Arts Access AotearoaCreative powerhouse Jo Randerson unpacks their ADHD diagnosis, neurodivergent parenting, sad songs and men taking their time in Speed is Emotional, a “funny as hell” theatre on in Whangārei, Hamilton and Wellington in early 2026.
It’s produced by Barbarian theatre company, which is committed to making its performances as inclusive and accessible as possible. This includes teaming up with Deaf and hearing theatre company, Hamilton-based Equal Voices Arts to offer a bilingual NZSL/English version of the show putting Deaf actor Pollyanna Fergusson on stage performing alongside Jo Randerson.
Speed is Emotional is offering these “bilingual integrated performances” in each city. Dr Laura Haughey, Artistic Director of Equal Voices Arts, says this version is more than a direct translation where the NZSL interpreter stands on the side of the stage to interpret.
“Pollyanna and Jo respond to each other, at times improvise together, and Pollyanna is onstage embedded in the action while also signing,” Laura explains.
Rāhera Turner, NZSL Creative Consultant adds: “At times, Pollyanna veers away from what Jo is saying and uses her own experience or changes the narrative to make it Deaf culture-friendly.”
In Speed is Emotional, Jo bares their soul, sharing the exhilaration, exhaustion, joy and absurdity of living and parenting with neurodivergence. They weave their trademark punk poetic magic into a physical comedy about transcending labels and living life with a voltage so high it’s going to blow the mains.
”We’ve been excited by the creative possibilities of access,” Laura says. “Weaving NZSL into the fabric of this version of the work adds a rich layer of visual and physical language, creating a shared experience for Deaf and hearing audiences alike.”
Pollyanna adds: “We think this is the first time a Deaf performer or interpreter has been integrated into the action in this way. It’s really exciting. I’m not just there as an interpreter; I’m there as an actor too.”
Workshopping with Equal Voices Arts
Barbarian started working in 2024 with Wellington-based actor Pollyanna and with creative consultants Laura and Rāhera Turner from Equal Voices Arts to workshop this version of the performance after Jo had finished creating the show.
“It was so cool to work as a team to play with the script and discover how it might translate to NZS,” Jo says. “It was also great to explore how best to express the themes, music and humour in ways that are linguistically and culturally best related to by Deaf audiences.”
Rāhera Turner highlights the key differences between a bilingual integrated and an NZSL interpreted show. “In regular NZSL interpreted performances there is a hearing interpreter at the side of the stage and as a Deaf audience, we have to choose. Do we look at the interpreter or the show? So we always miss something. But when we have a bilingual integrated show we can connect with the whole performance.”
After a successful premiere touring season early in 2025 to Wanaka, Dunedin and Auckland, Speed is Emotional returns to Barbarian’s home town for a season at Wellington’s Circa Theatre as part of the Aotearoa New Zealand International Arts Festival in March.
In February, "Speed is Emotional" will also be touring to Whangārei and then Hamilton as part of the Hamilton Arts Festival. The two cities will include both the original and bilingual integrated versions of the show.
In addition to the integrated performances, every performance of Speed is Emotional is “relaxed” so audience members who need to move around or take a break can do so.
In Wellington, there are also audio described performances for blind and low vision audiences with a touch tour pre-show.
There’s also Speed Wobbles, a 60-minute participatory workshop for neurodivergent children, adults or those working with neurodivergent folk led, by Jo.
For more information and bookings, visit Barbarian’s website.
Season information
Wellington season
March 11 to 28
Circa Theatre
Whāngarei season
February 17 and 18
ONEONESIX
Hamilton season
February 21 and 22
Meteor Theatre
More information about Barbarian
Making life full of art, full of life. Founded by Jo Randerson in 2001, Barbarian has evolved as a powerful creative force, with partner Thomas LaHood, a small team of dedicated staff and a horde of independent artists, performers, designers, makers and technicians.
We are driven by our belief in radical fun, courageous expression, fluidity, generosity and participation: that’s what keeps our play real for us and our audience.
Previous works include U R Here, Grand Opening, Sing it to my Face, Soft ‘n’ Hard and Banging Cymbal, Clanging Gong.
Jo’s new book "Secret Art Powers" outlines six counter-cultural powers central to art thinking: lies, multiplicity, fluidity, failure, live body and imagination. It's available online at Barbarian's website.
