Deaf Explorer are delighted that Mark Smith’s application to Arts Council England to R & D Hut 8 has been successful! Read below to learn more about the project:
My research inspired by code breaker & father of Computer Science Alan Turing. He is focus point & middle for four different ideas. I want to explore the artistic side of Alan Turing. Firstly, I want to build up a three-way relationship between Maths, Movement & Music. The 3 M’s. To incorporate Alan Turing’s language into a technical choreography. I will work with Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy OBE FRSI & composer Michael England. In 1941 Alan Turing played the first ever synthesiser, Michael will sample this recording & reinvent it. Secondly I want to collaborate with Caroline Parker CBE. Caroline signs with emotion & provides the expertise so that my choreography can reveal in sign language the poetic writing of Alan Turing when writing to the love of his life Christopher Marcom, who sadly died of illness. This loss in 1930 motivated Turing, he longed to understand what had become of Christopher, of that essential aspect of him: mind. Turing thought of the mind as an intelligent machine. Thirdly, I will explore Turing’s private relationship with machine & work with William Elliot who will audio describe a silent dance that constructs a large physical human machine. Fourthly, Turing Law. I will merge dance & physical theatre to expose Turing’s discrimination. Turin agreed to be chemically castrated, rather than go to prison for his homosexuality, depression led him to bite a poison apple. I will gather older gay men’s stories & views about pardons & work them into dance.
Deaf Explorer are delighted that Mark Smith’s application to Arts Council England to R & D Hut 8 has been successful !
My research inspired by code breaker & father of Computer Science Alan Turing. He is focus point & middle for four different ideas. I want to explore the artistic side of Alan Turing. Firstly, I want to build up a three-way relationship between Maths, Movement & Music. The 3 M’s. To incorporate Alan Turing’s language into a technical choreography. I will work with Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy OBE FRSI & composer Michael England. In 1941 Alan Turing played the first ever synthesiser, Michael will sample this recording & reinvent it. Secondly I want to collaborate with Caroline Parker CBE. Caroline signs with emotion & provides the expertise so that my choreography can reveal in sign language the poetic writing of Alan Turing when writing to the love of his life Christopher Marcom, who sadly died of illness. This loss in 1930 motivated Turing, he longed to understand what had become of Christopher, of that essential aspect of him: mind. Turing thought of the mind as an intelligent machine. Thirdly, I will explore Turing’s private relationship with machine & work with William Elliot who will audio describe a silent dance that constructs a large physical human machine. Fourthly, Turing Law. I will merge dance & physical theatre to expose Turing’s discrimination. Turin agreed to be chemically castrated, rather than go to prison for his homosexuality, depression led him to bite a poison apple. I will gather older gay men’s stories & views about pardons & work them into dance.
Aims of the R & D: Rinkoo Barpaga will tell the story of Bubble and Butch and reveal the vulnerability of young deaf people. The bullying and discrimination stops when Bubble is asked to look after a mean looking dog called Butch. The dog is a metaphor for Bubbles access, acting like a superhero at every encounter in the hearing world. Butch transforms Bubbles life for the better.
Rinkoo Barpaga directs Michael Boland & Leigh Blake
Second phase of R & D in two parts, in January 2018 film shoot in West Bromwich with Film mentor Justin Edgar of 104 Films and ArkMedia based in Birmingham. The films edited by Phil Arkinstall in February.
Justin Edgar 104 Films supports Rinkoo Barpaga with Filming in West Bromwich
Film Actors:
Michael Boland
Sam Cole
Adam Breeze
Yann Charlot
Kharis Smith
Brandon Daniel
Sharing Event 22 March 2018
In February the sharing event on 23 March was promoted using flyer, social media, and email, including Mailchimp. Tickets available on Eventbrite in February, by mid March only 4 tickets available out of 90 available, Three presentations at 4 pm, 7 pm and 8.30 pm.
