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Cre8 Theatre and c21 Theatre Company are pleased to announce that the inaugural Deaf Arts Festival NI will launch in the MAC on 6 & 7 May to coincide with Deaf Awareness Week 2023.

On the eve of her birthday Rose pricks her finger on her birthday badge, propelling her into a sleepy state where she is mystically enticed from slumber into fairytale land.

Whilst there, Rose makes some new friends who aren’t all what they appear to be. With the help of fantastical flying orbs, a shape-shifting witch, and a neurotic knight, Rose meanders her way through the mystical magical land, returning home to Dad with a big message.

This modern musical adaptation of the classic fairytale places deaf and hearing artists together in central roles. Featuring sign song, music, an interactive vibrational sound experience, and puppetry. It’s for all the family and is played in a relaxed environment, making it accessible to all audiences.

Sleeping Beauty is part of the Deaf Arts Festival NI, established and curated by Cre8 Theatre and c21 Theatre Company.

Both local companies have curated two pieces of brand-new writing. Cre8 will present a modern musical adaptation of ‘Sleeping Beauty’ for children and families while c21 will offer ‘Expecting’, a play containing a series of interweaving monologues and duologues in both English and sign language by Belfast Playwright Charis McRoberts. Both productions have been developed in collaboration with d/Deaf artist Paula Clarke and feature d/Deaf and hearing artists.

The festival aims to connect with d/Deaf communities across Northern Ireland and beyond, creating opportunity, access, and inclusion to arts activity for integrated audiences, as well as place deaf artists in central roles on the main stage.

The festival is for everyone - d/Deaf, hard of hearing and hearing audiences.

After the festival both companies will embark on a tour of regional arts venues at which each of the new productions will be performed.

This event is part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival programme. Find out more.