Salzburg stages Austria’s first cabaret with sign language interpreting

Alfred Dorfer’s cabaret performance in Salzburg last week was the first in Austria to be interpreted live into sign language, ORF reported. Around 25 deaf people attended.

Salzburg resident Biggi Wintersteller said she was pleased to learn the show would have an interpreter. “There is very little cultural programming with interpreters, so we are making the most of this,” she said.

Making arts and culture accessible takes considerable planning. Anna Huber, the sign language interpreter, spent months preparing for the performance, said Martina Fladerer of ArgeKultur, the event’s organizer. The nearly two-hour show was so demanding that Huber could not give an interview that evening.

Dorfer said he would be glad to repeat the experience now that the team had found its rhythm. Organizers and deaf audience members hope such performances will be held regularly.