Attended by Industry experts:
Tessa Walker, associate director at Birmingham REP, told Rinkoo Barpaga that show Brilliant, Rinkoo will be meeting with Daniel Bailey and Tessa Walker in coming months to discuss future of Bubble and Butch.
Kate Hall of Jumped Up Theatre, wants to support further development of Bubble and Butch, and bring show to Peterborough, Kate is also part of a Touring network.
Attenborough Arts Centre would like to bring Bubble and Butch to Leicester
Clare Marshall – Arts Council England Relationship Manager for Theatre and Dance (East Midlands, former programmer at mac, wants to see the production of Bubble & Butch
Amy Sutters – Battersea Arts Centre – Producing Assistant (Cook Up & BAC Moving Museum) was unable to attend requested video
Ruby Glaskin Creative Producer Derby Theatre requested video, however she has left company will send to Producer Emily Coleman and Assistant Producer Daniel Nicholas and to Ruby’s email
Leigh Blake (Troy) Beefy (Butch) & Michael Boland (Bubble)
Birmingham REP March 15 – 22 R & D
Rinkoo Barpaga & Daniel Bailey at the Birmingham REP *
Creative team:
Composer/sound design by Chris Bartholomew
Stage manager Anna Lambert, who brought her invaluable knowledge and experience of working at Birmingham REP
Actors: Michael Boland & Leigh Blake, Leigh brought Urban Sign Language to the stage.
Dramaturge: Birmingham REP’s Daniel Bailey
BSL Interpreters and Subtitles: Rachael Veazey & Emma Dunleavy
Producers Alan McLean & Rachael Veazey (Deaf Explorer)
Rinkoo Bargaga evaluates the key aims of the R & D
Rinkoo answers questions that evaluate the aims that were set out in the agreement with Unlimited. The second half of the R & D for Bubble of Butch focused on creating the first few scenes of the play, and the professional development of Rinkoo Barpaga as a new and exciting theatre maker.
Question? Do you think you have developed a unique and personal style:
Question? How did the filmmaking help storytelling ?
Question? What did the audiences think of the filmmaking integrated with theatre?
Question? What did you do with the film script in the studio?
Question? How did the script get used on the shoot in West Bromwich ?
Question? What was useful about the storyboard or not?
Question? Was working with the dog what you expected?
Question? What was it like working with actors who had all the language skills and none of the acting skills?
Question? Did you like the surtitles and translation of urban sign language?
Question? Did you want to explore audio description?
Question? Was there any unexpected outcomes R & D at Birmingham REP?
Question: Did the R & D bring anything unexpected to your creative process?
Feedback from Audience
Troy (Leigh Blake) persuades Bubble (Michael Boland) to take Butch (Beefy)
Rinkoo Barpaga asked audiences to complete evaluations forms, here are quotes. They convey that integrating theatre and film a very positive experience for deaf audiences. Rinkoo proposed that Bubble and Butch used Film as this is very popular with deaf audiences and using deaf actors because they very popular with deaf audiences. The feedback indicates strongly that this was an excellent way to bring deaf audiences to the theatre. Using Urban Sign Language also brought a young deaf diverse (Indian, Black and Pakistani) audience all were new to the theatre.
Feedback mainly by Deaf people who use British Sign language based in Midlands.
Audience and prop of flashing light for door bell for when Troy knocks on Bubble’s door
I thought it was a great show
Film and theatre integration worked well
Short but it gave a powerful message
Great acting
Mixture of filming was also a great idea
It was so fantastic and thank youenjoy
Fab please develop film and theatre
Like portraying depression, Deaf people need hearing community to realise this
Hope it goes to film
Acting fab
Think so good
Really enjoyed the piece and can’t wait to see where it’s taken next
Really nice funny moments, but also really enjoyed the most serious moments, dealing with isolation, Really moving as well
Great to see all deaf cast on stage
More representation is needed on stage of Deaf actors
Rinkoo did some really good work with these actors, you can tell they were untrained
It would be interesting to explore more integration with film while acting is taking place on stage
Opening scene was effective, has an introduction to the isolation.
