Helen, Alan, and Graham are told they are impaired and need fixing. As they begin to question the world around them, three powerful coming-of-age stories unfold, uniting in a struggle against violence, ignorance and oppression.
Connecting through a shared past they are transported to one pivotal moment in 1880 when a dangerous ideology was born: one that would impair the way the world views Deaf people for over a century.
Ad Infinitum combine the company’s signature style of physical storytelling with the beauty of British Sign Language in an unmissable feast for the senses.
Extraordinary Wall is a bilingual performance in English and BSL. If you’d like a copy of the script please email info@homemcr.org.
“You never know what you’re going to get with shows produced by Ad infinitum. They are always of a high quality… A thought-provoking powerful play on a subject never previously explored and is a welcome means of prompting discussion.” – British Theatre Guide
★★★★★ “I did not take my eyes off the stage… The combination of historical detail and at times, heart-wrenching, true-life stories were handled with compassion and delivered in a way that as an audience member, I did not want to look away… Ad Infinitum – you have lovingly crafted a wonderful piece of theatre you can be proud of.” – North West End
★★★★ “The show not only meets its ambitions of theatrical creativity, but also the controlled emotional force to break the wall of ignorance which has silenced their experience… If you need proof that theatre can change your perspective on the modern world, this is surely it.” – A Younger Theatre
★★★★ “Gecko and Mind the Gap have big international reputations and, on the evidence here, deservedly so… The companies are to be congratulated… Extraordinary.” – Northern Soul
“A beautifully expressive, impactful piece of theatre… enlightening, powerful, and thought-provoking… It will definitely stay in my mind for a long time.” – The Play’s The Thing
“A genuinely fascinating production… An out and loud retaking of deaf history and a bold statement to those developing new gene editing tools that Deafhood is here to stay ” – Live Art Alive
“A defiant treat for the senses.” – Mancunion
★★★★ “Directed with precision and care by George Mann… Part history lesson and part lecture on deafhood but also a subtle interrogation of theatre itself… Often, this feels subtly profound.” – The Guardian
★★★★★ “Beautifully orchestrated, both in terms of its performance and its musicality… Ad Infinitum have triumphed with Extraordinary Wall of Silence… It’s poetic enough to be beautiful, and confronting enough to be powerful… Deserves to run and run.” – Broadway World
★★★★★ “Immersive and poetic in the best way… Profoundly moving… A must-see.” – The Reviews Hub
★★★★ “Extraordinary Wall of Silence opens up our hearts, our minds and our ears so that we can finally let the voice of deaf people be heard.” – Stage Talk (Bristol)
★★★★ “Compassionate and informative… At the end of the piece, with quiet rage, the Deaf performers assert their right to exist.” – The Stage
“Rather than presenting a confusing cacophony of voices, the interaction between [spoken language, physical language and British Sign Language] proves an engaging way of storytelling, one that offers refreshing insight into the several different worlds we see onstage… Ad Infinitum is a company known for its physical storytelling, which here proves the perfect medium.” – What’s On Stage
“The cast make a smooth ensemble… Creates believable, nuanced stories for compelling characters.” – Exeunt
“A potent and at times shocking piece of storytelling that relates the living history of oppression and misunderstanding of the deaf community at the hands of the hearing.” – Bristol 24/7
“Ad Infinitum is different. It is a theatre company that refuses to be put in a box.” – Lyn Gardner, The Stage
“One of contemporary theatre’s vital organs.” – Time Out