This week, we are highlighting Fifi Garfield, a Deaf creative with a passion for the arts and the beauty of storytelling. From her first stage appearance at 19 with the London Deaf Drama Group to starring in ITV’s Code of Silence, Fifi has done it all, from being a cameraperson, director and actor. With a passion for British Sign Language (BSL) and authentic Deaf representation, Fifi has helped shift perceptions and open doors for future generations. In this blog, Fifi shares her remarkable path and her hopes for a more inclusive future in the creative industry.
- Could you introduce yourself to our Signature engagers and tell us a bit about your journey into the arts?
My name is Fifi. My journey into the arts began with the London Deaf Drama Group (LDDG). I was 19 years old when I first joined the group and stepped on a stage. My journey through the arts has taken a few twists and turns. I started out wanting to be window dresser. That led to a course in Art where we did life drawing (I failed that part!), pottery, and photography. This was my first introduction to photography, and I was captivated by it. I went on to do more training in this area. So, throughout my career, I have been a professional photographer, cameraperson and that led into media and TV production. I have been a Director, Production Manager as well as an in-vision BSL translator and an actor! Throughout this career, I have returned to the stage numerous times- mostly with Deafinitley Theatre. I love performing. So, my journey through the arts has been very varied. No two days the same!
- How did you find growing up as a Deaf individual with a passion for creativity and performance?
I have to be honest and say that when I was growing up, I never thought I would be an actor, or artist, or someone in the creative industry. There were no deaf role models back then. I saw no deaf people as actors, photographers, camera people… I didn’t think I could do that job or career. I thought it was a door that was closed to me. I always believed my job opportunities would be limited as I am not confident when conversing in written English. When I look at my family, it is only my twin sister Paula (an actor and Artistic Director of Deafinitley Theatre) and I that have jobs in the creative field. Everyone else is in more administrative jobs. My mum loved poetry, but as an interest, not a job. I never believed I would be here today. It is so great to see that times have changed. Young deaf people have role models in so many different jobs and areas. Through social media they are exposed to so many opportunities and things they can do. I am so pleased to see that for the future generations.
- You have been involved in a range of creative projects over the years. What are some of the key milestones in your journey so far?
This is a tough question! I’m so grateful for all the projects and experiences I’ve been involved in. Trying to pick some of the key milestones is so hard. But I’ve picked my top three for this question. Number – the British Telecom (BT) TV advert. I remember when I got picked for this, I was so shocked, I never thought that I would get it. There were so many other women up for the role, many of them very glamourous then there’s me, short, mousy brown hair and a slightly larger woman who gets the job! That was an amazing experience, I loved that job. Number 2- Switch (BBC Drama). This was a deaf soap opera made by the BBC, written by David Horbury, and directed by Louis Neethling. This was back in the early 2000s. I loved it. Being part of a continuing drama with new and exciting storylines with a group of deaf actors and creatives was fantastic. I feel very privileged to have been a part of this. And number 3 is performing as Hermia in A midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. This was back in 2014 for Deafinitley Theatre and directed by Paula Garfield.
Performing a Shakespeare play on the stage of the Globe was a once in a lifetime experience. I never thought would get to do that- ever. I have also been a cameraperson in multiple projects over the years- more than 20 years (now I’ve retired from this due to my age!). I’m so grateful for the opportunities and experiences through these film and TV projects. So many wonderful people let us in to their lives and let us film them. I will be forever grateful for these experiences. And I must mention Code of Silence. To play a part in a prime-time ITV Drama on a Sunday Night for 6 weeks was amazing. I have done other roles in short films before, many for LumoTV, and I have always to breakthrough to a mainstream channel and in a primetime evening slot. Mission accomplished!
- You have just appeared in the popular ITV drama, Code of Silence. Can you tell us a bit more about the role you played and what initially drew you to the project?
Code of Silence was a fantastic project to work on- a primetimes, Sunday night, 6-part ITV thriller. I was delighted to be involved in this. My character is Julie Brooks. She’s the deaf single-mother of Alison- played by Rose Ayling-Ellis. I remember auditioning for the project by sending a self-tape. Then I heard nothing from them for ages. I thought I hadn’t got it. Then, I was offered a recall audition. Rose was there. I knew Rose before this project and so it was lovely and comfortable. We knew each other. We could communicate in British Sign Language (BSL) fluently and comfortably with each other. When I was offered this role, I was over the moon- so happy. I couldn’t believe I would be in a mainstream prime-time 6-episode thriller, on Sunday nights, in people’s living rooms! They would be watching me, a deaf woman showing that deaf people are just like you. We are everyday normal people. I wanted to challenge some pre-existing views about deaf people and this project gave me the opportunity to do just that. It was a fantastic project to entertain as well as raise awareness of deaf people in society.
- How did the production team work to ensure accessibility and authenticity in portraying Deaf characters and BSL on screen?
