Fringe shows on lookout for BSL interpreters

Performers from the upcoming Fringe Festival are looking to increase accessibility to their shows by looking out for British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters.

With a bigger number of shows trying to increase inclusivity, more people will be able to enjoy the many attractions that will take place in August around Edinburgh.

However, promoting a wider accessibility to performances may not be an easy task for smaller artists.

Ivan Hamshaw, director of the show “The Dumb Waiter”, explains that the plans of hiring a BSL interpreter end up falling through due to the lack of funding.

He says: “I think the issue that's faced by a lot of small theatre organisations is the budget. Obviously, these services, rightfully so, require payment.

“I think a lot of small theatre companies often, when weighing up sort of elements of their performance, will have a budget for accessibility and a budget for something else, and often money will fall out of the accessibility part and be put elsewhere.”

As for what the production of the show “The Dumb Waiter” is doing, Hamshaw talks about the difficulties.

He says: “For us it's been about reserving enough money to try and find ways to do that and keeping that as a necessity.

“At the minute it's been quite difficult to find someone to do it and it's also finding the funding to do that.

“It's hard because I think if you neglect that it, it feels wrong for a number of reasons.

“It should be an essential part of the show, but I think for a lot of small theatre groups it doesn't come as an essential part, so I think we're trying to set the standard for small theatre companies to still be thinking about these things regardless of your budget or your size.

“Try and find ways in which you can make your show as accessible as possible in whatever environment is.”

Festival goers can find performances with BSL interpreters labelled in the official programme.

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