This bilingual play opens with a despairing soliloquy, introducing the audience to John, a man who has lost both, his wife and daughter. The Deaf actor uses British Sign Language which is translated for those who cannot sign, to begin this story about cochlear implants and relationship breakdown. The play seamlessly combines both languages so that it is accessible to both a Deaf and hearing audience, including spoken and signed interpretation throughout. The play follows two couples, one Deaf and the other hearing, and explores the various issues of the alienation of the Deaf community in the hearing world, the risk of being excluded from the Deaf community in joining the hearing world, and ultimately the agonising choice between being proud of one’s Deaf identity and the pragmatism of making a decision which might enable a child to hear.
Few outside the Deaf community are aware of the current heated debate around cochlear implants, which involves intrusive surgery to connect an external microphone worn with the cochlea inside the ear, and which is increasingly being offered to parents who have very young Deaf children, and this play provides various angles on the debate.
The artistic integrity of the play was occasionally compromised by being so determinedly an ‘issue’ play, and at times the actors were let down by the production which concentrated too much on shifting boxes around the stage and portraying flatly ‘happy couples.’ However, the incredibly powerful scenes toward the end of the play show that this is an issue which can produce phenomenally powerful and moving acting.
For those who have no knowledge of this controversial medical intervention this play is a good introduction to the debates. Moreover, it is excellent to see a play by and about Deaf people which concentrates on issues relevant to their community.
4/5
Rachel Bower
