The Only Brown Deaf Man In England
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A Mercury Original in association with Camden People’s Theatre and in collaboration with Fuse Theatre
Written by and starring Nadeem Islam
Directed by Harry Jardine
Movement Direction and Choreography by Chris Fonseca
From 1970s Bangladesh to Brick Lane to the post-9/11 present, The Only Brown Deaf Man in England follows Rajkumar, a Deaf Bengali amateur batsman, as he navigates the chaos, comedy and contradictions of life in Britain – one ball at a time.
Fleeing genocide, dodging racists, losing loved ones, and somehow finding laughter in it all, Rajkumar plays each moment like a batsman at the crease – reading the spin, riding the bounce, and swinging when it counts. His story is funny, fierce, and deeply moving.
Told through a dynamic blend of British Sign Language and visual vernacular, the show transforms memory into vivid, cinematic storytelling – where whole worlds are built through the body, rhythm and imagination. It’s bold, inventive and visually striking, offering a rich theatrical experience for Deaf and hearing audiences alike. No prior knowledge of BSL is needed – the storytelling is immediate, intuitive, and universally felt.
Following its early sharing at Camden People’s Theatre, a three-week development at National Theatre Studios and a sold-out work-in-progress at Pleasance Theatre, the full production is finally here!
Written by and starring Nadeem Islam
Directed by Harry Jardine
Movement Direction and Choreography by Chris Fonseca
From 1970s Bangladesh to Brick Lane to the post-9/11 present, The Only Brown Deaf Man in England follows Rajkumar, a Deaf Bengali amateur batsman, as he navigates the chaos, comedy and contradictions of life in Britain – one ball at a time.
Fleeing genocide, dodging racists, losing loved ones, and somehow finding laughter in it all, Rajkumar plays each moment like a batsman at the crease – reading the spin, riding the bounce, and swinging when it counts. His story is funny, fierce, and deeply moving.
Told through a dynamic blend of British Sign Language and visual vernacular, the show transforms memory into vivid, cinematic storytelling – where whole worlds are built through the body, rhythm and imagination. It’s bold, inventive and visually striking, offering a rich theatrical experience for Deaf and hearing audiences alike. No prior knowledge of BSL is needed – the storytelling is immediate, intuitive, and universally felt.
Following its early sharing at Camden People’s Theatre, a three-week development at National Theatre Studios and a sold-out work-in-progress at Pleasance Theatre, the full production is finally here!
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Where is it happening?
Mercury Theatre Colchester, Balkerne Gate,Colchester, Essex, United Kingdom
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherMercury Theatre Colchester
