A new play, Words Apart, on at BATS Theatre in Wellington from 14 to 18 February, combines two languages - the verbal English language and the visual New Zealand Sign Language.

The play is built around the themes of love and hate from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Ryan, a young Deaf man, and Jules, who is hearing, struggle to convince both the Deaf and hearing communities that their love is real - that love is more than just words.A new play, Words Apart, on at BATS Theatre in Wellington from 14 to 18 February, combines two languages - the verbal English language and the visual New Zealand Sign Language.

The play is built around the themes of love and hate from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Ryan, a young Deaf man, and Jules, who is hearing, struggle to convince both the Deaf and hearing communities that their love is real - that love is more than just words.Can love bring two-star-crossed lovers together?

"We want to portray Deaf culture not as a disability but as a difference that can be celebrated, included and equal," says director Nicola Clements. "We think this will be the first time in Wellington - and probably New Zealand - where New Zealand Sign Language and the English language are equal and integral parts of the play."

The cast features both Deaf and hearing actors. The play is the brainchild of Nicola, who learned to sign as a hobby when she was studying at university.

"It's a beautiful, expressive language," Nicola says. "When I was learning to sign, the Deaf community were incredibly patient with me. It's such an open and warm community that we wanted to welcome our audiences into this world."

Steph Walker, Programme Manager of BATS Theatre, says she's fascinated to see how the two languages will be communicated on an equal footing - not only between the actors but, of course, to the audience.

"The idea of a universal language, whether for the Deaf or the hearing, really appealed to me," she says. "The whole initiative and all the work that's gone into presenting the show is inspirational. BATS is excited to have an opportunity to welcome an audience we don't normally get."

Words Apart is running during the New Zealand Fringe Festival in Wellington. It will also be performed in the Old Town Hall in Wellington on 9 May as part of the New Zealand Deaf Short Film Festival 2009 and New Zealand Sign Language Week, which runs from 4 to 10 May.

11/02/09