Singer-songwriter KT Tunstall has returned to the Edinburgh Fringe festival, 30 years after her own Fringe debut, to contribute music to a new musical titled "The Singer." The production, a collaboration between Jamie Rea and Cora Bissett, aims to break new ground by integrating both deaf and hearing performers and crew.
Rea and Bissett initially developed a short film during the pandemic called "The Singer," which depicted a deaf musician forming an unlikely partnership with a down-on-his-luck busker. This concept has now been expanded into a full-length theatrical production, supported by organizations such as Aberdeen Performing Arts, Dundee Rep, and Solar Bear, a theater company focused on inclusive work with deaf and hearing individuals.
Jennifer Bates, creative director at Solar Bear, described the musical as "a significant moment" for the Scottish theater scene due to its inclusive approach to casting and crew. Tunstall expressed her enthusiasm for contributing to the project, noting the personal resonance of its themes. "I couldn't believe the convergence of elements being so close to my life because we've got a deaf character," she stated.
Tunstall shared her personal connection to the theme of hearing loss, mentioning that her younger brother was born profoundly deaf and she herself lost hearing in her left side in 2018. She described her journey of adapting to being hard of hearing while continuing as a musician. The character of the busker in Glasgow also holds personal significance for Tunstall, as she reflected, "The other character is a busker in Glasgow. Which was me!".
The musical brings together a cast and crew that reflects the diversity of its audience and the themes it explores. The creative team behind "The Singer" has worked to ensure a cohesive and impactful theatrical experience that bridges communication and performance barriers. The production is set to be a notable entry in this year's Edinburgh Fringe festival, highlighting innovative approaches to storytelling and performance.