Deafinitely Theatre, led by Artistic Director Paula Garfield MBE, is taking its critically acclaimed British Sign Language (BSL) production of The Vagina Monologues by V (formerly Eve Ensler) on a national tour this summer. Following a sold-out charity gala at Hackney Empire in 2023, the production will tour three major venues: Exeter Northcott Theatre (15 July), Crucible Theatre in Sheffield (17 July), and The Rep in Birmingham (19 July).
This landmark version of the iconic feminist play features a stellar all-deaf cast including Yvonne Cobb, Fifi Garfield, Cherie Gordon, Abigail Gorman, Mae Al-Kalamchi, Raphaella Julien, Maral Mamaghanizadeh, Moona Mohammed, Amy Morton, and Lynn Stewart-Taylor. Garfield said, “This extraordinary group of performers brings not only artistry but authenticity to a show that has long given voice to untold stories. Presenting this in BSL opens it to new audiences and offers a transformative theatrical experience.”
The Vagina Monologues is based on interviews with over 100 women around the world. A mix of humorous, heart-wrenching, and empowering stories, the play explores themes of identity, sexuality, body autonomy, and female experience. Garfield’s adaptation makes these stories newly accessible and resonant for Deaf audiences, while amplifying the diversity at the core of V’s work.
Paula Garfield, a trailblazer in Deaf theatre, has directed dozens of productions with Deafinitely Theatre, including Everyday, Contractions, and Can Bears Ski?. Her vision for The Vagina Monologues is inclusive and bold, merging activism and artistry.
Tour Dates:
15 July, 7:30pm – Exeter Northcott Theatre | Tickets £19–£22
17 July, 7:15pm – Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | Tickets £20
19 July, 7:45pm – The Rep, Birmingham
Age Guidance: 14+
For more on Deafinitely Theatre: www.deafinitelytheatre.co.uk
