The Quiet Revolution of Laurent Clerc

The war on sign language began as a war on love.

In 1816, Deaf pioneer Laurent Clerc arrives in America from France: ambitious, brilliant and determined to prove that he can stand as an equal in a hearing world.

Together with the young Reverend Thomas Gallaudet, Clerc sets out to build something extraordinary: a school where Deaf children can learn, communicate and imagine a future beyond isolation. But when Clerc falls in love and announces his intention to marry a Deaf woman, the life he has built is thrown into crisis.

The school’s future is at stake. Clerc must choose between the institution he has devoted his life to and the future he has begun to imagine for himself.

Inspired by the life of ‘The Father of the Deaf’ Laurent Clerc, The Quiet Revolution of Laurent Clerc is a ferocious and funny exploration of love, ambition and the roots of sign language – and a story about the choices we make when the life we want comes at a cost.

Performed through a spectacular visual language of movement, mime and shadow, four modalities of sign language, spoken English, French and creative captions, this unique play brings Deaf history vividly to life while asking profoundly universal questions about identity, belonging, love and the price of change.

Presented by Dreamatorium, Berkshire Playwrights Lab and Park Theatre.