LGBT community raises thousands for ‘tireless' drag performer's legal battle in wake of children's storytelling row
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Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Belfast Telegraph
LGBT community raises thousands for ‘tireless' drag performer's legal battle in wake of children's storytelling row
During the event Lady Portia Di Monte, whose real name is Marcus Hunter-Neill, read storybooks to children, while Miss Dora Belle interpreted the stories into British Sign Language (BSL).
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Scotsman
Festival launches sign language service
The 2025 Edinburgh Deaf Festival is a vibrant showcase for British Sign Language performances of all kinds, including comedy and drama. But the festival is accessible to hearing as well as deaf audiences. The festival run by Deaf Action, the world's oldest deaf charity, is on until August 17 and welcomes hearing as well as deaf audiences. Pictured centre is actor, writer, director and festival Creative Programmer Nadia Nadarajah, on left is Deaf Action CEO Philip Gerrard, and on the right is Festival Co-ordinator Lucy Horton (Picture: Colin Hattersley) The Edinburgh Deaf Festival has launched an Interpreter and Captioners Request Service to increase access to performances across its August programme. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The new service enables audiences to request British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation or live captioning for specific events when booking, extending provision beyond shows that already have these features scheduled. The festival celebrates deaf artists and work reflecting deaf culture through theatre, comedy, cabaret, exhibitions, family activities and workshops. Many events are presented in BSL or include captioning as standard, and the new request system means more of the programme can be made accessible on demand. This flexibility supports the festival's aim of welcoming a wider audience and ensuring equal opportunities for participation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Led by a dedicated team, the event forms part of Edinburgh's wider festival landscape. It offers a platform for creative expression rooted in lived experience, with opportunities for audiences to connect directly with performers. Networking and discussion sessions encourage collaboration between artists, community groups and industry professionals, strengthening representation and visibility. By embedding accessibility through measures like the Interpreter and Captioners Request Service, the festival addresses barriers that may have limited attendance in previous years. This approach aligns with a long-term goal of ensuring that access is integral to programming rather than treated as an optional addition. It also reflects a commitment to embedding deaf culture within the city's annual cultural calendar, positioning the festival as both a celebration of creativity and a driver of inclusive practice. As the event continues to grow, these initiatives will help deliver an accessible and representative cultural experience for audiences across the city. Angus Robertson is SNP MSP for Edinburgh Central and Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Secretary
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Scotsman
History made accessible: The Real Mary King's Close launches first-ever sign language tours ahead of Edinburgh Deaf Festival
One of Edinburgh's most iconic attractions is making its own history by launching digital sign language tours for the first time. The Real Mary King's Close will offer tours in British Sign Language (BSL) and International Sign Language (IS) using a multimedia app, launching to coincide with Edinburgh Deaf Festival which begins on August 8th. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The milestone is a significant step in The Real Mary King's Close's commitment to making history immersive and more accessible than ever to anyone wanting to step back in time into the fascinating world of 17th-century Edinburgh. Developed in close collaboration with Deaf Action, the translation is delivered digitally by a storyteller portraying Alexander Blackwood - the founder of the world's first deaf church and deaf organisation in 1830, whose early meetings were held at nearby Lady Stair's Close - a stone's throw away from Mary King's Close in Edinburgh. The historical connection helps root the experience in the city's wider cultural and deaf heritage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad From initial scripting to on-screen performances, every aspect of the project has been shaped with deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences in mind. The result is a fully accessible and engaging guest experience, allowing more people to step into the streets and understand the stories hidden beneath the Royal Mile. A visitor using The Real Mary King's Close BSL Guide during a tour Paul Nixon, general manager at The Real Mary King's Close, said: 'We want everyone to feel the thrill of stepping into Edinburgh's hidden past. These new BSL and IS options are more than just a translation - they're a meaningful extension of our storytelling, built in partnership with the deaf community. 'Reprising the Alexander Blackwood character adds an extra dimension to the tours, allowing our guests to connect not only with the history of the Close, but with a pivotal figure in deaf heritage, rooted in Edinburgh. His story belongs here and we're proud to honour it in a way that makes our experience more accessible, more immersive and more representative of all who shaped this city's past.' The idea for these new sign language tours came directly from The Real Mary King's Close team, who used the expert guidance of Deaf Action to ensure the needs of deaf guests were met. From scripting to filming, every stage was thoughtfully designed to ensure deaf and hard of hearing guests can fully engage with the stories. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Richard MacQueen, commercial manager at Deaf Action, said: 'As the world's oldest deaf charity, established in 1835, Deaf Action is proud to partner with The Real Mary King's Close to make this iconic Edinburgh attraction accessible in both British Sign Language and International Sign. A visitor using The Real Mary King's Close BSL Guide on a tour 'With such a strong shared connection to the city's history, it's fitting that two organisations with deep roots in Edinburgh are working together to break down barriers. We applaud The Real Mary King's Close for taking meaningful steps to ensure deaf residents and visitors can fully experience the fascinating stories hidden beneath the Royal Mile.' The Close invites the public to experience this new offering and celebrate the launch during the Edinburgh Deaf Festival, which highlights deaf culture, language and creativity. Guests can access the new tours from The Real Mary King's Close free language guide app, which also features translations in 11 other languages.
