Deafinitely Theatre Announces New Tour For Its Adaptation Of Kathryn Cave's SOMETHING ELSE

Following its sell-out tour in 2015, Deafinitely Theatre's Artistic Director Paula Garfield today announces a new tour of its adaptation of Kathryn Cave's much-loved children's book Something Else, illustrated by Chris Riddell. Deafinitely Theatre's bilingual production for both deaf and hearing audiences has a school performance at flagship performing arts college Claremont High School Academy in Brent on 26 May, before touring to Derby Theatre, a fundraising gala at Wyndham's Theatre (invite only), and the actacentre in Bristol. Further dates will be announced soon.

This is the timeless story of a small creature who lives his life always trying to fit in but never does, because he's Something Else. Then one day a stranger turns up who wants to be friends... But does Something Else want to know someone who's not like him?

Paula Garfield said, today "I am delighted to have the opportunity to revive our production of Something Else, allowing bilingual families to come and enjoy a wonderful show together. Something Else has a vital message - that of diversity and difference, and acceptance, which strongly reflects the most positive aspects of deaf culture. At this difficult time politically in both the UK and abroad, I hope that our revival of Something Else will enable us all to gather together and joyfully celebrate our diversity."

An actor, director, workshop leader and organiser, Garfield has worked on a variety of television, film and theatre projects over the past fifteen years. In 2002 she established Deafinitely Theatre with Steven Webb and Kate Furby after becoming frustrated at the barriers that deaf actors and directors face across the arts and media. She has produced and directed many plays and worked extensively in TV, including Channel Four's Learn Sign Language, Four Fingers and a Thumb, BBC's Hands Up and Casualty, plus appearances in every series of the BBC's deaf drama, Switch.

For Deafinitely Theatre she has directed Two Chairs, Motherland, Children of a Greater God, Playing God, Double Sentence and Gold Dust. She also devised and directed The Boy and the Statue for Deafinitely at the Tricycle Theatre and on a London schools' tour. Garfield has directed two productions at Shakespeare's Globe - Love Labour's Lost, for the Globe to Globe Festival as part of Deafinitely's 10th anniversary, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Her other directing work includes Tanika's Journey (Southwark Playhouse) Grounded (Park Theatre).

Clare-Louise English plays Girl/Bird/Giraffe. Her recent theatre includes The Very Magic Flute (Krazy Kat Theatre, touring), A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Dumb Waiter (Courtyard Theatre) and Absence (Camden Fringe). She is Co-Artistic Director of Hot Coals Theatre for whom her credits include Storm in a Teacup and Finders Keepers, both of which have toured and run at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Her film work includes Colin and she played the lead in the BBC Radio 4 afternoon play The Dead House at Para.

Nadeem Islam plays Something Else. He is an actor, comedian, presenter, community facilitator and a trainee film-maker. His previous stage work includes Beyond the Canon (National Theatre) and for television, his work includes Small World. He has also worked as a presenter on programmes such as Lost Community and Up For It.

Ian Street plays Something/Rabbit/Giraffe. He was an original cast member in Threesixtys' Peter Pan, which premiered in Kensington Gardens and toured the USA, in which Ian played the part of Curly the Lost Boy for 3 years. Other theatre credits include Pinocchio (Polka Theatre), Office Party (Underbelly/ Assembly Productions), Invisible Town (Hoipolloi), The Bitches' Ball (Penny Dreadful), Happy End (Wilton's Music Hall) and The Little Prince (Edinburgh/Moscow).

This production is made by possible by the generous support of Arts Council England and Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

The Arts Council's Strategic Touring Programme aims to give people better access to quality work in a range of venues, to reach more people across the country and target places with low levels of art engagement and those that rely on touring for arts and culture.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation was established by Paul Hamlyn in 1987. Upon his death in 2001, he left most of his estate to the Foundation, creating one of the largest independent grant-making foundations in the UK. Its mission is to help people overcome disadvantage and lack of opportunity, so that they can realise their potential and enjoy fulfilling and creative lives. It has a particular interest in supporting young people and a strong belief in the importance of the arts.

Website: www.deafinitelytheatre.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/deafinitelytheatre

Twitter: www.twitter.com/DeafinitelyT

LISTINGS Something Else

Claremont High School Academy, Brent

26 May

Derby Theatre

28 May (1pm and 3:30pm)

Box Office: 01332 593939

www.derbytheatre.co.uk/

Wyndham's Theatre

30 May 2pm (not for sale, invite only)

actacentre, Bristol

1 June (1pm and 3:30pm)

Box Office: 0117 953 2448

www.acta-bristol.com/