Writers Guild best play winner Wonder Boy is on tour to Northern venues Blackpool Grand (October 10-12); York Theatre Royal (October 29-Nov 2) and The Lowry, Salford (November 12-16).
Olivier award-winner Sally Cookson directs this critically-acclaimed Bristol Old Vic production, which explores the power of communication through the experiences of 12-year-old Sonny.
Living with a stammer, Sonny is finding his way in a world ruled by vicious vowels, confusing consonants and small talk. His only friend is Captain Chatter, a comic book hero of his own creation.
But in the real world, language is power and Sonny must find a way to be heard. When cast in a school production of Hamlet by the headteacher, he finds the real heroes are closer than he thinks.
Deaf actor, 23-year-old Ciaran O’Breen, who plays Captain Chatter, hopes his role will inspire others who communicate differently to get into the performing arts. He made his professional debut in the premiere production of Wonder Boy in his home city of Bristol. His character communicates with British Sign Language, physicality and visual vernacular.
Ciaran said: "I want to encourage more deaf awareness in general, so audiences have this greater understanding that there are various ways of telling stories, various ways of depicting messages. Lots of people say you can't hear, you can't speak, how can you be on stage? But it's quite simple really, because I just do everything with the help of visual cues.”
More info and tickets here