Actor Gillian Dean is set to play a blind woman and then a fully sighted character at Sheringham Little Theatre this month. Here, she explains how, using her own visual impairment, she can bring extra realism to the first role – and how she is perfectly able to play the second
Norwich actor Gillian Dean has major sight loss, but it has not stopped her carving out a career as an actor, learning to play instruments – or sword fight. And this month, she is appearing in two Sheringham Little Theatre summer season plays – first as a thriller character with impaired vision, and then in a comedy as a fully sighted woman. The inspirational 42-year-old from Lakenham, Norwich is busy rehearsing and learning lines for both roles.
In Wait Until Dark, starting tomorrow (August 9) she plays blind Susy who is alone in her 1960s London flat with a doll, being targeted by three desperate con men. Then, two weeks later, she is able to play fully sighted character Annie in classic comedy, Table Manners, using stage craft and support from fellow cast members so her disability is not noticeable. In the play, Annie is trying to spend an illicit weekend with her brother-in-law.
Gillian says: ‘Thumbs up to the Little Theatre for casting a visually impaired person to play Susy. It is good for ethical reasons and because we disabled actors are under-represented – but I can also bring real authenticity to the role.
‘I have played sighted roles before, and it is all about talking to the cast and director about what I can and cannot do and finding ways around it. I can see enough not to fall over things but if, say, I cannot see a step on stage we can arrange for someone else to go up it first so I can follow. And if my cue is from a facial expression other cast members can make a noise or give me a nudge.’
Play director Brendan Murray says: ‘A sighted actor can represent a blind person on stage, but Gillian’s real-life experience is teaching us how to portray things from a genuine visually impaired perspective. She is amazingly positive and a very able actor.’
Gillian, who was brought up and went to school in Taverham, has been losing her sight to a degenerative eye condition from the age of seven. But she has not let it stop her living a full life – working in front of house and manager roles at Norwich Playhouse, and The Garage after gaining an honours degree in contemporary theatre.
In 2009 she switched to acting after a role cropped up at short notice and it has led to a varied career from Shakespeare, voice over work and medical role play, to playing a blind woman in the TV series Home Fires.
Gillian also plays musical instruments, sings in swing and folk bands, and has learned stage sword fighting, taking her visual impairment in her stride.
‘Learning to ride a horse is next on my list. I am big fan of fantasy dramas like The Witcher and Game of Thrones – and hope that if they ever want a sword-wielding, woman horse rider… the role is mine!’
Wait Until Dark is at Sheringham Little Theatre from August 9-13 and Table Manners from August 23-31. Tickets and more information from sheringhamlittletheatre.com or the box office on 01263 822347.
Featured image of Gillian Dean, taken by Teele Dunkley
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