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Edinburgh Reporter
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Fringe 2025: new crime thriller at Edinburgh Deaf Festival – also for hearing audiences
Audiences for BBC's The Reunion and ITV's thriller Code of Silence were intrigued by these British Sign Language dramas and the insight into life as deaf person. Now a new crime thriller performed by deaf actors comes to the Fringe in a world première. There's a growing awareness of BSL as a language in its own right and deaf actors like East Ender's star and Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose Ayling-Ellis have had a big role to play in creating understanding of life as a deaf person. If Ayling-Ellis is having an impact on our TV screens then deaf writer and performer Nadia Nadarajah is an equally big presence on stage. If you were lucky enough to see Nadarajah's debut play The Ghost of Alexander Blackwood as part of last year's Deaf Festival you will know what a writing talent she is.. She was also the star of The Globe Theatre's BSL version of Anthony & Cleopatra last autumn and responsible for translating the Shakespeare play into BSL Now Nadarajah returns with a new play, a crime thriller Echoes Across Time and Edinburgh audiences will get to see its first ever staging. The plot is about three women across three timelines. In 2000 and 2012, two deaf women disappear without explanation. In 2025, faint traces of their lives begin to resurface. Echoes Across Time follows one woman's search to uncover hidden connections and untold histories. Searching for answers in the past, she uncovers new questions: where do the clues lead and what is waiting to be found? Where did Nadarajah get the idea for the play? 'I have a lot of hearing friends and I am always seeing them with headphones on. I thought they were listening to music but one day my housemate told me that lots of people listen to podcasts.' She became fascinated by the popularity of podcasts, particularly why so many people listened to true crime ones, and being a writer and performer started looking into how they were made. 'I wanted to know about the special effects, the background sounds, how an atmosphere is created that brings these stories to life. I was walking around my local park thinking, what is the deaf version of this?' The answer is Echoes of Silence which she wrote earlier in the year. Nararajah writes in BSL, which is a different language to English. The script format is ideal for the three deaf actors who play the women involved in the mystery, but it needs to work for hearing audiences too so it was translated into English. At the performances on 15th -17th August hearing audiences will experience this translation voiced by a performance interpreter and there will be subtitles too. It might be influenced by the current obsession with true crime (it starts off in a garden because apparently a high percentage of real murders take place in garden settings) but the story has all come from Nadarajah's imagination. 'I travel on the train a lot to Edinburgh and get inspired by what I can see when I look out the window.' Berwick-upon-Tweed in particular caught her eye, 'I regularly go through it and think it looks like a beautiful place, but what secrets could be hidden there? One of the questions I want people to think about is how well do you know your neighbours?' Bringing Nadarajah's story to life are actors Irina Vartopeanu, from Romania and now based in Glasgow, Claire Wetherall, a Geordie living in Scotland and Benedetta Zanetti, who is originally from Italy. Naomi Gray will be interpreting the BSL into English. 'Our three deaf actors all trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in Glasgow. Between them they have had lots of roles on stage and TV but this is their first experience of acting at Edinburgh Fringe,' said Nadarajah, talking in BSL via her interpreter. 'I got my first Fringe experience in 2015, and it gave me a lot of confidence to carry on as an actor.' Since then she has gone on to work on stage and film and won Outstanding Stage Performance at the Asian Media Awards for Antony & Cleopatra in 2024 What can hearing audiences expect from Echoes of Silence apart from a jolly good mystery? Nadarajah and her cast know that storytelling is one of the strengths of signed language because it has a visual impact that a spoken language doesn't. She thinks audiences will find themselves watching the play in a new way. 'Echoes Across Time will be accessible to deaf and non-deaf people alike. It is in British Sign Language with an English voiceover and captions, it will be accessible to all,' Nadia reassures. This play is just one of many offerings of Edinburgh Deaf Festival which opens on Friday 8 August and runs until the 17th. You can also experience stand up comedy, drag artists, magicians, shows for children and young people, and the return of the ever popular Evie Wadell, musician and story teller, with her new show about Ivor Cutler. It is hosted by Edinburgh's Deaf Action which is a deaf led charity based in Edinburgh, supporting people in Scotland. Founded in 1835 it is the world's oldest deaf charity. It supports residents and visitors alike, and can provide interpreters on request to any Festival show. Edinburgh Deaf Festival wants to change people's attitude towards disabled artists. They want audiences to understand that these actors are people with a lot of amazing skills who just happen to be deaf. 'It is not about giving deaf people 'a go',' said Nadrajah, 'it's about recognising new talent and new work equivalent to the standards that non-deaf, non BSL users have. Deaf creatives can do it, they have the skills. Now it's time for them to be shared with the non-deaf world via the Edinburgh Fringe.' Listings Details Venue: Deaf Action – Blackwood Bar, 49 Albany St, Edinburgh EH1 3QY Time: 18:30 Dates: Aug 15-17 Duration: 60 minutes Ticket prices: £10 to £12 Tickets: Photo Colin Hattersley Joanna Matthews This author does not have any more posts. Like this: Like Related
