Deaf as a Post by Shaun Blaney - a rehearsed reading

This is a reading of the new play 'Deaf as a Post', written by Aisling award-winning actor Shaun Blaney, directed by Emma Copland. With custom soundscape by Garth McConaghie and creative captions, DAAP is an action comedy about hearing loss.

‘I am listening. I just can’t hear a word you’re saying.'

In a dystopian London, a viral ear-worm turns victims into opinionated zombie ‘Loopers’. One reluctant Irish soldier named Goody cunningly uses his hearing loss to survive. But there’s more to listening than hearing. As his feelings for his commanding officer deepen, Goody must choose between the safety of isolation or the vulnerability of loving another.

Dandelion Productions are proud to present their rehearsed reading of Deaf As A Post at the 2024 Féile.

Following its debut at the Baron’s Court Theatre London, the play is a powerful testament to the need to listen in a world overwhelmed by noise. A slyly funny, deeply absurd, exploration of hearing loss; it’s 'Black Mirror', meets 'A Quiet Place', by way of 'Call of Duty Zombies’!

Written by award winning actor Shaun Blaney (In The Name Of The Son - The Gerry Conlon Story), a long-time hearing aid user, the play is inspired by his family’s history of hearing loss and told in a boldly experimental way.Listen as three incredible performers voice a multitude of characters in a disturbingly familiar world. Directed by Emma Copland, who brought us the Bewley's Cafe award-winning Slippery When Wet, and featuring a cutting edge, immersive soundscape from Garth McConaghie (Derry Girls, A Night in November, In the Name of the Son). Deaf As A Post puts audiences inside the ears of a hearing aid user and promises to be a rehearsed reading like no other.

This event will consist of three performers reading the character's lines and the stage directions, captions detailling everthing that can be heard, and a soundscape.

This reading lasts for 75 minutes without an interval.
The event will be delivered in written and spoken English, with some BSL and fully captioned. Selected performances will be interpreted in ISL for audiences.

Trigger Warnings:

This production contains explicit language, ablist, audist and discriminatory language, themes of violence and war. Not suitble for under 16s.

Host or Publisher Emma Copland