Perhaps could have explored more and the differences once the dog was there too?
Overall enjoyable and I would definitely watch a full-length production
First start of the show it was a bit lost/slow but in the end I got it, It’s good way to show depression or lonely et cetera, but overall it was very clear to understand everything – Well done you and all other team
Please grow and get your dream, keep it up
I love the idea you get new raw faces to get involved
Great start I really have faith for your future
I thought it was really clear.
Simple story but so affective!
Loved the mix of film and theatre,
The captions were less conspicuous that way as well I enjoyed watching and I’m excited to see where it goes!
It’s good show – I like to know what happens with dog
Well done
Excellent can’t wait to opening-night
Strong sense of theme: Deafness/loneliness
Very still performance – quiet – Draws you in
Got a sense of being real – involving local people and environment
At this stage difficult to see where the storyline could expand as it does have a beginning middle and works as a small performance
Film and drama could be used to support further discussion re-mental health within schools or therapeutic settings
Leigh Blake explores puppets
Some of the puppetry with the dog was obscured by the table, which was a shame
Well done to all involved
Rather slow start but much better when bubble starts acting
I would like to know what bubble is thinking on the settee
So we see the subtitle of what bubble is thinking also how he feels while he is depressed
I thought it was a unique show so fresh and tackle fresh issues like deaf, mental health, and obesity
Good raise awareness and reflect true what happened in society
Would love see development and more on the issues
I love the idea dog involved the show it like therapy
Also cinematic and theatre work well, would love to see more in the future
Well done great director, set and actor
Good acting cast
simple story wish to see more acting from beefy good direction lead
Loved the film and live combo
I would like to see the full production, really interesting use of film in the production
I think you could take advantage of this more to explore loneliness isolation in the deaf community if your camera point of view POV shot was from the dog, observing the central characters – you could find a real intimacy through the use of film in the production – well done
Deaf person asked for a performance that is understood by both parties deaf and hearing
Need visual action by both parties that every audience will understand need to merge, not just spoken, Subtitled was perfect example
Pretty good
Keep up the good work
Actors Feedback
Leigh Blake describes use of Urban Sign Language & character Troy
Mike Boland describes learning in the R & D week at Birmingham REP
Aims of the R & D: Rinkoo Barpaga will tell the story of Bubble and Butch and reveal the vulnerability of young deaf people. The bullying and discrimination stops when Bubble is asked to look after a mean looking dog called Butch. The dog is a metaphor for Bubbles access, acting like a superhero at every encounter in the hearing world. Butch transforms Bubbles life for the better.
Rinkoo Barpaga directs Michael Boland & Leigh Blake
Second phase of R & D in two parts, in January 2018 film shoot in West Bromwich with Film mentor Justin Edgar of 104 Films and ArkMedia based in Birmingham. The films edited by Phil Arkinstall in February.
Justin Edgar 104 Films supports Rinkoo Barpaga with Filming in West Bromwich
Film Actors:
Michael Boland
Sam Cole
Adam Breeze
Yann Charlot
Kharis Smith
Brandon Daniel
Sharing Event 22 March 2018
In February the sharing event on 23 March was promoted using flyer, social media, and email, including Mailchimp. Tickets available on Eventbrite in February, by mid March only 4 tickets available out of 90 available, Three presentations at 4 pm, 7 pm and 8.30 pm.
Attended by Industry experts:
Tessa Walker, associate director at Birmingham REP, told Rinkoo Barpaga that show Brilliant, Rinkoo will be meeting with Daniel Bailey and Tessa Walker in coming months to discuss future of Bubble and Butch.
Kate Hall of Jumped Up Theatre, wants to support further development of Bubble and Butch, and bring show to Peterborough, Kate is also part of a Touring network.
