Shows and Events

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Interpreted Theatre


2009 SEASON

Poor Boy - Thursday, 6th August 8pm
Poor Boy
asks big questions about humanity and our place in the universe. What is a soul and if we have one, who owns it? What do we believe in? What is faith and how do we know when it is misplaced? The resulting family drama is at once incandescently comic.

A Streetcar Named Desire
- Thursday, 8th October 8pm
A Streetcar Named Desire is a compelling and sensuous play which features some of the most memorable characters in theatrical history. The battle between Blanche and Stanley comes to embody nothing less than the battle between tradition and progress.

For more information and tickets visit http://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/2009

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To provide access for the Deaf community to quality theatre and to promote Deaf awareness, ATOD works with several theatre companies each year to present Auslan (Australian Sign Language) Interpretation of their shows.

Interpreted Theatre is usually presented as one performance in a theatre season, and ATOD organises a block booking with the best views of the interpreters in the house. Preference for tickets is given to Deaf and hearing impaired patrons and their guests, but tickets are often available for hearing people interested in the amazing spectacle of theatre interpreters at work (eg: sign language students etc).

Interpreted Theatre is a daunting project for interpreters. For over a month they work with the support of an Auslan consultant, to translate and rehearse an entire play. To put their work load in perspective, each actor in the play has traditionally 4 weeks to rehearse their characters lines, but an interpreter will often have to learn the presentation of half the cast in as much time. This work is doubled when you consider the preparation required for musicals where timing, rhythm and harmonies must be devised and practiced.

ATODs role in coordinating an Interpreted Theatre event includes contracting interpreters and consultants, direct marketing to the Deaf community, ticket booking and liaising with the theatre on seat and interpreters placement. Before the preparation of an interpreted theatre show can even begin, ATOD must also assess if the show is suitable. Elements considered in this decision are:

  • Language: Old style English for example can present translation issues.
  • Humour : Comedy based on puns (play on words) or rhyming don't translate to another language.
  • Subject : Some subject matters may not be relevant or market well to the Deaf community.

In the past ATOD has coordinated sign language interpretation for the Sydney Theatre Company, Belvoir St Theatre, the Olympic and Paralympic Arts Festivals and popular musicals including RENT and The Sound of Music.




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