A world renowned deaf comedian is set to perform in West Cumbria.
Newcastle born comic and actor John Smith, is set to bring his show, The John Smith Show, to Moor Row Working Men’s Club, on Scalegill Road, this Saturday October 11, and last minute tickets are still available.
The comedian has performed for audiences across the world and is known for his visual comedy accessible to both deaf and hearing people.
He has also appeared on TV shows including the BBC’s SeeHear, the Irish TV show, The Afternoon Show (RTE), Doctors and John Bishop’s Life after Deaf documentary.
John became profoundly deaf after he contracted meningitis at the age of three years old. Alongside being renowned for his comedy, he is also a passionate British Sign Language teacher and deaf rights activist.
The show has been brought to Cumbria thanks to the efforts of profoundly deaf British Sign Language tutor Rebecca Kiggins, 40, of Whitehaven, and is being supported by Cumbria Deaf Association.
She said: “For years and years I have watched John Smith, he travels around the UK, he goes abroad, he’s international and he puts on a really good show.
“The thing is to try and put Cumbria on the map, because he seems to travel everywhere, but he hasn’t been to Cumbria yet!
“I texted him first about 10 years ago and then realised how costly and expensive it might be, so the idea was put on hold.
“But I have been working with Cumbria Deaf Association for the past few years and brought it up with my manager at the time and they said go for it and we’ll see what we can do.
“It was actually last Christmas that I started the journey to contact him and find available dates.
“It’s a way of getting deaf people together, hearing people can go to the theatre all the time and there’s nothing we have in Cumbria similar to this. “
As well as the main show, food will also be served at 7pm before the show starts at 8pm with an interval. Bingo will then take place after the show ends at around 9.15pm.
Rebecca added that people from Barrow and Carlisle are travelling to attend the show and that it will be a good chance for both deaf and hearing people to come together.
She said: “It’s visual comedy, so hand shapes, gestures and facial expressions and it’s a really good opportunity for people to come to Cumbria and see him perform.
“It’s going to be an accessible performance and an interpreter will voice over the comedy sketch, but he’s a very visual person, so most people will get it off the bat first time anyway.
“I don’t imagine there will be any communication barriers, but the interpreter is there to translate dialogue and make sure everyone is following the sketch.”
Rebecca added that it’s a great feeling being able to bring John to Cumbria and that she’d love to bring other accessible events and comedians to the area in the future.
She said: “It feels fantastic to bring him here, but there’s a lot of pressure, I want it to go well and be successful and I want everyone to have a really good night.
“But my husband Jayson has also worked very closely with me and has supported me with this project, he’s worked very hard!
“I would like to do similar events to this one with different comedian visits, but we’ll see how this one goes and if it’s a success, we can put more on.
“There’s all sorts of things we can do, sports, theatre, all sorts of different events, and any money we do raise extra on the night will stay in Cumbria and will be contributed towards the deaf community.”
Tickets cost £20 and include the show, food and bingo and last minute ones are still available.
To buy a ticket, get in touch with Rebecca via mobile on 07745634706.
While tickets will be available on the door, pre-booking is recommended to ensure there is enough food for all showgoers.
The show is suitable for those aged 16 and over as it will contain adult humour.
