Family-friendly Horrible Histories – Dreadful Deaf show announced for D/deaf audiences

Birmingham Stage Company and Deafinitely Theatre will collaborate on a new family show for D/deaf and hearing children based on the Horrible Histories franchise.

Entitled Horrible Histories – Dreadful Deaf, the piece delves into stories of deaf individuals throughout history. Performed in both spoken English and British Sign Language, the bilingual show will be directed by Deafinitely Theatre's artistic director Paula Garfield.

Garfield said: "A few years ago I watched my deaf children reading and enjoying Horrible Histories and I was struck by the thought that it would be wonderful for them to have a ‘Deaf Horrible Histories', showcasing the stories, culture and communities of deaf people throughout history."

The piece is a new instalment in the Horrible Histories series of stage shows, which have been produced by Birmingham Stage Company over the last few years.

Dreadful Deaf will open at Bristol Old Vic on 29 May, with the show touring to York Theatre Royal, The North Wall in Oxford and Derby Theatre. Further dates and casting are to be announced.

The show is designed by Paul Burgess with lighting by Joe Horsnby and composition and sound design by Chris Bartholomew.