The Promise Cast Announcement

We’re delighted today to announce the cast of our upcoming co-production, The Promise, with Deafinitely Theatre and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre.

The Promise, written by Deafinitely Theatre’s Artistic Director Paula Garfield and Melissa Mostyn, is a powerful new play also directed by Garfield in the company’s renowned, highly visual, style of combining British Sign Language and Spoken English.

The complete cast includes James Boyle, Erin Hutching, Louis Neethling and Anna Seymour. The play highlights how dementia affects those in the deaf community and their families and opens here on Sat 6 Apr – Sat 13 Apr.

Paula Garfield said the idea for The Promise was influenced by her family’s experience with dementia.

“Melissa and I have dedicated over two years crafting and refining the play from our personal perspectives and working closely with the deaf community. I can’t wait to collaborate with this outstanding cast and look forward to getting stuck in to exploring family dynamics and the strength of human connections when rehearsals start in March.”

Melissa Mostyn said “I feel privileged to be working with Deafinitely Theatre as co-writer of The Promise, a heartfelt story about a deaf family grappling with the effects of dementia. Their standards are high, and the cast they’ve just announced are exemplary. Having seen the actors at work, I’m beyond excited to see them bring The Promise to life.”

Completing the creative team are Paul Burgess (Set & Costume Design), Holly Ellis (Lighting Design), Marie Zschommler (Sound Design) and Ben Glover (AV Design).

The company tour takes in the Northern Stage in Newcastle upon Tyne on 19 Apr, HOME Manchester on 25 Apr and concludes at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre from 30 Apr to 11 May.