![Side view of a woman in black and white with light pink flowers and butterflies surrounding her head. She has a wistful look on her face. Side view of a woman in black and white with light pink flowers and butterflies surrounding her head. She has a wistful look on her face.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/The-Promise-Masthead.png?resize=16%2C10&gravity)
The Promise
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Stunning, and poetic, this show is an inclusive masterpiece of visual theatre.”
★★★★★ West End Best Friend
Rita is really confused.
She can’t understand why the deaf education system she’s tirelessly championed throughout her teaching career is getting worse and worse, or why there is only one care home in the whole of England that looks after people in her language. On the Isle of Wight.
She’s also confused about where her family is, and why she can’t remember where the milk goes…
This striking world premiere, made in association with acclaimed British theatre company Deafinitely Theatre (The Vagina Monologues, Everyday and 4.48 Psychosis), is inspired by the extraordinary experiences of deaf people living with dementia, and is directed in the company’s renowned highly visual style combining British Sign Language and English.
The audience is gently led to understand the heartbreaking story, with moments of laughter, beauty and calls for change along the way
★★★★★ Midlands What’s On
A small strong cast, a simple set, and the projection of words, made it accessible to all.”
★★★★ ReviewsGate
Price
From £10
Presented by
Deafinitely Theatre, Birmingham Rep and Lyric Hammersmith
Written by
Paula Garfield & Melissa Mostyn
Directed by
Paula Garfield
Age guideline
14+ This performance contains homophobic references and strong language.
Please note, no under 5s will be admitted to the auditorium.
Running time
Approximately 90 minutes with no interval
Access performances
BSL & Captioning: All performances are accessible for British Sign Language users, with BSL and creative captions used throughout the production. The captions will appear on stage, integrated within the set design.
Relaxed: Thu 11 Apr 2pm
Post-show discussion
There will be a post-show discussion after the 7pm performance on Fri 12 Apr.
Offers
3 for 2: Add 3 shows into your basket and at checkout enjoy 33% off each production T&Cs apply – Find Out More
Fees and Charges
Please note there is a transaction fee of £3.50 on all payment types.
Venue
BSL & Creative Captions
All performances are accessible for British Sign Language users, with BSL and creative captions used throughout the production. The captions will appear on stage, integrated within the set design.
Production photos
![The Promise Production Photo. Anna Seymour (Rita) is standing looking confuse as she holds a slip of paper like looks like a check in her hands. Behind her, is a list is projected on the wall behind her. The Promise Production Photo. Anna Seymour (Rita) is standing looking confuse as she holds a slip of paper like looks like a check in her hands. Behind her, is a list is projected on the wall behind her.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2024/04/BECKYBAILEYPHOTOGRAPHER_THEPROMISE_2024-299-min-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo by Becky Bailey
![The Promise Production Photo. Anna Seymour (Rita) is sitting on the lap of James Boyle (Jake). They are hugging with their faces facing each other smiling. They are looking at each other fondly. Behind them, is a captioned screen stating ‘Jake: plenty of time to shop for a new outfit and a big hat’. In the background are multiple household items labelled with post-it notes. The Promise Production Photo. Anna Seymour (Rita) is sitting on the lap of James Boyle (Jake). They are hugging with their faces facing each other smiling. They are looking at each other fondly. Behind them, is a captioned screen stating ‘Jake: plenty of time to shop for a new outfit and a big hat’. In the background are multiple household items labelled with post-it notes.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2024/04/BECKYBAILEYPHOTOGRAPHER_THEPROMISE_2024-242-min-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo by Becky Bailey
![The Promise Production Photo. Anna Seymour (Rita) is sitting tensely in a wooden chair looking at the hands of Louis Neethling (Deaf Assessor) as he signs, ‘Can you draw me a clock with numbers, show me 1:45’ which is also shown on a captioned screen behind them. The Promise Production Photo. Anna Seymour (Rita) is sitting tensely in a wooden chair looking at the hands of Louis Neethling (Deaf Assessor) as he signs, ‘Can you draw me a clock with numbers, show me 1:45’ which is also shown on a captioned screen behind them.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/BECKYBAILEYPHOTOGRAPHER_THEPROMISE_2024-181-min-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo by Becky Bailey