Attenborough Arts Centre would like to bring Bubble and Butch to Leicester
Clare Marshall – Arts Council England Relationship Manager for Theatre and Dance (East Midlands, former programmer at mac, wants to see the production of Bubble & Butch
Amy Sutters – Battersea Arts Centre – Producing Assistant (Cook Up & BAC Moving Museum) was unable to attend requested video
Ruby Glaskin Creative Producer Derby Theatre requested video, however she has left company will send to Producer Emily Coleman and Assistant Producer Daniel Nicholas and to Ruby’s email
Leigh Blake (Troy) Beefy (Butch) & Michael Boland (Bubble)
Birmingham REP March 15 – 22 R & D
Rinkoo Barpaga & Daniel Bailey at the Birmingham REP *
Creative team:
Composer/sound design by Chris Bartholomew
Stage manager Anna Lambert, who brought her invaluable knowledge and experience of working at Birmingham REP
Actors: Michael Boland & Leigh Blake, Leigh brought Urban Sign Language to the stage.
Dramaturge: Birmingham REP’s Daniel Bailey
BSL Interpreters and Subtitles: Rachael Veazey & Emma Dunleavy
Producers Alan McLean & Rachael Veazey (Deaf Explorer)
Rinkoo Bargaga evaluates the key aims of the R & D
Rinkoo answers questions that evaluate the aims that were set out in the agreement with Unlimited. The second half of the R & D for Bubble of Butch focused on creating the first few scenes of the play, and the professional development of Rinkoo Barpaga as a new and exciting theatre maker.
Question? Do you think you have developed a unique and personal style:
Question? How did the filmmaking help storytelling ?
Question? What did the audiences think of the filmmaking integrated with theatre?
Question? What did you do with the film script in the studio?
Question? How did the script get used on the shoot in West Bromwich ?
Question? What was useful about the storyboard or not?
Question? Was working with the dog what you expected?
Question? What was it like working with actors who had all the language skills and none of the acting skills?
Question? Did you like the surtitles and translation of urban sign language?
Question? Did you want to explore audio description?
Question? Was there any unexpected outcomes R & D at Birmingham REP?
Question: Did the R & D bring anything unexpected to your creative process?
Feedback from Audience
Troy (Leigh Blake) persuades Bubble (Michael Boland) to take Butch (Beefy)
Rinkoo Barpaga asked audiences to complete evaluations forms, here are quotes. They convey that integrating theatre and film a very positive experience for deaf audiences. Rinkoo proposed that Bubble and Butch used Film as this is very popular with deaf audiences and using deaf actors because they very popular with deaf audiences. The feedback indicates strongly that this was an excellent way to bring deaf audiences to the theatre. Using Urban Sign Language also brought a young deaf diverse (Indian, Black and Pakistani) audience all were new to the theatre.
Feedback mainly by Deaf people who use British Sign language based in Midlands.
Audience and prop of flashing light for door bell for when Troy knocks on Bubble’s door
I thought it was a great show
Film and theatre integration worked well
Short but it gave a powerful message
Great acting
Mixture of filming was also a great idea
It was so fantastic and thank youenjoy
Fab please develop film and theatre
Like portraying depression, Deaf people need hearing community to realise this
Hope it goes to film
Acting fab
Think so good
Really enjoyed the piece and can’t wait to see where it’s taken next
Really nice funny moments, but also really enjoyed the most serious moments, dealing with isolation, Really moving as well
Great to see all deaf cast on stage
More representation is needed on stage of Deaf actors
Rinkoo did some really good work with these actors, you can tell they were untrained
It would be interesting to explore more integration with film while acting is taking place on stage
Opening scene was effective, has an introduction to the isolation.
Perhaps could have explored more and the differences once the dog was there too?
Overall enjoyable and I would definitely watch a full-length production
First start of the show it was a bit lost/slow but in the end I got it, It’s good way to show depression or lonely et cetera, but overall it was very clear to understand everything – Well done you and all other team
Please grow and get your dream, keep it up
I love the idea you get new raw faces to get involved
Great start I really have faith for your future
I thought it was really clear.
