Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
Deaf youngsters receive VIP treat at Snow White panto | Derby | Derby news | Derby Assembly Rooms
CHILDREN who are deaf and hearing-impaired received an extra treat this Christmas when they met their panto heroes.
More than 70 youngsters were at the Assembly Rooms in Derby to watch a performance of Snow White with sign language interpretation.
After enjoying the two-and-a-half-hour show, the children went on stage to meet the cast and have photos taken with them.
They were also given the chance to ask the performers questions, all through the help of an interpreter.
Among those meeting the stars was 12-year-old Stephen Crofts, of Clifton Road, Allestree, who has been completely deaf all his life.
His mother Linda, 48, said her son was a huge fan of the Doctor Who television series and was thrilled to meet the former star of the show, Sylvester McCoy.
She said: "We've been coming for three years because the signed performance makes the show much more accessible for Stephen.
"Although some of the jokes can be lost in translation, pantomime is very visual and just a big part of Christmas."
Seven-year-old Henry Bowe, who has also been deaf from birth, has been coming to the special performances for three years.
His mother, Lindsey, 37, of Rosyth Crescent, Chellaston, said: "They do a fantastic signed performance here.
"It is always the same interpreter each year, which gives the event a real sense of familiarity."
And Carol Bowen, 36, of Bretton Avenue, Littleover, who went to the pantomime with her son Ben, 12, said: "It's wonderful because Ben can access the show himself without feeling the need to ask me what is happening."
Qualified sign-language interpreter Sarah Gatford-Ball, 41, has been interpreting pantomimes at the Assembly Rooms for almost seven years.
She said: "It's an incredibly exhausting job with lots of preparation, but very rewarding.
"I receive the script about three months before the show is running but it is never the same as what is performed on stage.
"The main thing is to learn the songs and figure out how to make it funny in translation so the joke isn't lost.
"I dress up in costume just like the actors and really find it helps me with my own character and interpretation."
Father-and-son duo Keith and Ben Simmons, who star as Meddles and Muddles in Snow White, said the signed performance was always a special occasion.
Keith said: "We're aware of Sarah signing next to us but we try not to draw attention to her, although she is important.
"Pantomimes are quite visual anyway so it's lovely to see the children smiling and really taking it in."
Ben said: "It's always fantastic to meet the children afterwards."
CHILDREN who are deaf and hearing-impaired received an extra treat this Christmas when they met their panto heroes.
More than 70 youngsters were at the Assembly Rooms in Derby to watch a performance of Snow White with sign language interpretation.
After enjoying the two-and-a-half-hour show, the children went on stage to meet the cast and have photos taken with them.
They were also given the chance to ask the performers questions, all through the help of an interpreter.
Among those meeting the stars was 12-year-old Stephen Crofts, of Clifton Road, Allestree, who has been completely deaf all his life.
His mother Linda, 48, said her son was a huge fan of the Doctor Who television series and was thrilled to meet the former star of the show, Sylvester McCoy.
She said: "We've been coming for three years because the signed performance makes the show much more accessible for Stephen.
"Although some of the jokes can be lost in translation, pantomime is very visual and just a big part of Christmas."
Seven-year-old Henry Bowe, who has also been deaf from birth, has been coming to the special performances for three years.
His mother, Lindsey, 37, of Rosyth Crescent, Chellaston, said: "They do a fantastic signed performance here.
"It is always the same interpreter each year, which gives the event a real sense of familiarity."
And Carol Bowen, 36, of Bretton Avenue, Littleover, who went to the pantomime with her son Ben, 12, said: "It's wonderful because Ben can access the show himself without feeling the need to ask me what is happening."
Qualified sign-language interpreter Sarah Gatford-Ball, 41, has been interpreting pantomimes at the Assembly Rooms for almost seven years.
She said: "It's an incredibly exhausting job with lots of preparation, but very rewarding.
"I receive the script about three months before the show is running but it is never the same as what is performed on stage.
"The main thing is to learn the songs and figure out how to make it funny in translation so the joke isn't lost.
"I dress up in costume just like the actors and really find it helps me with my own character and interpretation."
Father-and-son duo Keith and Ben Simmons, who star as Meddles and Muddles in Snow White, said the signed performance was always a special occasion.
Keith said: "We're aware of Sarah signing next to us but we try not to draw attention to her, although she is important.
"Pantomimes are quite visual anyway so it's lovely to see the children smiling and really taking it in."
Ben said: "It's always fantastic to meet the children afterwards."