JONESBOROUGH REPERTORY THEATRE

Whatever you do, keep your eye on Colin Jeffress. As the king in the latest production of the Jonesborough Repertory Theatre, he delivers a performance beyond his years (which only number 10). The Firebird, now playing at the downtown community theatre, is a retelling of a timeless fairy tale.

The Firebird follows the magical journey of the Duke, a young man who learns the power of communication as well as the obstacles language can present. In his travels to the Land of Never the Duke finds Truth and Goodness by overcoming seemingly impossible quests and breaking the barriers of language.

Therein lies the twist of the production.

The play takes this classic Russian Folktale and uses the plot to introduce the audience to the different types of communication – specifically, American Sign Language. The play is told simultaneously through ASL and spoken English, with two sets of actors.

Now, I have to admit I wondered as I walked through the theatre just how all this would work. And, would it affect the performance?

Well, of course it affected the performance, but, I am happy to say, it did so for the better. There were times when stage placement seemed a bit awkward, but those were few and far between.

And, I felt as if I had learned something or been shown some secret world when I left the theatre. How many times can you say that after a night’s entertainment?

The particular form of interpretation employed in the JRT’s production of The Firebird is referred to as Shadow Interpreting.

Director Janette Gains explained that she took the usual form of shadow interpreting to the next level in this play by using a separate signing cast member for each character in the story, and dressing them up – making them actors as well and not just shadows, simply interpreting the play.

“As a parent of hard-of-hearing daughters, I have witnessed the ping-pong effect of watching a play interpreted in the standard ‘on the floor’ method,” says Gaines. “I have also witnessed missed dialogue and huge chunks of storyline lost when there is no interpreter or the actors are in a position where their lips cannot be read. For my daughters and for all other Deaf theatre lovers, I would like to offer a play they can enjoy to its fullest along with the hearing audience.”

In fact, I have a sense that there were a few jokes thrown in there by the signing actors that us “hearing people” couldn’t understand.

The mode of shadow interpreting used by Gaines and the cast obviously works best when you have two actors paired together who have chemistry – if they vibe, their performance is escalated by the pairing.

Two such stand-outs in this play were Holly Bible and Carol Mohler as the Horse. All I can say is – they were hilarious. With their on-stage antics and infallible timing, Bible and Mohler stole the show.

I also have to give mention to the little “junior” firebird, Christina Fulcher who danced her way into the hearts of the audience between scenes.

Whether you’re hard of hearing, or you just don’t listen, hear this – don’t let the acting style of this play keep you away. The Firebird is an enjoyable, laugh-inducing introduction to ASL. And, take your kids with you! Performances of The Firebird will be held October 9-11, Thursday – Saturday at 7 p.m. and October 12 at 2 p.m.

Article courtesy of heraldandtribune.com