Simple story but so affective!
Loved the mix of film and theatre,
The captions were less conspicuous that way as well I enjoyed watching and I’m excited to see where it goes!
It’s good show – I like to know what happens with dog
Well done
Excellent can’t wait to opening-night
Strong sense of theme: Deafness/loneliness
Very still performance – quiet – Draws you in
Got a sense of being real – involving local people and environment
At this stage difficult to see where the storyline could expand as it does have a beginning middle and works as a small performance
Film and drama could be used to support further discussion re-mental health within schools or therapeutic settings
Leigh Blake explores puppets
Some of the puppetry with the dog was obscured by the table, which was a shame
Well done to all involved
Rather slow start but much better when bubble starts acting
I would like to know what bubble is thinking on the settee
So we see the subtitle of what bubble is thinking also how he feels while he is depressed
I thought it was a unique show so fresh and tackle fresh issues like deaf, mental health, and obesity
Good raise awareness and reflect true what happened in society
Would love see development and more on the issues
I love the idea dog involved the show it like therapy
Also cinematic and theatre work well, would love to see more in the future
Well done great director, set and actor
Good acting cast
simple story wish to see more acting from beefy good direction lead
Loved the film and live combo
I would like to see the full production, really interesting use of film in the production
I think you could take advantage of this more to explore loneliness isolation in the deaf community if your camera point of view POV shot was from the dog, observing the central characters – you could find a real intimacy through the use of film in the production – well done
Deaf person asked for a performance that is understood by both parties deaf and hearing
Need visual action by both parties that every audience will understand need to merge, not just spoken, Subtitled was perfect example
Pretty good
Keep up the good work
Actors Feedback
Leigh Blake describes use of Urban Sign Language & character Troy
Mike Boland describes learning in the R & D week at Birmingham REP
Rinkoo Barpaga is directing a week of R & D, transforming his film script called Bubble and Butch into cinematic theatre, merging film and drama.
With generous support from Birmingham REP and with his Unlimited R & D Commission, Rinkoo is expanding his creative force into theatre making and really enjoying the opportunity of directing actors and understanding how to make theatre with the input and support of Daniel Bailey from Birmingham REP.
Bubble & Butch by Rinkoo Barpaga
The bullying and discrimination stops when Bubble is asked to look after a mean-looking dog called Butch. Acting like a superhero at every encounter in the hearing world, Butch transforms Bubble’s life for the better. In a highly visual style – a fusion of film and live performance utilising British Urban Sign Language – Rinkoo Barpaga reveals through Bubble and Butch the creativity and vulnerability of young, diverse Deaf people tackling double discrimination and isolation in the hearing & Deaf world.
Billy Read & Ariel Fung, received an Unlimited international research and development commission in 2017. Over the summer months they have worked at mac with a team of creatives to explore a new dance show, merging sign language and street dance called, Somebody’s Watching Me. It is a show that aims to appeal to young audiences. Set in a dystopian future, where social justice has gone & tyranny prevails; everyone is under surveillance. Deaf people who use sign language are more at risk as everything they communicate can be ‘heard’ on camera. Two deaf citizens decide to lead a rebellion against authority and fight for their rights of freedom. The focus of the story is on two Deaf citizens who grew up with different experiences of being Deaf in a hearing world. They meet and fall in love, but have different views on being Deaf, and different opinions on controversial Implant technology that makes a Deaf person ‘hearing’…
Billy Read first performed with Hong Kong-based Ariel Fung Ching-Wai in 2012 as a result of winning a Deaf explorer travel grant for Deaf artists. Ariel Fung dances with Fun Forrest, a Deaf street dance company. Billy Read wanted to collaborate with Ariel because she brings an authentic cultural viewpoint. Living amid the tension between Hong Kong’s glittering commerce and China’s authoritarianism, she can naturally contribute to a fictional story about a dystopia. Ariel is a trained dancer studying Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary, Billy is self-taught. This research and development aimed to enable their respective dance styles to evolve into a new form of choreography that challenges dance and includes International Sign Language and facial expression. They are both leaders in the deaf world and hope this show will bring young Deaf and hard of hearing audiences into theatres in the UK and overseas.
