Deaf Men Dancing Debut Performance at Tbilisi International Theater Fest

As part of its ‘Culture & Development: Unlimited’ project, British Council Georgia brought Deaf Men Dancing, an all-male deaf dance company, with their new outdoor performance called TEN, to the Tbilisi International Festival of Theater on September 30, in the New Tiflis area on Agmashenebeli Avenue.

The new show was inspired by double acts like Laurel & Hardy, Flanagan & Allen, Morecambe & Wise, Abbott & Costello and Gilbert & George, as it represented a fusion of different dance styles, incorporating British Sign Language into a 30 minute performance which attempts to raise awareness of individuals with hearing disability.

“The show is about the Ten Commandments for Deaf Awareness, which make it easier for us to connect with individuals who have hearing impairment,” said one of the performers.

“Once again, continuing our tradition, we brought a very interesting DeafMen Dancing company from UK, focusing on promoting British arts and culture here in Georgia, the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in arts, and creating a platform for their professional development,” said Zaza Purtseladze, Director of British Council Georgia.

“This show is about inclusion of individuals with disabilities into society, and the things we all need to know while we connect with them,” he added.

Nino Gugunishvili