Self-Raising

"It starts with a secret, but this one's different, this one's mine."

Award winning Artistic Director of Graeae, Jenny Sealey has spent a lifetime championing stories by Deaf and disabled artists. Now she takes to the stage to tell her own story. Unravelling the past and facing the future, Self-Raising is a blisteringly honest, laugh-out-loud one-woman show about growing up deaf in a family with secrets. 

All performances creatively integrate British Sign Language, Audio Description and Captions. Please select stalls centre for best view of captions and the interpreter. If you need a companion ticket to support your visit and wish to make an access booking, please call 01517094776 or email [email protected]. A touch is scheduled to take place 45 mins before each performance.

★★★★  
"...in this fully accessible show – she is a warm, captivating presence as she shares her secret."
The Stage 

★★★★
“It felt like a privilege having this life story shared with us”
British Theatre

Watch the video above to find out more about the show.

About the show: 

Age guidance: 14+

The show is an hour long.

It is a relaxed show. You can leave and return to your seat at any point.

There is a collective audience participation moment. You do not have to participate.

If Jenny hands you a bag of flour to hold, you can refuse. She will understand.

Jenny will sometimes swear.

During the show there will be subtle lighting changes, projections on a screen, recorded music and gentle sound effects.

Content Warnings:

This show contains references to being deaf in a hearing world, sexual abuse, trying to be fixed, adoption, death and bereavement.

The play touches on references to different types of abuse, such as the abuse of power, ableism, victim-blaming, and physical and mental abuse.  These abuses are not directly referenced in the play and although these are real events, Jenny is telling the story in her own words in an honest and reflective way.

If you would like to discuss the content information before the show, there will be a member of Graeae staff available front of house at the Access Area or email [email protected]

You can also find more information on the themes in the show by visiting:

AtaLoss
Cruse Bereavement Support
Samaritans
The Good Grief Trust
SignHealth 
SHOUT – 85258
The Survivors Trust

Please note flour bags in the show contain real flour. The loose flour is gluten-free.

Please speak to a member of staff at the Access Table if you have any questions.

graeae.org