The Edinburgh Deaf Festival is back for 2025, with a vibrant programme of shows and events embracing everything from new drama to comedy, drag, music and magic. After a tough but ultimately successful campaign, this unique annual celebration of deaf culture, is laying the foundations for future expansion after securing three-year funding from Creative Scotland.
Everything from new drama to comedy, drag, music and magic
Among more than 70 scheduled events, those taking part in the fourth annual festival are comedians John Smith and Gavin Lilley and Gaelic and Scots singer and musician Evie Waddell, who are all well-known to hearing audiences. There will be a specially commissioned production written and directed by Nadia Nadarajah, the festival’s Creative Programmer, who recently earned huge acclaim as Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra at The Globe.
Nadarajah said: “This year, we've got a lot that’s new, to deliver for the deaf community. We are also doing more to engage with hearing audiences, allowing them to discover something new by experiencing deaf culture and the work of deaf performers. Last year was very difficult because of funding challenges and the future looked very uncertain. We struggled but we were persistent. Now, the three-year funding gives us the stability to grow.”
As part of the drive to expand the festival’s reach among hearing audiences Evie will perform at Summerhall as well as the Deaf Action HQ and venue in Albany Street. Among the highlights in this year’s programme are:
Echoes Across Time: Three women, three timelines. A specially commissioned new production by Nadia Nadarajah. Performed in BSL with English voiceover for hearing audiences.
John Smith Show’s 20 Years of Laughter: Celebrate two decades of sharp wit and non-stop laughter with one of the UK’s best-known deaf comedians.
Deaffy Drag Queeny: Glitter, Gags and GSV: Deaffy drag queens Mary and Danielle bring cheeky charm, outrageous wit and deaf gay Pride to the stage.
Ivory Cutlery by Evie Wadell: Evie presents a visual and musical storytelling experience inspired by the cult Scottish poet and singer Ivor Cutler.
Gavin Lilley: Signs of the Times: A popular deaf comedian who bridges the gap with hearing audiences with his fresh take on everything from parenthood to travel misadventures.
Magic Morgan and Liliana: A family-friendly show packed with illusions, comedy and mime.
Scratch Night: An evening of bold new ideas from comedy to experimental acts – raw creativity which may be the next big thing.
Philip Gerrard, CEO of organisers Deaf Action, said: “We are the world’s oldest deaf charity and deaf-led organisation. We have been at the heart of efforts to promote the interests of the deaf community for 190 years, and the Edinburgh Deaf Festival continues that pioneering work. We fought hard to keep it alive, and now it is back and stronger than ever. Our festival continues the pioneering work that made Edinburgh a world-leader in championing the interests of deaf people.”
Other festival events include karaoke, discussions, parties and film screenings. There will be comedy and drama workshops, plus guided tours of The Georgian House, the Royal Botanic Garden and National Galleries Scotland along with a festival Youth Club and a parent and toddler group. The festival, which runs in collaboration with the Fringe, is also working with the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh International Book Festival to provide a range of accessible events.
An interpreter and captioning request service will allow deaf people to arrange an interpreter or captioner for Fringe shows that are not accessible. Deaf Action is also working with local businesses to create The Edinburgh Signing Quarter, a network of deaf-friendly cafes and bars in the Broughton Street and Canonmills area.
Not all events are listed in the Fringe brochure, but Google Edinburgh Deaf Festival for the full programme.
