talkmagic.co.uk

V.E. Day wrote:It doesn't slow the action even in musical theatre so long as the Signer has been briefed on the script beforehand. My understanding is that it is only slower if the Signer is having to follow the speeches because they are interpreting live without an idea about what is about to be said. It is merely a matter of making sure the Signer has been sent a copy of the relevant script beforehand, which is a very basic courtesy anyway.

What comedy act works from a set script? I know I don't. The essence of a comedy performance (as many magicians would be classified) is playing off the reactions of the audience. So the signer would be under pressure. I don't think it would work.

Hey Tom and everybody!

I know this post was ages ago (feb) but i've only just seen the post and just wanted to put my two pennies worth in!

I am a qualified sign language interpreter and have been interpreting magic for nearly 3 years now.
My partner is a Magician and i regularly interpret his performance at Deaf events-weddings, parties, dinners and Deaf festivals.
I also interpret lectures such as L.A.D.S and will be there again this year.

I noticed some of you had written that interpreting magic can slow the performance down-this is true if the interpreter doesnt understand which parts are important in the act. For example; as with theatre, the interpreter must realise when a translation/interpretation of words is needed and when the visual can take over. To interpret magic does not mean you should interpret everything that is said or done-magic is sooo visual it speaks for itself! Interpret the bits that need an explanation, (that doesnt really need to be watched), and leave the magic to do the talking. If the interpreter is interpreting whilst the illusion is happening, the magic/illusion/comedy etc would be lost-so it just depends who much the interpreter understands how important this is ? Have i waffled??

Also.......BSl is a visual language and has a completely different structure to English, this makes comedy very difficult to interpret. If you are performing magic to a Deaf person/audience and don't want a tumbleweed moment, be careful not to use 'english' jokes eg. play on words/ idiomatic phrases.

Hope that helped a little??!

Thanks!