Deaf theatre-goers are celebrating a breakthrough after Bingley Little Theatre agreed to sign a play for them - the first amateur society to do so in the area.

It will stage Dead Guilty, a psychological thriller, by Richard Harris, for six evenings starting on April 3 with the first performance signed by freelance signer Allan Haythornwaite.

The idea was promoted by Mark Davis, Bingley Arts Centre manager, who asked societies if they would consider staging a signed performance.

Jill Kemp, publicity officer of Bingley Little Theatre, said: "We were only too happy to oblige and considered Dead Guilty to be an ideal play to sign.

"We are doing it for goodwill and will cost us £120 to hire Allan. We need to see how many deaf people we attract, though it is not as though we are only interested in getting our money back.

"Other societies will be watching us to see if it works out and is worthwhile. We are very pleased to be a trendsetter."

Allan, 51, who has been doing interpreting in Bradford since 1982 and professionally for over 30 years, said: "I am looking forward to it though I always get absolutely petrified. I'll certainly have an adrenaline rush when I'm out there.

"It's another skill too for deaf people to master - watching the stage and me interpret for them. To see actors on TV is one thing but to see them live in the theatre is a whole new experience."

His brother Roland, chairman of Bradford & District Association for the Deaf, said: "There are around 800 profoundly deaf people in Bradford and I welcome this development for them.

"I am definitely in favour of this. As far as I can see the more people that do it the better."

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