![The Promise Production Photo. Anna Seymour (Rita) stands in front of a dining table with her arms outstretched as if about to fly. She is smiling. Behind her is Louis Neethling (Mike), who is looking at her with a confused but fond expression. On the table between them is a kettle with a post-it note saying ‘boil kettle’ and a jar with a post-it note saying ‘ tea bags’ The Promise Production Photo. Anna Seymour (Rita) stands in front of a dining table with her arms outstretched as if about to fly. She is smiling. Behind her is Louis Neethling (Mike), who is looking at her with a confused but fond expression. On the table between them is a kettle with a post-it note saying ‘boil kettle’ and a jar with a post-it note saying ‘ tea bags’](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/BECKYBAILEYPHOTOGRAPHER_THEPROMISE_2024-115-min-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo by Becky Bailey
![The Promise Production Photo. Anna Seymour (Rita) stands in front of a screen with captions, signing. She is smiling. The Promise Production Photo. Anna Seymour (Rita) stands in front of a screen with captions, signing. She is smiling.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/BECKYBAILEYPHOTOGRAPHER_THEPROMISE_2024-7-min-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo by Becky Bailey
![The Promise Production Photo. Erin Hutching (Jane) stands off to the left, looking on disapprovingly at James Boyle (Jake) who seems to be explaining something to a focused Anna Seymour (Rita). The Promise Production Photo. Erin Hutching (Jane) stands off to the left, looking on disapprovingly at James Boyle (Jake) who seems to be explaining something to a focused Anna Seymour (Rita).](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/BECKYBAILEYPHOTOGRAPHER_THEPROMISE_2024-191-min-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo by Becky Bailey
Rehearsal Photos
![The Promise Rehearsal Photos. Anna Seymour (Rita) is standing with a back to a plain beige wall. She is a white woman with curly black hair and is wearing a green and blue plaid shirt. She is wearing a wedding band and has a nose ring. The Promise Rehearsal Photos. Anna Seymour (Rita) is standing with a back to a plain beige wall. She is a white woman with curly black hair and is wearing a green and blue plaid shirt. She is wearing a wedding band and has a nose ring.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/Anna-Seymour-Rita-credit-Becky-Bailey-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo Credit: Becky Bailey
![The Promise Rehearsal Photos. Erin Hutching (Jane) is sitting on a red chiar and smiling towards a person who is sitting in front of the camera. She is a white woman with long blonde hair. The Promise Rehearsal Photos. Erin Hutching (Jane) is sitting on a red chiar and smiling towards a person who is sitting in front of the camera. She is a white woman with long blonde hair.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/Erin-Hutching-Jane-credit-Becky-Bailey-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo Credit: Becky Bailey
![The Promise Rehearsal Photos. James Boyle (Jake) is standing up with an aggressive expression on his face and pointing his both hands like he is arguing with someone. He is a white man with slicked back brown hair and a small tattoo under his eye. The Promise Rehearsal Photos. James Boyle (Jake) is standing up with an aggressive expression on his face and pointing his both hands like he is arguing with someone. He is a white man with slicked back brown hair and a small tattoo under his eye.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/James-Boyle-Jake-credit-Becky-Bailey-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo Credit: Becky Bailey
![The Promise Rehearsal Photos. Anna Seymour (Rita) is standing with a mug in her hand, talking to James Boyle who is gesturing as he speaks. In the background Erin Hutching (Jane) is studying Rita's face closely with a pen in her hand. The Promise Rehearsal Photos. Anna Seymour (Rita) is standing with a mug in her hand, talking to James Boyle who is gesturing as he speaks. In the background Erin Hutching (Jane) is studying Rita's face closely with a pen in her hand.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/James-Boyle-Jake-Anna-Seymour-Rita-and-Erin-Hutching-Jane-credit-Becky-Bailey-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo Credit: Becky Bailey
![The Promise Rehearsal Photos. James Boyle (Jake) is standing at a kitchen table pouring a hot drink into a mug, next to him stands Anna Seymour (Rita), and sitting at the table is Louis Neethling (Mike) who is reading the newspaper. The Promise Rehearsal Photos. James Boyle (Jake) is standing at a kitchen table pouring a hot drink into a mug, next to him stands Anna Seymour (Rita), and sitting at the table is Louis Neethling (Mike) who is reading the newspaper.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/James-Boyle-Jake-Anna-Seymour-Rita-and-Louis-Neethling-Mike-credit-Becky-Bailey-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo Credit: Becky Bailey
![The Promise Rehearsal Photos. James Boyle (Jake) is sitting on a red folding chair point towards Anna Seymour (Rita) who is standing looking down at Jake, Louis Neethling (Mike) who is reading the newspaper but looking at Erin Hutching (Jane) who is also sitting. The Promise Rehearsal Photos. James Boyle (Jake) is sitting on a red folding chair point towards Anna Seymour (Rita) who is standing looking down at Jake, Louis Neethling (Mike) who is reading the newspaper but looking at Erin Hutching (Jane) who is also sitting.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/James-Boyle-Jake-Anna-Seymour-Rita-Louis-Neethling-Mike-and-Erin-Hutching-Jane-credit-Becky-Bailey-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo Credit: Becky Bailey
