DAVID UNWIN/Stuff
Local comics Jackie Davidson, Dylan Stewart and Matthew Willey.
A comedy show returning for its second year looks to bring a bountiful supply of laughs to the hearing and Deaf alike.
Stand Up for Sign Language features a line-up of Deaf and hearing comedians, who will be performing in English and New Zealand Sign Language, with support from two interpreters.
The MC for the show, Candice David, who spoke to Stuff with the assistance of interpreter Sarah Billing, said the show aimed to provide access to stand-up comedy for the Deaf community.
It would also be great for the hearing to learn more about Deaf people, how they sign, and to get a greater understanding of each other.
READ MORE:
* Kiwi comedy royalty to support local stand-up in Palmerston North
* Stand up for Sign Language comedy show comes to The Globe in Palmerston North
* ‘I feel included’: How press briefings with New Zealand Sign Language are making a difference
DAVID UNWIN/Stuff
This year’s show features performances from three Deaf comedians and three hearing comedians.
“Lots of the Deaf community love comedy, there is you know, a long history of Deaf comedy, we’ve had that for a long, long time, via sign language it’s making it accessible.”
David hadn’t done anything like stand up until the first edition of Stand Up for Sign Language during New Zealand Sign Language Week last year.
She said it was Matthew Willey from The Comedy Hub’s idea to put on the first show last year.
“We thought that would be a great idea because there’s nothing like that here. Normally Deaf people they love humour, we’re a humorous lot, and we’ve never had that before.”
Matthew Willey said he had been working with The Comedy Hub for a few years as a comedian, but also taught sign language with David on Tuesday nights at an event called sigNZSLam.
Willey thought it would be a good thing to combine the two and have a comedy show that used sign language.
This year’s show would feature performances from three Deaf comedians and three hearing comedians.</…….