Artistically produced by mac, Birmingham & made in collaboration with talented & accomplished team that includes Benji Reid – Dance Dramaturge, Matty Gurney – Visual Vernacular, Nathan Marsh – Hip Hop Choreography, Adam Rutherford – Assistant Choreographer, Tina Barnes – Story Writer, Chris Bartholomew Sound design & Composition Nao Masada Visualising sound, Chris Cuthbert – Digital Content.
Billy Read & Ariel Fung, received an Unlimited international research and development commission in 2017. Over the summer months they have worked at mac with a team of creatives to explore a new dance show, merging sign language and street dance called, “Somebody’s Watching Me“. It is a show that aims to appeal to young audiences. Set in a dystopian future, where social justice has gone & tyranny prevails; everyone is under surveillance. Deaf people who use sign language are more at risk as everything they communicate can be ‘heard’ on camera. Two deaf citizens decide to lead a rebellion against authority and fight for their rights of freedom. The focus of the story is on two Deaf citizens who grew up with different experiences of being Deaf in a hearing world. They meet and fall in love, but have different views on being Deaf, and different opinions on controversial Implant technology that makes a Deaf person ‘hearing’…
Billy Read first performed with Hong Kong-based Ariel Fung Ching-Wai in 2012 as a result of winning a Deaf explorer travel grant for Deaf artists. Ariel Fung dances with Fun Forrest, a Deaf street dance company. Billy Read wanted to collaborate with Ariel because she brings an authentic cultural viewpoint. Living amid the tension between Hong Kong’s glittering commerce and China’s authoritarianism, she can naturally contribute to a fictional story about a dystopia. Ariel is a trained dancer studying Ballet, Jazz and Contemporary, Billy is self-taught. This research and development aimed to enable their respective dance styles to evolve into a new form of choreography that challenges dance and includes International Sign Language and facial expression. They are both leaders in the deaf world and hope this show will bring young Deaf and hard of hearing audiences into theatres in the UK and overseas.
Artistically produced by mac, Birmingham & made in collaboration with talented & accomplished team that includes Benji Reid – Dance Dramaturge, Matty Gurney – Visual Vernacular, Nathan Marsh – Hip Hop Choreography, Adam Rutherford – Assistant Choreographer, Tina Barnes – Story Writer, Chris Bartholomew Sound design & Composition Nao Masada Visualising sound, Chris Cuthbert – Digital Content.
Rinkoo Barpaga is one of the four featured artists demonstrating ”Creative Multilingualism” and “Languages and the Creative Economy”
You will have a chance to see the Exhibition in Birmingham in November 2018. Find out more about what people are saying on the video by visiting the webpage
Rinkoo Barpaga is one of the four featured artists demonstrating ”Creative Multilingualism” and “Languages and the Creative Economy”
You will have a chance to see the Exhibition in Birmingham in November 2018. Find out more about what people are saying on the video by visiting the webpage
Donna Williams is a deaf poet who uses English and British Sign Language. Working with such different languages has inspired a deep interest in translation and how her work can be made accessible to hearing and deaf audiences. She has performed at festivals around the UK including the Edinburgh Fringe, as well as in America and Brazil. Most recently, she has performed at the Albert Hall with BBC Orchestra of Wales, having composed poems in response to their pieces of music and at The Barbican as part of Jess Thom’s “Touretteshero Barbican Takeover”. Several of her poems have been published, most recently in Stairs and Whispers, an anthology of poems by deaf and disabled poets, and in Magma issue 69, released winter 2017. Her poems cover many themes, from bilingualism to identity, to her beloved cats.
Poem in BSL and English by Donna Williams Performed by Donna Williams A film by Sandra Alland and Ania Urbanowska
Deaf Explorer CIC 