![The Promise Rehearsal Photos. Anna Seymour is rooting around in the breast pocket of Louis Neethling's (Mike) green plaid shirt. The Promise Rehearsal Photos. Anna Seymour is rooting around in the breast pocket of Louis Neethling's (Mike) green plaid shirt.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/Louis-Neethling-Mike-and-Anna-Seymour-Rita-credit-Becky-Bailey-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo Credit: Becky Bailey
![The Promise Rehearsal Photos. Paula Garfield (director) is sitting down wearing a brown cardigan with both arms raised and giving a double thumbs-up. The Promise Rehearsal Photos. Paula Garfield (director) is sitting down wearing a brown cardigan with both arms raised and giving a double thumbs-up.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/Paula-Garfield-Director-credit-Becky-Bailey-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo Credit: Becky Bailey
![The Promise Rehearsal Photos. Anna Seymour (Rita) and Louis Neethling (Mike) are sitting at a table in rehearsals. Paula Garfield (director) is standing and talking to both actors. The Promise Rehearsal Photos. Anna Seymour (Rita) and Louis Neethling (Mike) are sitting at a table in rehearsals. Paula Garfield (director) is standing and talking to both actors.](https://images.birmingham-rep.co.uk/uploads/2023/10/Paula-Garfield-Director-Anna-Seymour-Rita-and-Louis-Neethling-Mike-credit-Becky-Bailey-scaled.jpg?fit=50%2C40)
Photo Credit: Becky Bailey
Cast
James Boyle
James Boyle, a dedicated deaf artist, and advocate, is currently refining his acting skills at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Paving the way, he proudly holds the distinction of being the first deaf man accepted into this esteemed institution, contributing to the rich diversity of the theatrical world.
James will be making his on stage debut as part of Deafinitely Theatre’s production of The Promise.
Erin Hutching
Erin Hutching trained at Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York, Melbourne Actors Lab in Australia and University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Theatre credits include: Barrier(s) (National Theatre); Treasure Island (Derby Theatre); Telethon (Talk Show / Shoreditch Town Hall) The Process (Bunker Theatre); 4.48 Psychosis (Deafinitely Theatre / New Diorama); peeling (UK tour), People of the Eye (UK tour), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (German tour), Macbeth (1623 Theatre Company), Boy in a Dress (Battersea Arts Centre/ UK tour).
Film & Television credits include: Eastenders (BBC); Deaf Funny (BSLBT), The Ballad of Des and Mo (Hello Camera). Erin is a lead artist with The DH Ensemble theatre company, whose work has been developed with National Theatre Studio, Northern Stage, Battersea Arts Centre, The Yard and Liberty Festival.
She is also an associate artist with 1623 Theatre Company.
Louis Neethling
Louis Neethling trained at The National School of the Arts (NSA) in South Africa and RADA.
Theatre credits include: See No Evil (NSA); An African Tale (NSA)
Film and Television credits include: L’oeil et la Main (Point du Jour/France TV5); DTV (The New Production/SABC); Shakies (SABC ); Sign Here (SABC)
Louis is an award-winning director who started his TV career in 1993, as a children’s presenter on the SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) and was nominated for an Artes Award.
Louis has worked at the BBC as a director/assistant producer on various factual programmes.
In 2007 Louis started his own production company, MJP (Mutt & Jeff Pictures), which produces films and television in BSL. Louis’ company has made 40 award-winning dramas, 5 award-winning documentaries and 2 series of the first ever sign language sitcom in the world, Small World.
Anna Seymour
Anna Seymour is a profoundly Deaf Australian born dance artist and performer based in London. Anna is a professional dancer, trained in contemporary dance, and is a dancer with Candoco Dance Company, an international dance company of disabled and non-disabled dancers. Anna has been dancing and touring internationally with Candoco since September 2020.
Prior to moving to London, Anna lived in Melbourne for 14 years where she built her career as a freelance artist, teacher, producer. As a dancer, Anna has worked with different choreographers in Australia, the UK and Europe as well as creating her own work. She is also touring her work, SPIN, an interactive dance rave event with three Deaf hosts (Anna Seymour, Chris Fonseca and Raffie Julien) and a DJ. As an actor, Anna has worked for theatre (Deafferent Theatre, Melbourne and Deafinitely Theatre’s Vagina Monologues, London) and TV (Get Krack!n, ABC TV, Melbourne).
Anna is absolutely thrilled about being part of The Promise, and is looking forward to the new challenges and learning that it will bring.
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