Deaf As A Post, Baron’s Court Theatre Review
Goody (Shaun Blaney), Chuckie (Nuala McGowan), Hamish (Victoria Johnston) in Deaf as a Post. Photo by Rosamund Gravelle
Reviewed by Bronagh for Theatre and Tonic.
*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review
Content warnings – strong language, violence, warfare.
Deaf as a Post is described as dystopian, unique and personal, an exploration of hearing loss and the importance of communication. Deaf as a Post certainly did cover these things, and although promising, it settled at ‘average’ at best for me.
The underlying message is undeniably important and cleverly conveyed; communication is extremely important, especially with anybody whose life is affected by hearing loss. The deaf community have really come to the forefront of society of late, and for all of the right reasons. Take a look back at Rose Ayling’s prize-winning silent performance on Strictly Come Dancing, which paid a very emotional tribute to the deaf community. You likely don’t realise just how impacted people who are hard of hearing are until it’s literally being performed right in front of you.
I did, unfortunately, find Deaf as a Post to be quite disjointed and it took me a little while to ‘get’ what was going on. All of a sudden we were in a zombie infested warzone with soldiers brandishing guns – where did that come from? We were talking about flat whites a moment ago – what did I miss. At times it was hard to figure out if this was a parody of a zombie movie or an actual serious tale, or perhaps a mix of the two? I understand that the show wants to explore a ‘world overwhelmed by noise’ which is reflected in soundbites of phrases we usually hear on social media. Perhaps more obvious soundbites could have been used, the only one that really resonated with me was regarding ‘those immigrants’ and regarding a ‘new virus’.
I guess regardless it all still goes back to the crux of the show, which is difficulties related to hearing loss. Soldier ‘Goody’ faces challenges in this warzone owing to the fact he has a hearing aid, from battery issues to them being damaged by jumping into the Thames. We see him mishear words and phrases, as well as hearing sign language as ‘wave-y hands’.
I did really like the lighting used, and how it suited the mood and scene. From the greeny – blue tinged lights when Goody is swimming in the Thames, to the disco lights of a club when Daft Punk is blaring, the lighting is overall very impressive and a great part of the show.
I thought the cast of Deaf as a Post were very good, and very talented. Not only does Shaun Blaney play Goody as well as other roles, he also wrote the show. Victoria Johnston and Nuala McGowan also excelled in their multiple roles, all in all a very impressive watch.
Overall I just couldn’t gel with Deaf as a Post, despite really appreciating the message being delivered. There is no doubt that it didn’t have its good parts, but it was just slightly too disjointed for me to enjoy fully.
At the Barons Court Theatre until 20th April 2024.
★ ★.5
