Sing & Sign 'Mama Mia' for Kilcullen
The Club was formed about 10 years ago when a group of local young people needed a theme for their Gaisce Awards.
"We made contact with a deaf lady in Tullow and there began a relationship with the deaf community," says Aiden McHugh, formerly from Kilcullen, who was helping the youngsters work for their Awards. "Afterwards we found a local lady who was a teacher in St Mary's School for the Deaf in Cabra, Maggie Owens, who lived locally. With her help in introducing the signing of songs, the club flourished."
The Club members sing or mime to original music, and 'sign' at the same time, and many times over the years they have entertained at events with the Irish Deaf Society. They have also presented Christmas shows.
"But last year we took on Mamma Mia the Musical and it was a great success. Our signing is fully understood by users of Irish Sign Language (ISL), which is the means of communication for up to 40,000 Irish people, including the parents, children and siblings of deaf people."
The last week in September is International Deaf Week and the Club were asked by the Chairperson of the IDS if they would perform it again to celebrate the week, 'so Kilcullen here we come'.
Tickets will shortly be available in Kilcullen, at €10 for adults and €5 for children. We'll let you know where as soon as we know.