Web Release
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Web Release
ATLANTIS DUBAI UNVEILS THE RETURN OF ITS LEGENDARY AQUAVENTURE AFTER DARK: THE REUNION
Dubai's most thrilling moonlight waterpark event, Aquaventure After Dark, is set to make a triumphant return for one unforgettable night at the Guinness World Records™-holding Aquaventure World. Taking place from 8:00pm until midnight on Saturday 28th June, this one-night-only celebration, aptly titled 'The Reunion', is set to be a night of celebration and reconnection for long-time fans and new visitors alike. Guests can look forward to access to over 105 rides, slides, and attractions, including the famous Leap of Faith, the Odyssey of Terror the world's tallest waterslide of its kind, and the exciting Surf's Up wave rider. With three towers' worth of action-packed fun and top DJs spinning the summer's best hits, adrenaline lovers are in for a night of non-stop excitement. Tickets are on sale now from AED 249. Live music, restaurants and retail outlets will be at the heart of Aquaventure After Dark, turning this nighttime waterpark bash into an unforgettable festival experience. Get ready to party all night with top DJs including Bliss, Keza, Mr Shef Codes, and Taya Kruzz spinning the hottest beats. Partygoers will slide, dance, and vibe their way through the night, jumping from one thrilling adventure to the next. Guests are invited to take a break with the official event sponsor, Pepsi and grab an ice-cold beverage at one of the Pepsi stations across the park. With its bold and crisp taste, Pepsi is the perfect drink to enjoy while exploring the rides and dancing to the beats. For the foodies, options are endless;from American-style diner food at Snappers including loaded fries, vegan burgers, and buffalo popcorn chicken to international dishes at Barracudas such as Arabic mezze, pizzas, noodles, shawarma, falafel, and more. Rest assured; partygoers will have an abundance of delicious options to choose from. Aquaventure After Dark is open to guests aged 12 and above and takes place on Saturday 28th June, from 8:00pm until midnight for AED 249. Limited tickets will be available at the gate on the night for AED 330, however, it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance online. Aquaventure World Multi-Day Pass Holders can purchase Aquaventure After Dark tickets at the gate with a special price of AED 189. Whether you're a thrill-seeker, music lover, or looking for a unique way to celebrate with friends, Aquaventure After Dark offers something for everyone – a night of adventure, fun, and unforgettable memories. Ticket Information: Online advance tickets: AED 249 AED 249 Gate tickets (if available): AED 330 AED 330 Multi-Day Pass Holders:AED 189 (gate only) Tickets are limited and non-refundable. Early purchase is strongly recommended. Entry & Age Policy: Open to guests aged 12 years and above . ID will be checked at the entrance. . ID will be checked at the entrance. Appropriate swimwear is required for all water attractions. is required for all water attractions. Splashers Island, Splashers Lagoon, Splashers Cove, and marine life activities will not be available during the event. Getting There: Guests must enter via Atlantis Avenues. Free parking is available at the Aquaventure Waterpark parking area, with shuttle buses provided to the entrance gate. For more information and to book, visit Aquaventure After Dark 2025: Dubai's Best Night Waterpark Party
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Bafta fellowship award is the icing on the cake for TV's Kirsty Wark on her birthday
For 30 years, she fronted the BBC 's flagship Newsnight programme. Now Kirsty Wark has said it was 'the icing on the cake' to discover on her 70th birthday that she is to be honoured with a Bafta fellowship. The Scottish TV presenter and journalist, who celebrated the milestone birthday on February 3, will receive Bafta's highest accolade at its annual TV awards. She said: 'It was quite a long birthday, actually, there's lots of things that go on (during) a birthday. 'But to get that email was tremendous. And I think it just added, literally, the icing on the cake. 'So we were at home, we were doing different things. We were going to, sort of, my favourite place to go in Scotland, Arran. 'We were doing all sorts of things and then that just came in. I just thought, that's extraordinary. I can't believe it.' Ms Wark, who is being honoured for her exceptional contribution to television, has interviewed a variety of prominent politicians and cultural figures including former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, Australian author Germaine Greer, Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker and The Libertines' Pete Doherty. She joined the BBC current affairs programme Newsnight in 1993 as a presenter and left in July 2024 after 30 years at the helm. She has fronted documentaries on social media and taboos surrounding the menopause, and has also explored the stories of some of Scotland's most influential female pioneers in BBC series The Women Who Changed Modern Scotland. Ms Wark currently presents radio programmes The Reunion and Front Row on BBC Radio Four. She has won several industry awards including the British Academy Scotland Awards 2013 special achievement gong for outstanding contribution to broadcasting. Previous recipients of the Bafta fellowship include Baroness Floella Benjamin, actress Meera Syal and comedians Sir Billy Connolly and Dawn French. The fellowship will be presented to Wark during the Bafta Television Awards on Sunday May 11 at the Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall.
