Deafinitely Theatre has been busy during Sign Language Week, as we continue to advocate for the British Sign Language Bill. Paula Garfield, our Artistic Director recently met the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Chloe Smith, at a rehearsal for Getting There, our current co-production with Toucan Theatre and Oxford Playhouse. 

Watch the Minister's visit here with captions:

Addressing parliament at the Bill's third reading, the Minister emphasised that she is committed and proud to support the BSL Bill, going on to say: 

"Earlier this week I had the pleasure of seeing a rehearsal of [Getting There from] Deafinitely Theatre, the first deaf-launched and deaf-led professional theatre company in the UK, producing bi-lingual theatre in both BSL and spoken English. It was so inspiring to meet the directors and the cast, to see the welcoming space they have created for deaf people and the bold space that they are challenging audiences with as well."

Co-director of Getting There, Kelsey Cherie Gordon discussed the importance of deaf representation and how the passing of the BSL Bill would impact a stronger presence for deaf people in the arts and mainstream media. You can see Kelsey's interview and wider article on the BBC News website. 

Image: Chloe Smith, Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work speaks to Kelsey Cherie Gordon and James Baldwin, co-directors of Getting There.