Two women fall in love and begin their life together. However, hostility to sign language users is on the rise throughout society. Can the couple’s relationship transcend communication, social, and political barriers?

This year’s winning National Theatre New Views play, Barrier(s) is written by 17-year-old Eloise Pennycott from Southend High School for Girls in Essex. The play was chosen from 427 entries to be given a full production with a professional cast at the Dorfman Theatre. The play was staged bilingually in spoken English and BSL.

“Barrier(s) balances the messiness of human relationships with timely and incisive reflections on the historical injustices of oralism. It is a provocative exploration of the dynamics between language and control.” – David Bellwood, head of Access at the National Theatre

Written by Eloise Pennycott

Starring Lara Steward and Erin Siobhan Hutching

Associate Director – Paula Garfield

Set and Costume Design – Zoe Hurwitz

Lighting Design – Ola Przytula

Sound Design – Mike Winship

Video and Creative Captioning – Rachel Sampley

Stage Managers – Ben Donoghue, Anna Hill, Edie Fitt-Martin

Production Manager – Tabitha Piggott

Casting – Chloe Blake

Head of Access – David Bellwood

Production Photography – Helen Murray… Read More