Playing in London, between 18th Sept and 13rd Oct 2018 (a week after World Suicide Prevention Day,, on 10th Sept www.iasp.info, and World Mental Health Day on 10th Oct https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day), Deafinitely Theatre possibly picked the best of times to launch their newest production: Psychosis 4.48, (http://www.newdiorama.com/whats-on/448-psychosis).
This works for the broadening of mental health awareness in the D/deaf community, as well as creating more D/deaf awareness in the mainstream fields.
4.48 Psychosis is the last play written by Sarah Kane before she took her own life. The play was staged for the first time in 2000, about 18 months after Kane passed away. Since then the script has reached several theaters around the world, adapted in several languages and variations.
4.48 Psychosis is the last play written by Sarah Kane before she took her own life. The play was staged for the first time in 2000, about 18 months after Kane passed away. Since then the script has reached several theaters around the world, adapted in several languages and variations.
For the first time this play is produced primarily for the D/deaf public, whilst remaining also accessible to the hearing audiences. It offers a combination of voice, captions, BSL (British Sign Language) and VV (Visual Vernacular); just how ideally every play should be delivered, for my liking.
With this said, note to be added is that there still are times of abstractness where language is a tumultuous stream of thoughts and emotions. at times meaningful, at times senseless, just the same way the scattered mind often becomes during psychotic episodes.
To contrast the rambling words, the beautiful visual bursting of feelings and emotions expressed in the acting, fully immerse the senses and attention of the spectators. The constant turmoil of emotions is so vividly expressed, whether it is anger, paranoia, frustration, the anguish of the mind can be sensed almost incessantly for the full length of the play.
Deafinitely Theatre's Director, Paula Garfield, has bravely produced a very innovative version of this play, casting two hearing (Jim Fish, Matt Kyle) and two Deaf (Adam Bassett, Brian Duffy) actors.
Like well-defined yin & yang elements, clearly doubled up by two on stage, we experience the dark and the light forces, the warm and the cold, the passive and the active, and the female and male ones, although there is no absolute gender referencing in this.
Deafinitely Theatre's Director, Paula Garfield, has bravely produced a very innovative version of this play, casting two hearing (Jim Fish, Matt Kyle) and two Deaf (Adam Bassett, Brian Duffy) actors.
Like well-defined yin & yang elements, clearly doubled up by two on stage, we experience the dark and the light forces, the warm and the cold, the passive and the active, and the female and male ones, although there is no absolute gender referencing in this.
There are times when all these characters are really manifesting the natural cacophony of personalities within one same individual as in an altered, anomalous state. It’s even striking seeing a seemingly perfectly paired couple in appearance, with Fish and Bassett on stage, especially when, as if swapping roles, the fine line of differences between the Doctor and the patient momentarily disappear.
Brian Duffy, an award-winning artist, filmmaker, physical and Visual Vernacular performer, offers glimpses of the exceptional bouts of the manic force; that supernatural energy that the simple body almost finds impossible to bear and contain, while the mind is taken over by the shadows of a twisting brain.
Brian Duffy, an award-winning artist, filmmaker, physical and Visual Vernacular performer, offers glimpses of the exceptional bouts of the manic force; that supernatural energy that the simple body almost finds impossible to bear and contain, while the mind is taken over by the shadows of a twisting brain.
From a survivor of psychiatry/ex-patient point of view, I couldn't fail to sense the claustrophobic and oppressive feeling of being locked into that sickly-sterile space; the uneasiness of dealing with often fake-and-emotionally-absent or domineering-hostile members of staff (tip: this can never be a welcomed care attitude that gain success - not generalising either neither here, as many nurses are very caring indeed), and the warm camaraderie of peers, going thought the same ordeal.
There is not a right or wrong interpretation of the play of course. Each viewer will take in what they capture more strongly out of it, with possibly very differing responses and emotions stirred among survivors/patients, mental health professionals, carers, family members and/or friend of a patient. Something tells me that possibly everyone fits in one or more of these short categories these days...
Massive congratulations to Deafinitely Theatre for touching such a delicate subject! Especially since mental illness is still covered by stigma, ignorance and neglect in both, the D/deaf and hearing worlds alike. Also of relevant importance is the necessary action towards breaking those barriers where men, often more than women, are so reluctant to disclose, deal, or ask for help, when experiencing emotional anguish and turmoil and life difficulties.
