As a child enjoying Scotland’s festive tradition, Bea Webster didn’t see anyone like them when they went to the theatre in Glasgow each Christmas.

“I grew up in Scotland most of my life and it was hard never seeing a person like me,” says the actor, who is deaf. “I didn’t see anyone like me on stage. I’m also Asian and queer and panto was the first time I saw queerness but I never saw Asianness or deafness on stage. Hearing people would play deaf characters and white people would play Asian characters. So it’s important to me to be a role model for others now, because I thought I would never be able to act. I watched panto my whole life and I remember growing up watching panto thinking ‘I wish that was me.’”

Webster is one of two deaf actors blazing a trail on the banks of the Firth of  Clyde in what is the country’s first pantomime featuring deaf actors.

Webster is joined by Benedetta Zanetti in the cast of Mother Goose at the Ayr Gaiety, the first time two D/deaf performers will feature in a hearing-led pantomime in Scotland.

The pair are graduates of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s BA in Performance for Deaf and Hard of Hearing actors degree course.

(Image: Fergus/Storytelling PR)

Mounting the progressive production, in collaboration with inclusive theatre company Solar Bear,  has not been without its difficulties. The process presented significant creative obstacles for writer and cast lead Fraser Boyle, who plays Mother Goose.

He said: “I didn’t know that BSL was structured  differently to English. So if I say ‘what’s your name’ then the BSL version is ‘name yours what?’ 

“When Bea is having to translate what we have written into BSL and speak some of it in English. 

“I think BSL really lends itself to pantomime and that’s a strength of both. It’s a steep learning curve but a really positive one.”

Webster added: “It has been really good but obviously has some challenges. It’s the first time that Ayr has had deaf actors, and it has been a big learning curve for Ayr Gaeity. But the team have been so supportive even when it’s difficult.”

Now Webster - who is currently writing an entire panto in British Sign Language - hopes the production is a harbinger of change in Scotland.

“I work a lot in England and I feel like the diversity in employing deaf people there has been so much better than here and I want to be one of those people who drives change in Scotland,” they said. “There are more pioneers in England, and in Scotland we are still pushing for that change. It’s about money and also attitude.”

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Like Webster, fellow cast member Benedetta Zanetti also uses sign language on stage.

She said: “It wasn’t just about being in the first panto to have deaf actors in Scotland, but the challenge for me was also being in the ensemble because it meant I had to incorporate BSL into the choreogpahy, dancing with the dancers. 

“I still think I am polishing my performance in every show, both translation wise and dance wise. It has been a big challenge for me but it has been beautiful, and I feel very welcome. It is never boring, always very positive.

“It has been challenging and beautiful but anything worthwhile comes with its challenges and I am a strong believer in that.

“This is about representation. It’s not about having two people who can use sign language, because we can have interpreters translating the show. We have been hired and cast as actors. It’s really important to have deaf actors on stage because we can show the world that we can do it too, that there’s nothing wrong with us just because our ears don’t work. 

Mother Goose, on stage at The Gaiety Theatre in Ayr, running until Saturday January 4 2025Mother Goose, on stage at The Gaiety Theatre in Ayr, running until Saturday January 4 2025 (Image: Tommy Gan-Ken Wan)

“We can do it exactly as well as hearing actors. We just use a different language. It’s really important to have representation for the deaf community. It’s about showing that there’s space for everybody and we can make something really big and diverse and more equal.”

For Bea Webster, who has performed with the National Theatre of Scotland and the Royal Shakespeare Company, the production represents significantly more than another gig.

“We have a deaf school coming to see the show, and my own deaf drama group are coming too. and I want to be the person that I wish I had when I was growing up.

“Seeing this, the young me would think that anything is possible. I grew up with a lot of difficulties. People used to make fun of Asian people and disabled people. To see something like this up there back then would have helped me know who I was.”

Ayr Gaiety’s Mother Goose runs until 4 January 2025. Find out more at thegaiety.co.uk