Telegraph
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Strong woman must lead BBC, says Kirsty Wark
The BBC should be led by a strong woman, Kirsty Wark has said. Calling for a 'more adventurous' choice as the next director-general (DG), she said some 'brilliant' women had been overlooked in the past and should be in the running to be Tim Davie's successor. 'I want to see a female DG very soon. I'm not saying, 'Tim, go now,' but I think it's time for a woman,' said Wark, who stepped down from Newsnight last summer after 30 years. She is this year's recipient of the Bafta Fellowship, the British Academy's highest honour. Asked why a woman had never been appointed to the top BBC role, Wark said: 'It's definitely not because there hasn't been anyone good enough. I can think of three women who would be brilliant.' She continued: 'We've got brilliant women running departments and running programmes but I think we just need to be a bit more adventurous. 'The BBC has so many other ways it's on the front foot – technology, iPlayer, BBC audio and other things – and I would really love to see a woman take hold of that.' Wark, 70, who continues to work for the BBC as a presenter of Radio 4's Front Row and The Reunion, said that the corporation needed a charismatic leader who did more than appear in public at times of crisis. She cited Greg Dyke, the director-general from 2000 to 2004, who became a household name. 'I want the DG to be a really strong public figure, someone really out there. We often only hear from the DG when they're firefighting. What we want to hear is the way they're going to deliver the best for you. 'For example, every DG is different but if you look at somebody who was really out there, I'd say Greg Dyke. [The public] knew Greg Dyke and that was terrific. 'I love the idea of walking the floor and being collegiate. Tim does that as much as possible but I do actually think we want somebody who is very open to conversations with staff all the time. 'Tim has done a really good job but I just feel: why not a woman?' Davie is expected to remain in post to negotiate the next BBC charter, which begins in January 2028. He has been the broadcaster's director-general since 2020. Wark will be presented with the Fellowship at the Bafta Television Awards on May 11, honouring her outstanding contribution to television. She said: 'This is a wonderful surprise and a great honour. Television has been my home for 40 years, both at the BBC and in independent production, and I continue to learn every day from people with awe-inspiring skills who have become treasured colleagues and dear friends.'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Strong woman must lead BBC, says Kirsty Wark
The BBC should be led by a strong woman, Kirsty Wark has said. Calling for a 'more adventurous' choice as the next director-general (DG), she said some 'brilliant' women had been overlooked in the past and should be in the running to be Tim Davie's successor. 'I want to see a female DG very soon. I'm not saying, 'Tim, go now,' but I think it's time for a woman,' said Wark, who stepped down from Newsnight last summer after 30 years. She is this year's recipient of the Bafta Fellowship, the British Academy's highest honour. Asked why a woman had never been appointed to the top BBC role, Wark said: 'It's definitely not because there hasn't been anyone good enough. I can think of three women who would be brilliant.' She continued: 'We've got brilliant women running departments and running programmes but I think we just need to be a bit more adventurous. 'The BBC has so many other ways it's on the front foot – technology, iPlayer, BBC audio and other things – and I would really love to see a woman take hold of that.' Wark, 70, who continues to work for the BBC as a presenter of Radio 4's Front Row and The Reunion, said that the corporation needed a charismatic leader who did more than appear in public at times of crisis. She cited Greg Dyke, the director-general from 2000 to 2004, who became a household name. 'I want the DG to be a really strong public figure, someone really out there. We often only hear from the DG when they're firefighting. What we want to hear is the way they're going to deliver the best for you. 'For example, every DG is different but if you look at somebody who was really out there, I'd say Greg Dyke. [The public] knew Greg Dyke and that was terrific. 'I love the idea of walking the floor and being collegiate. Tim does that as much as possible but I do actually think we want somebody who is very open to conversations with staff all the time. 'Tim has done a really good job but I just feel: why not a woman?' Davie is expected to remain in post to negotiate the next BBC charter, which begins in January 2028. He has been the broadcaster's director-general since 2020. Wark will be presented with the Fellowship at the Bafta Television Awards on May 11, honouring her outstanding contribution to television. She said: 'This is a wonderful surprise and a great honour. Television has been my home for 40 years, both at the BBC and in independent production, and I continue to learn every day from people with awe-inspiring skills who have become treasured colleagues and dear friends.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