When I first read the script for Code of Silence, I was pleased to see there was already accurate information there about deaf people, BSL and our culture. I play a deaf mum who is a strong BSL user and doesn’t use her spoken voice. In my own life, I rarely use my spoken voice and so I felt a connection to this character. Rose, playing my daughter in the show meant that I would have full scenes in BSL only. No spoken dialogue needed. The producers decided to put open written English captions on the screen for these scenes so that hearing audiences could follow the dialogue. We did a screening of the first episode and one of the hearing actors came up to me after and said what an impact the scenes in my home had on her. She said it was so interesting to get a glimpse in to what life is like fr deaf people. She could hear noises, such as out hands hitting when using BSL, and whispering of words but the rest was “silent” for her. I had never considered before what a hearing non-BSL user would get from those scenes. Hopefully we have shown an authentic portrayal of what life is like living in a “deaf home”. I know Rose was involved in the early stages of script development and gave a lot of feedback on making the portrayal authentic. For example, the lines about the frustrations we face with the delays of the Access to Work Scheme- that’s so true, especially at the moment. It’s great to spread awareness of this to the wider community. Also, there were a couple of words I wanted to change in my dialogue. I had chats with the Director and creative team about why I wanted to change them, and they accepted this. It was wonderful to have flexibility to ensure authenticity. Also, we had a BSL monitor on set to make sure the BSL was clear on screen, in frame and able to be read by others.
- Representation of Deaf stories and Deaf perspectives in mainstream media is growing, but there is still work to do. What changes would you like to see next?
I want the mainstream to be aware that deaf people can be noisy! We laugh loudly, we slam cupboard doors, we burp, we make wheezing noises when we walk too fast, and we fart! There is a lot of focus on making sure things are “silent” in order for the mainstream to understand the deaf world, but the deaf world is far far from silent! I would love to see deaf actors being free to use more NMF- non manual features in their delivery and more multi-channel signs (ones with no direct English equivalence or lip pattern). I would love to see the advantages of BSL being shown visually – let us communicate far away from each other or under water or through thick glass, i.e., tube window. Let’s raise awareness to mainstream society about the advantages of learning BSL to be able to communicate in different ways. I want to see more positive portrayals of deaf people. Not the same deaf victims or people having problems. Some deaf people are confident individuals, and some are not (just like in mainstream society) and I would love to see stories that show these positive portrayals as normal everyday characters. These would provide great role models to mainstream society as well as to deaf individuals who are not as confident in their deaf identity. The biggest change I would like to see is more opportunities for deaf actors who use BSL and do not use their spoken voices. There is still a barrier out there. I would love to see writers being bolder, directors taking more risks and audiences being more flexible with differing communication methods on screen. It doesn’t always have to have a deaf or hard of hearing writer. Any writer could create a script and then consult with a deaf actor/creative person to give input of making a character deaf or how to deliver the BSL or more cultural elements. There are ways of making a character deaf or how to deliver the BSL or more cultural elements. There are ways of making it work. (Also, I would love to see more deaf writers out there getting more opportunities and telling more stories too!) I want both things to happen!
- How do you think BSL can add depth and emotion to a performance?
As a deaf woman and a BSL user I am very biased in this question. I firmly believe that BSL adds depth and emotion to any performance as it gives the performance another layer, a visual layer. It makes the performance feel like it’s from a 360-degree perspective. I suppose what I am trying to say is BSL can add a powerful layer of depth and emotion to a performance by making communication visual, expressive, and inclusive. Unlike spoken language, BSL uses the whole body- hands, facial expression, and movement- to convey meaning. This physically often brings out the emotional truth of a scene in a very raw and honest way. For example, emotions like anger, love, grief, or joy can be shown more vividly through the intensity of signing, facial expression, and pace. The audience doesn’t just hear words- they see the emotion, which can create a much stronger emotional connection.
BSL allows deaf audiences to fully engage with the performance, helping create a more inclusive space where stories can be shared and felt by everyone. When used well, BSL doesn’t just translate words- it becomes part of the storytelling itself, adding richness, rhythm, and visual poetry that spoken language alone may not achieve.
- And finally, what is coming up next for you? Are there any exciting projects or roles which are upcoming for you?
Well, I am always waiting for that call from Hollywood! Next month, in July 2025, I am off on a mini-UK tour in a production of The Vagina Monologues by Deafinitley Theatre. We are going to Birmingham, Sheffield, and Exeter. Then I have got some stand-up comedy gigs booked in. I didn’t mention that earlier! I started doing stand-up comedy last year and I love it! Am I funny? Or am I not? That is the question. Apart from that, well the door is always open. I am hopeful for some new and exciting projects in the not-too-distant future… Let’s hope Hollywood has my number!
Here at Signature, we would like to thank Fifi for sharing more about her passion for the arts. From her early days on stage to her role in Code of Silence, she continues to break new ground for Deaf representation in the arts. Her journey inspires not only the Deaf community but also wider audiences to embrace inclusivity and celebrate the richness that diverse voices bring to our screens and stages.