Deafinitely Theatre Unveils 2025 Season Lineup

Artistic Director Paula Garfield has announced the exciting lineup for Deafinitely Theatre’s 2025 season, which will continue to spotlight deaf talent through a dynamic blend of bilingual productions in British Sign Language (BSL) and spoken English.

The season kicks off with a UK tour of The Vagina Monologues by V (formerly Eve Ensler), directed by Garfield. After a sold-out charity gala at Hackney Empire in 2023, an adapted version of this production will launch at Exeter Northcott Theatre on July 15, followed by performances at Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and The Rep in Birmingham.

This autumn, the company will present Eloise Pennycott’s Barrier(s), also helmed by Garfield. The production opens at The Rep, Birmingham from October 18-25, before touring to HOME in Manchester and Camden People’s Theatre, where it will be featured in the inaugural season of new Artistic Director Rio Matchett.

“I am incredibly proud to present our 2025 season to audiences across the UK,” said Paula Garfield. “This year, we celebrate the strength, creativity, and voices of deaf women through two compelling productions: The Vagina Monologues by V and Barrier(s) by Eloise Pennycott. This season underscores our commitment to championing deaf talent both onstage and behind the scenes. From a beloved classic reimagined in BSL to an original play by an emerging deaf writer, we are eager to share these remarkable stories with you. We invite everyone to join us.”

Upcoming Productions

The Vagina Monologues

By V
Directed by Paula Garfield

Deafinitely Theatre brings The Vagina Monologues, adapted for both BSL and Spoken English, back to life. Featuring a diverse cast of deaf and hearing women and non-binary persons, the production captivated audiences with a sold-out performance at Hackney Empire in 2023. This iconic work, based on V’s interviews with women worldwide, is a powerful celebration of womanhood and sexuality, delivering a compelling theatrical experience that remains relevant today.

V is a Tony Award-winning playwright known for her impactful works, including Dear Everything and The Apology.

Paula Garfield, who has directed a variety of groundbreaking productions for Deafinitely Theatre, has also made her mark at Shakespeare’s Globe and other esteemed venues. She founded Deafinitely Theatre in 2002 to address the access issues faced by deaf artists.

Barrier(s)

By Eloise Pennycott
Directed by Paula Garfield

In Barrier(s), we explore the complexities of love across different worlds. Alana and Katie navigate the joys and challenges of their relationship, confronting societal barriers in communication and understanding. This intimate narrative blends warmth and humor, creating a theatrical experience that resonates deeply, even beyond words.

Eloise Pennycott, who made her debut at the National Theatre, hopes that her work sparks important conversations about identity and storytelling.

Join Deafinitely Theatre for a remarkable season celebrating unique voices and narratives that deserve to be heard!