Belfast-based Cre8 Theatre, which supports d/Deaf artists and advocates for equal rights and opportunities with hearing artists, is to revive its musical version with a modern setting of the classic fairy tale The Sleeping Beauty.
First seen during last year’s inaugural Deaf Arts Festival NI, the show has been co-written by Charis McRoberts and Cre8’s artistic director, Sarah Lyle, in collaboration with d/Deaf actor Paula Clarke, recently seen in McRoberts’s Expecting and soon to play Tyrell in The Tragedy of Richard III at the Lyric Theatre.
The cast includes d/Deaf actors Alanis Millar in the dual roles of Rose and the Sleeping Beauty and Tasha Henderson as The Witch alongside hearing performers. The production will also feature puppets, sign language and signed songs with music composed by Garth McConaghie and an “interactive vibrational sound experience”.
Schools attending dedicated performances for primary-age pupils will receive a free sign language workshop as part of the First Steps to Sign Language programme aimed at increasing access for d/Deaf artists and integrating d/Deaf and hearing audiences.
Production personnel include movement director Michael McEvoy, with costumes by Lyle and Gemma Mae-Halligan, lighting by Sandy McAlister and captions designer Fergus Wachala-Kelly. Lyle also contributes to puppet design along with Mike Smith, Pauline Houston, Ricky Lyle and Kim Rowlinson. John D’Arcy provides sound experience guidance.
The Sleeping Beauty runs for six shows, for schools and public audiences, at the Grand Opera House Studio, Belfast, October 2–5.