A physical and non-verbal storytelling show celebrating the transformative power of grief and parenthood comes to Lowry
Combining striking physical storytelling with dynamic projection and a soundtrack that can be felt and heard, Last Rites is a non-verbal solo show told through a Deaf man’s perspective, exploring the poignant story of a complex relationship cut short.
Co-devised by Scottish-Singaporean theatre maker and Deaf artist Ramesh Meyyappan and Co-Artistic Director of Ad Infinitum George Mann, the show follows Arjun who has to travel from the UK to India to perform his father’s funeral rights. But how can he perform an ancient Hindu practice that was never passed on? In life, his father refused to learn sign language, but in death Arjun needs to find a way to say goodbye. Diving into memory sequences examining the impact of this decision on his own upbringing, Arjun also grapples with the challenge of being a dad himself. Created in response to Meyyappan and Mann’s recollection of losing their fathers, and their own lived experiences of becoming fathers, the show celebrates the transformative power of grief and parenthood.
Ramesh Meyyappan performs as intergenerational characters throughout the performance, supported by projection, bass-heavy sound design and physical storytelling to create a piece that includes some BSL with creative captions and is accessible to deaf, Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing audiences. This intimate, final ceremony brings to life a rich tapestry of shared memories and a complex relationship cut short by death.
Co-creators Ramesh Meyyappan and George Mann said, “We are delighted this piece will tour nationally to mid-scale venues, where historically underrepresented perspectives like those of our protagonist, Arjun, haven’t been given much stage time. When we began the creative process for what was to become Last Rites, we discovered that we shared so much – complex relationships with our fathers, losing them around the same time, then becoming Dads ourselves – and yet there were many things that were different and unique to our lived experiences. We found ourselves creating a play that’s a universal human story, but through a Deaf perspective. The experience of losing a parent and becoming one is hard to describe. Theatre feels like the right medium to explore this experience, a space that we hope will provoke audiences to think, connect, and share their own stories.”
A Glasgow-based Singaporean, Ramesh Meyyappan is a theatre maker and Deaf artist who develops performances using an eclectic mix of visual and physical theatre styles. Ramesh continually seeks to develop and extend his theatrical visual vocabulary, for example incorporating circus techniques, bouffon, puppetry and illusion within his work. He enjoys the challenge of creating strong narrative visual work. Over the years, his solo performances and collaborations have toured nationally and internationally (over 20 countries) to much critical acclaim. He has been nominated five times for Best Actor at the Life! Theatre Awards (Singapore) and awarded the accolade twice.
In 2024 his groundbreaking new show Love Beyond won the Leading Light: Best Scottish Production award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Scottish Theatre Awards. Ramesh is an associate artist of Raw Material and represented by Brennan Artists as an actor.
Ad Infinitum brings to Last Rites to Lowry, Salford on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th February. Tickets are available fromthelowry.com.
