Role Shift

by Lesley Hart

Birds of Paradise and Òran Mór are delighted to announce Role Shift, by Lesley Hart.

Role Shift by Lesley Hart is a funny and feisty new show that turns the spotlight on the role of the sign language interpreter in a gender bending, toe swap comedy about the struggle to live with and without other people – and what it really means to be ‘me’.

This is the first co-production between Birds of Paradise and Òran Mór’s famous A Play, A Pie and A Pint. The show will be directed by one of Birds of Paradise’s Artistic Directors Garry Robson

Inspired by the principle of “role shift” in British Sign Language, Role Shift is a slightly naughty but honest look at the role of a sign language interpreter and what happens when separate worlds collide in a fascinating new way. Carrie is dutifully doing her job as a sign language interpreter but when she gets drawn into the action she disrupts the world of the play from a boy meets girl love story into something very different, magical and strange.

We are thrilled to announce our cast; Carrie will be played by Natalie MacDonald (SASLI, Graeae, Random Accomplice, Ramesh Meyyappan), Louise McCarthy (National Theatre of Scotland, BBC Scotland, Mamma Mia, London) will be playing Bernie and Robert Softley Gale will be playing Ally (BBC TV, the arches, National Theatre of Scotland).

All performances integrate audio description, BSL and captioning.

Birds of Paradise produce and promote accessible theatre and have created a pre-show audio introduction* for both our visually impaired friends and all to enjoy.


Press Reviews

Mumble Theatre – ★★★★★
“Role Shift was by turns, a hilarious rollicking comedy, a comment on sexual mores and how the world views the disabled

This piece is both funny and thought provoking and definitely
ends on a high. Written by Lesley Hart and directed by Garry
Robson, Role Shift earned the players a rousing and well earned
extra curtain call, most unusual at Oran Mor. Be there or be
 square.”

The Herald – ★★★★
“Garry Robson’s already done a cracking job of balancing the frisky
humour and sensitive issues of gender, sexuality and disability
while giving his tremendous cast room to be mischievous.”

The Scotsman – ★★★
“It’s a brilliantly raunchy and playful idea, played to the hilt by Garry Robson’s terrific cast.”

Broadway Baby – ★★★★
“Garry Robson has created a sparkling diamond of a show that’s as bold and brash as it needs to be”

The Tempohouse
“Brilliant, demented play for PPP” “a most mischievous Robert Softley-Gale” “all Monroe hips and dirty quips”


Tour Dates


Òran Mór, Glasgow Mon 16 – Sat 21 May 2016

Ayr Gaiety, Ayr Tue 24 – Thu 26 May 2016

https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-BFM9RLQXYS