‘How?’, ‘When?’ and ‘Why?’ etc. I fully intend to continue learning and have bought a book & DVD to educate me further in BSL. Having two experienced interpreters in the rehearsal room on a daily basis is a real bonus for this as I have been able to learn a little bit extra from them here & there.
The other feature in this play that I haven’t been exposed to until this process is audio description. It’s quite a simple concept e.g. the opening scene where the storm is raging and as Sebastian and I fall over and say “Man down”. Having said that, it is another layer that needs to be added to the text and crucial for it to be as clear as possible for blind audience members. I had never heard of the term ‘audio flyer’ before but had the pleasure of recording one the week before rehearsals in order to advertise the show to blind audience members.
During my short career, music has played a big part with nearly every production I’ve been involved in requiring me to play music. However this is the first time I’ll have played keys outdoors! I remember questioning how this could logistically work outdoors and that question has been well and truly answered since starting rehearsals – it will live in a foley trolley. The trolley will move around with the actors (and audience) during the performance and along with Becky Davies’ brilliant design will really add to the 1920s feel that we’ll be portraying during the play. The music has also been written to fit this era and the talented Dan Lawrence’s compositions include many a jazz chord and will include me playing some Joplin-esque rag-time on the keys.
I don’t want to give too much else away…I hope to see you between June the 8th and July the 30th when we’ll be sharing the story with Wales and Bristol!
*British Sign Language
Photo: Claire Cousin
Foley trolley. Please credit Designer: Becky Davies
The audio flyer:
https://soundcloud.com/taking-flight-theatre/tempest-audio-flyer-english
TOUR DATES
Unless otherwise stated next to date, follow this link below for tickets.
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/taking-flight-theatre-company
JUNE
Thompson’s Park, Cardiff
(meet at main gate on Romilly Rd)
CF5 1FH
June 8th 12.00 & 18.30
June 9th 18.30
June 10th 14.00 & 18.30
Chapter.org 02920 304400
–
The Pavilion, Langland, Swansea
SA3 4SF
11th June 2pm
Bryntirion Comprehensive, Bridgend
June 15th 18.30
Buy on the door
–
Elan Valley
(meet at visitor centre)
LD6 5HP
June 16th noon & 5pm
June 17th 4pm
–
Roath Park, Cardiff
(meet at conservatory)
June 18th 6.30pm
–
Beaumaris Castle
LL58 8AP
June 21st 7pm
–
Coed Y Brenin
(meet at visitor centre)
LL40 2HZ
June 22nd 7pm
–
Denbigh Castle
LL16 3NB
June 23rd noon & 7pm
June 24th 2 & 7pm
–
Loggerheads Country Park
(meet at visitor centre)
CH7 5LH
June 25th 7pm
Tickets also bookable at site
–
Caerphilly Castle
CF83 1JD
June 28th 7pm
–
Strata Florida Abbey
SY25 6ES
June 29th 7pm
–
Dylan’s Restaurant, Criccieth
LL52 0HU
30th 7.30pm
For theatre tickets only please use Ticketsource link
For theatre and dinner tickets email criccieth@dylansrestaurant.co.uk or call 01766 522773
JULY
Hijinx Unity Festival
Caernarfon Doc Fictoria
July 1st noon
July 2nd 2pm
Free
–
Bellevue Park Newport
(meet at The Tea Rooms)
NP20 4EZ
July 5th noon & 7pm
–
Tretower Court
NP8 1RD
July 6th 7pm
–
Blaise Castle Estate Dairy Farm
BS10 7QS
July 7th noon & 7pm
July 8th 2 & 7pm
bristolshakespearefestival.org.uk or use ticketsource
–
Tretower Court
NP8 1RD
July 9th 5.30pm
–
Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr
(meet at bandstand)
CF47 8RE
July 11th noon & 7pm
–
Rhuddlan Castle
LL18 5AD
July 13th 7pm
July 14th noon & 7pm
–
Valle Crucis Abbey, Llangollen
LL20 8DD
July 15th & 16th 7pm
llangollenfringe.co.uk / 0800 1455779 or use ticketsource
–
Cilgerran Castle
SA43 2SF
July 19th 7pm
–
Stackpole, Nr Pembroke
(meet at Lodge Park Woods)
Carpark postcode SA71 5DE
July 20th 7pm
July 21st noon & 7pm
July 22nd 2 & 7pm
–
Hilton Court, Haverfordwest
SA62 5AE
July 23rd 6.30pm
–
Beechenhurst Lodge, Forest of Dean
GL16 7EG
July 25th 7pm
–
Tintern Abbey
NP16 6SE
July 26th 7pm
–
Kidwelly Castle
SA17 5BQ
July 28th 7pm
–
Trelai Pavilion, Trelai Park, Ely, Cardiff
CF5 5AQ
July 29th noon
The Kymin, Penarth
CF64 1JX
July 30th 4pm
penarthtowncouncil.gov.uk 02920 703200
takingflighttheatre.co.uk
@takingflightco
https://www.facebook.com/Takingflightco/