The Singer

The Singer is a bold, new, thrilling piece of gig-theatre about Joe, a deaf artist who “sings” with his hands, and Andy, a washed-up musician hungry for a comeback. Joe experiences music viscerally and physically, feeling rhythm through his body and crafting lyrics that pulse with life and exhilarating originality. When their unlikely creative partnership sparks something extraordinary, ambition and belonging collide. But as prejudice and the music industry’s ableist blind spots close in, their bond is pushed to breaking point.

Returning to the role of Joe is deaf artist and award-winning co-creator of the original short film, Jamie Rea [(We indulge in) a bit of roll play, Birds of Paradise Theatre Company]. Taking on the role of Andy is actor musician Dylan Wood who is currently starring in Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Once and starred in Hadestown on the West End. They will be joined by Hannah Jarrett-Scott, known for her previous roles in the Olivier Award winning Pride and Prejudice (sort of) and Stand and Deliver, and deaf actor Petre Dobre, creator of several works at Macrobert Arts Centre, who will both be portraying the role of an Oracle and myriad other characters.

This stage production evolved from the 20-minute short film ‘The Singer’, co-written by Cora Bissett and Jamie Rea, produced by Laura McBride, Lothian Films and James Heath, MTP, and commissioned by Screen Scotland via Short Circuit. Premiering at EIFF 2023, the film went on to be selected for BFI, where it was shortlisted for Best Short, as well as Glasgow Film Festival, Hollywood Deaf Film Festival and the UK’s largest deaf film festival, Deaf Fest, where it was nominated for Best Short Film and won Jamie Rea the Best Actor award.