How did it compare, seeing the show twice without interpreters to actually seeing it with interpreters? I found myself lost at times - unable to focus much on either side due to the high volume of spectacle and action going on stage - and the high volume of lyrics being sung at the same time. Who to watch? When to watch? Even so, I found myself missing 2/3 of the show when paying attention to the interpreters compared to having my full and undivided attention to the show on the non-interpreted days. (REading the script beforehands helped tremedously - not to mention memorizing the lyrics to the songs not in the film version as well).
We had two interpreters - after the show, it was agreed that three would be ideal - especially for this show and the number of songs that have 3+ people singing ("Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" for one) and with two interpreters, some characters slipped through the cracks. (I could tell when a line was signed - whose line it was - but for the non-savvy audience member watching the interpreter, it was very easy to lose track of who was saying what).
Even so, the show was highly lauded by the Deaf audience for its volume of spectacles (and the big dance numbers during "Jolly Holiday", "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and especially "Step in Time"). At times, the interpreters dropped hands and let us watch the spectacles unfolding onstage. (This was noted in the ASL program insert).
How does one interpret the many sayings and god forbid, the atrocious word? Quoted passages are taken from the ASL program insert.
"Chim-chim-chimney-cher-ee" "This is a chorus that Bert sings. It has no meaning other than a connector to him as a Chimney sweeper and an alliteration within his songs." This was signed as CHIMNEY (FIRE + SQUARE-COLUMN) becoming C hand gestures (the smoke, welcoming gestures, etc).
"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" "This word is the most FAMOUS part of MARY POPPINS." It was spelled initally but alternates between fingerspelling and a mixture of signs starting with SUPER/WONDERFUL and ending with PERFECT. In between are AWESOME/FAR-OUT, CHIN-WOW, TERRIFICABLE, etc. During the spelling-out (where the characters use their body to spell out the word - based on British Sign Language), this was spelled out along the characters but during this song, one hardly needs the interpreters. Lots and lots of visual gestures that could pass for legitmate sign language. Clearly, this was my favorite song of the show, visually.
"Brimstone and Treacle" "The medicine that Miss Andrews uses to punish the children." This was conveyed as "BITTER-SWALLOW-into-FIST". The sign style adopted by the interpreter was hilarous - it matched the voice of Miss Andrews down to "Briiiiimmmstoooooneee aaannddd treeeeacllle wiiiiiiilllll wooorrrkkk!"
"Holy terror" "A reference to Miss Andrews (the evil nanny)". Signed as "SCARY+SHOCK+AGENT".
"Spoonful of Sugar" This was signed as "MEDICINE-POUR into SPOON, SPOON (as held by Mary, as if giving it to a child) INFLUENCE POSTIVE-POSTIVE-POSTIVE ATTITUDE. The idea behind this was that Miss Andrews uses Brimstone and Treacle - evil bitter medicine - and the turnout is that the children go awry. But when one is fed something deliciious, then postive attitude follows in return.
(These are from the top off of my head - but requests for more lines may be made via comments and I will gladly post them in subsequent posts!)
My suggestion to anyone seeing this show is to see it twice - once with interpreters or captioning; and again to get the 'bigger picture.' Once certainly isn't enough to drink in both the little details that go awry when watching the interpreters. (Many of Bert's hidden gestures/"signs" are quick and easy to miss - but when they are caught, they are a delight to watch!)
Meeting the cast - I stagedoored several times and spoke to several members of the cast. Of them all, Gavin Lee (as Bert) was fascinated by the sign language interpreters! "We (the actors) can see you (the interpreters) out of the corner of our eyes and we want to watch you (the interpreters) SO badly!" on the preview night.
On the day of the performance, (after the interpreted performance), Gavin ran into one of the interpreters after the show and commented about how the cast was impressed with their performance. He thinks that the interpreters should tour with the cast so they don't have to re-learn the show per city! (Makes sense! Two-or -three interpreters as part of the cast - learn the script ONCE - and do it stellar! Instead of 2-3 per city (if at all) and 2-3 weeks to learn the script? Knew I liked actors - they GET IT! Thoughts?
The verdict? A "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" show! (Remember it is NOT "exactly" like the film adaptation, but a show in its own right. Go with an open mind and one will appreciate the translation of the stories of Mary Poppins!)
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Thanks