A series of post-show Talks & Discussions have been planned, hosted by Deafinitely Theatre Director Paula Garfield, joined by academics and professionals in the deaf mental health field (FREE, BSL Interpreted events www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/deafinitely-theatre-10641135155).
For more information about Deafinitely Theatre 4.48 Psychosis www.deafinitelytheatre.co.uk/blog/the-448-production
DEAFNESS, COMMUNICATION & MENTAL HEALTH
There are many reasons that may trigger mental uneasiness in anyone, such as anxiety, depression and stress. It's fundamental that everyone takes the right precautions to take care of his or her wellbeing and mental health, just as we care about our physical health. Better seek for appropriate help when required, as there are plenty of gentle ways to take of ourselves and shift these phases, just by being more mindful of our lifestyle.
However more profound life experiences marked by severe trauma, abuse or neglect, if not dealt with the adequate care, can lead to signs and development of mental illness.
Some mental illness seems to be socially produced, mostly due to the inequalities of life conditions that people experience. There are also a myriad of symptoms masquerading and often being (mis)diagnosed as mental illnesses, when the root cause might have an emotional, physical or spiritual origin. It is not just "all in your head".Drugs and alcohol abuse can also be triggers. Some people forget that prescribed medications are also drugs. With the play touching the delicate topic of suicide and self-harm, it is worth considering that very often the original cause of some difficulties could be the side effect of some medications. Majority of psychiatric medications also affect the brain, having very diverse responses in different people, and over prolonged periods of times. Please consider expanding this important link www.april.org.uk
People generally ignore or downside the importance of hearing in ageing and how it affects people wellbeing. Apparently there's links of people manifesting signs of dementia as their hearing deteriorates while ageing. Isn’t this alarming?Apparently by the age of 70, 70% of people have hearing loss. See www.scie.org.uk/dementia/living-with-dementia/sensory-loss/hearing-loss.asp and www.bmj.com/content/350/bmj.h3029/rr No wonders if many elderly people live in isolation, as often it's due also to their difficulties in hearing.
Other than age related, deafness may be originated from a multitude of causes. It can be either congenital, hereditary or acquired through life in an accident or due to an illness. Then we have the Deaf and the deaf. Anyone wanting to expand that (why not?), here there’s some dedicated description for it www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/opinion/d_or_d_whos_deaf_and_whos_deaf.shtml The rest is all variable uncertainties, in my opinion ;)
There certainly is a higher incidence of mental health distress suffered by D/deaf people of any age, as in many occasions these end up living in abusive relationships, experiencing exclusion, isolation and discrimination. The language/communication barriers generally cause these issues, especially when adjustments necessary in schools or work places are not taken into account.
Sadly bullying and discrimination are often experienced since younger ages, but this can either be avoided and prevented. NDCS (National Deaf Children’s Society) is a good place to start to contribute towards a better World for those perhaps needing some deaf awareness www.ndcs.org.uk/family_support/communication/deaf_awareness/
In an ideal world everyone would be a fluent signer, not just to be able to sign with a Deaf person, but really for the beauty of it, as it is a fully expressive form of communication. Among other things, the advantages of using a signed language, rather than speaking, offer the chances to communicate in: noisy places, even far apart across a large rooms; through windows; underwater; while eating/with a full mouth and more!
It is fundamental that everyone does his or her part in taking action towards improving everyday life. It’s not only going to benefit our own wellbeing; society at large can function better, when fair awareness and responsibilities are efficiently taken into account.
Last December the United Nations declared 23 September International Day of Sign Languages wfdeaf.org/news/un-23-sept-as-international-day-of-sign-languages/... so officially this year International Day of Sign Languages was celebrated. Just passed, but it's always time for non-signers to learn some fingerspelling, just to get started for example!
To understand more about Psychosis see: www.ispsuk.org If you are feeling suicidal or know of someone who needs help, browse Help to find a crisis centre anywhere in the world www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/
The Samaritans offer a round the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year port of support, available via phone, e-mail and slow mail and at local branches. If you need a response immediately, it's best to call them on the phone (FREE to call). You don't have to be suicidal to call for a chat www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you
NHS 111 can also be useful for emergencies of various natures. It also offers a BSL interpreter service and the typetalk or textphone facility www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care/nhs-111/
SignHealth psychological therapy has a dedicated service for BSL users www.signhealth.org.uk/our-projects/psychological-therapies-service/
