A UNIVERSITY is inviting members of the public to visit its campus to give feedback in an innovative sign-film project aimed at the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

Signdance Collective, performers of innovative sign-dance theatre, is company-in-residence at Buckinghamshire New University and have performed and filmed the play Dragonfly using sign language and acting.

It will be screened in the Gateway building at the University in Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, alongside an audio piece which was transmitted on BBC Radio 4, next month.

The film of the play, which sees actors using sign language to communicate, was made at Bucks New University with Signdance Collective’s Artistic Director David Bower in the lead role.

It has been available on the Radio 4 website since Friday, September 30. The audio was produced by the BBC and was available as a podcast on the Radio 4 website for a week.

The play was written was Katie Hims especially for David Bower and Sophie Woolley, of Tin Bath Theatre Company. It is directed by Sue Roberts and tells the story of Cal (Bower), who is expecting a baby with girlfriend Sophie (Woolley).

As deaf parents, in amongst the excitement, they have few concerns, but every time Sophie has a scan at the hospital Cal is sick. His behaviour becomes more and more uncharacteristic. Sophie begins to worry when Cal finds letters from an old girlfriend and decides he has to go and see her.

The story tells how Cal has to resolve the past before he can move forward as a father and fully enjoy Sophie’s pregnancy. In order to get there he has to return to the place he grew up – Rochdale – and re-examine his past.

Isolte Avila, Dance Director and performer with Signdance Collective, said Dragonfly was the third sign-radio piece the company had produced in collaboration with BBC Radio 4 and was unique in involving actors carrying out sign language while performing.

She said: "It's a very exciting project meaning that deaf people can enjoy the performance by logging on to the Radio 4 website. Now the BBC is keen to get feedback from an audience on what they make of the show.

"It's a new means of access for the deaf community and an innovative way of looking at drama. We are looking to do more work with the BBC."

Signdance Collective won the prestigious AMI Award for Dance 2009 and has toured the world working alongside composers and musicians.

The performance between 12pm-2pm on Tuesday 15 November. To book email event.bucks@gmail.com