We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is deaf dead!
Directed by Paula Garfield, Horrible Histories – Dreadful Deaf – Definitely not for the faint-hearted opened at Bristol Old Vic on 30 May with tours to York, London, Oxford and Derby until 23 June.
So it’s time to prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories live on stage as it delves into the dreadful, dangerous and deluded stories of the deaf! From groovy Greeks to gorgeous Georgians, ruthless Romans to vile Victorians, come with us into this incredible world to discover the extraordinary people and amazing stories you simply won’t believe!
The play is a bilingual production – in that it is spoken in English and British Sign Language. It is important we make theatre accessible to both Deaf and hearing families.
The Artiscape spoke with Naomi Gray about the production.
Naomi Gray’s theatre credits include Mirror Mirror (UK tour), The Sam Neill Experience: A Dance Musical (The Camden Fringe) and Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood (CAST, Doncaster). For television her credits include Julian Fellows Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder. For film, her credits include The Feast of the Goat.
What is Gray most looking forward to in performing in Horrible Histories – Dreadful Deaf?
Gray: When I was offered the role, I was really excited and particularly looking forward to creating fun and gruesome scenes that would make the audience squirm, and being able to do this using a mixture of spoken English, Sign Language and visual storytelling.
I was [also] really looking forward to working with the two other cast members for the first time, Fifi and Nadeem, both of whom are very funny and talented so it’s a joy to work with them.
Was Gray familiar with “Horrible Histories” before she took on the role?
Gray: I grew up reading the Horrible Histories books, I found them gruesomely fascinating, entertaining and I learned so much about history in a fun way. Now as an adult, I love watching the TV show! I’m a big fan of Horrible Histories so I feel very privileged to be a part of it.
What does Gray perceive as the greatest challenge in performing in these type of plays?
Gray: Keeping up the energy is a challenge as the show is very fast paced and between the three of us we never really stop! So I’ve had to get myself physically and mentally on top of my game for the tour.
Also throughout the rehearsal process, trying to make sure all the scenes are completely accessible and clear for both hearing and deaf audiences was a challenge that took creativity and careful planning from everyone in the team.
What has Gray learned from researching the play?
I’ve learned so much about deaf individuals throughout history that I had never heard of before, it’s inspiring to hear some of the achievements these people made in the past, despite the oppression and hardships they faced.
I think one of the most interesting/weird things that I learned about was the bizarre obsession that one particular inventor in the 1800s had with deaf people and the lengths he went to to try and tear apart and “breed out” the deaf community – really shocking! I won’t say who, as you’ll have to come and see the show to find out! No spoilers.
What does she think the audience will take away from the play?
I think the audience will take away lots of fascinating new facts and also an exciting feeling of seeing something brand new and different to most theatre that’s out there – it’s Horrible Histories alright but in a brand new way; it’s a visual feast!
The storytelling, the poetry, the songs, the jokes, the gore, it’s a great experience for all the family, and fully accessible whether you are deaf or hearing.
Horrible Histories – Dreadful Deaf – Definitely not for the faint-hearted is touring York, London, Oxford and Derby until 23 June.
