Last Rites

How do you say goodbye when words were never there?

Arjun’s father never learnt to sign, and now that he’s gone, Arjun must find his own way to honour him. In a world where ancient traditions meet modern reality, Arjun embarks on a deeply personal and visually mesmerising quest to create a farewell ritual for his father – one woven from memory, love, and loss.

Travel from the UK to India in Last Rites, a stunning fusion of visual storytelling, electrifying movement, and an immersive soundscape you can feel as well as hear. This is theatre like you’ve never experienced it before, rich with emotion, beauty, and innovation.

Created by internationally acclaimed theatre-makers Ramesh Meyyappan and George Mann, multi-award-winning Ad Infinitum’s (Translunar Paradise ★★★★★ The Observer, Light ★★★★★ The Times) Last Rites redefines what theatre can be.

A feast for the senses, designed for everyone. With no spoken words, this unforgettable performance speaks in movement, visuals, and rhythm. Featuring creative captions, Sign Language, and a deep, resonant soundtrack that can be felt or heard, Last Rites is truly for deaf, Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing audiences alike.

A story of love. A story of loss. A story that transcends language.

Last Rites is a non-verbal piece of theatre that is accessible to D/deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing audiences. The performance includes some BSL with creative captions and a soundtrack with heavy use of bass so that it can be felt or heard by audience members.

Artwork by Martha Hegarty with photos by Mihaela Bodlovic and Camilla Greenwell

Last Rites is made possible through funding from Arts Council England and Bristol City Council and co-commissioned by London International Mime Festival, Derby Theatre and Corn Exchange Newbury. This production is supported by Paul and Joanna Pearson.