Paula Garfield

Guest Blog: 'It Feels Like a Moment of Taking Power Back': Deaf Writer Eloise Pennycott on Politics, Dystopia and Metatheatre in Her Play BARRIER(S)
by Guest Author - Oct 20, 2025

As a deaf twenty-year-old whose main aim is to find the happy in every corner of life, I often struggle to engage with politics – especially those concerning disability rights. When I was a young teen I was much more actively engaged, speaking in parliament, contributing to campaigns, very much considering a career in that direction. I tired of that quite quickly, but have since found my political spark reignited, using theatre writing as an outlet instead. My love story Barrier(s) is the latest outcome, and I am very excited to see it off on tour.

Photos: Inside Rehearsals for Deafinitely Theatre’s BARRIER(S) by Eloise Pennycott
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 9, 2025

In new photos, go inside rehearsals for Barrier(s), the new play by Eloise Pennycott presented by Deafinitely Theatre. Starring Zoë McWhinney and Em Prendergast and directed by Paula Garfield.

Cast Set For Eloise Pennycott's BARRIER(S) at Deafinitely Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Sep 2, 2025

Artistic Director of Deafinitely Theatre Paula Garfield, MBE has announced the cast for the company's forthcoming touring production of Barrier(s) by Eloise Pennycott - Em Prendergast and Zoë McWhinney. 

Deafinitely Theatre Will Host Intensive Acting Workshop Led By Artistic Director Paula Garfield
by Stephi Wild - Jul 8, 2025

Following strong demand for their inaugural course last year, Deafinitely Theatre will host the second iteration of their 'Developing Your Acting Skills in British Sign Language (BSL)' short course.

Guest Blog: 'I Hope It Breaks The Taboo in Talking About Women’s Issues': Actor Fifi Garfield on Preparing For THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES in BSL
by Guest Author - Jul 4, 2025

I’m Fifi Garfield and I’m an actor. I’m also deaf, I was born deaf and have been using sign language as my primary source of communication all my life. I use British Sign Language - BSL - daily, hourly, every minute! It’s how I communicate with people and how I access the world.

Cast Set For THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES at Deafinitely Theatre
by Stephi Wild - May 21, 2025

Deafinitely Theatre's Artistic Director Paula Garfield MBE has announced the full cast for The Vagina Monologues by V (formerly Eve Ensler). Learn more about the upcoming show here.

Deafinitely Theatre Reveals Programming For 2025 Season; THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES and BARRIERS
by Stephi Wild - Apr 24, 2025

Artistic Director Paula Garfield has announced programming for Deafinitely Theatre’s 2025 season, with a continuing focus on championing deaf talent through bilingual productions in British Sign Language and spoken English.

Deafinitely Theatre Launches The Deaf Theatre Makers Series
by Stephi Wild - Nov 21, 2024

Deafinitely Theatre has announced the launch of a new programme for 2025 - The Deaf Theatre Makers. This brand-new initiative will consist of practical training sessions aiming to improve knowledge and confidence of aspiring deaf theatre makers.

Deafinitely Theatre Awarded National Lottery Funding For Youth Theatre Programme
by Stephi Wild - Oct 16, 2024

Deafinitely Theatre has announced they have been awarded £273,675.00 from The National Lottery to help fund the Deafinitely Youth Theatre Programme over the next five years.

Deafinitely Theatre's THE PROMISE Will Screen at Kiln Cinema This Month
by Stephi Wild - Oct 8, 2024

Deafinitely Theatre's world première production of The Promise will be streamed at Kiln Cinema on Monday 21 October – with a live Q & A taking place after the screening with Deafinitely Theatre’s Artistic Director, Paula Garfield MBE.

Imelda Staunton And More Awarded 2024 King's Birthday Honours
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 14, 2024

Each year, a number of UK citizens are selected for special distinctions in honour of the birthday of the reigning monarch. This year, a number of familiar faces from the arts world have made the list.

Review: THE PROMISE, Birmingham Rep
by Laura Lott - Apr 10, 2024

New play The Promise, which has its world premiere at Birmingham Rep this week, looks at the intersectionality of dementia and deafness through the experiences of one family, and highlights the urgent need for more understanding and care options.

Full Cast Announced For Deafinitely Theatre's World Première Of THE PROMISE 
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 8, 2024

Deafinitely Theatre, Birmingham Rep and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre have announced the full cast for the world première of The Promise written by Deafinitely Theatre's Artistic Director Paula Garfield and Melissa Mostyn. The Promise is a new play also directed by Garfield in the company's renowned highly visual style combining British Sign Language and Spoken English.

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and Deafinitely Theatre Launch BSL Acting Intensive Course
by Stephi Wild - Feb 2, 2024

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and Deafinitely Theatre, in collaboration with Graeae Theatre Company, have announced the launch of a new, 5-day BSL Acting Intensive course in July 2024.

Review: CAN BEARS SKI?, The Arts Depot
by Christiana Rose - Jan 23, 2024

Can Bears Ski? explores the experiences of both hearing and Deaf characters and promotes familiarising relevant language such as ‘hearing’, ‘Deaf’, ‘British Sign Language’, ‘fingerspelling’, ‘lipreading’, ‘hearing aid’ – as well as modelling appropriate language and promoting positive representation, as advocated by the Deaf community.

Deafinitely Theatre Will Launch New Streaming Service Deafinitely Digital With a Live Screening and Q&A
by Stephi Wild - Nov 20, 2023

Deafinitely Theatre, the UK's first deaf led theatre company, is launching their new digital streaming service Deafinitely Digital which will host some of their most celebrated productions to date.  

Guest Blog: Tina Williams, Artistic Director of Pied Piper Theatre on Empathy, Understanding and the Beauty of Sign Language in CAN BEARS SKI?
by Guest Author - Nov 16, 2023

I first heard about the book Can Bears Ski? on the BBC news. I thought a play inspired by the story of Little Bear, who was born deaf, would be a perfect chance to bring awareness to our young audience, developing empathy and greater understanding of diversity in the world around them, in a delightful and fun way.

Cast Set for UK Tour of CAN BEARS SKI?
by Stephi Wild - Nov 3, 2023

The Pied Piper Theatre Company and Deafinitely Theatre have announced the full cast of the Can Bears Ski? bythe award-winning poet Raymond Antrobus in a new adaptation for the stage by Tina Williams.

FANGIRLS, MINORITY REPORT, and More Set For Lyric Hammersmith's Spring/Summer 2024 Season
by Stephi Wild - Sep 25, 2023

The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has announced its Spring/Summer 2024 Season, opening April 2024 with Minority Report. Learn more about the full season and how to get tickets here!

Deafinitely Theatre Announces THE PROMISE A Story Of A Deaf Woman Living With Dementia
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 22, 2023

DEAFINITELY THEATRE announces 'The Promise,' a story of a deaf woman living with dementia. Co-produced with Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, this new piece of writing is directed by Paula Garfield and written by Melissa Mostyn. Performances run from April to May 2024.