In the comedy-drama Tribes, Billy, who is deaf, struggles to keep up with his family’s insane dinner table debates but he’s frustrated by his inability to understand the intricacies of the outlandish and loud conversation. Then he meets a woman who teaches him sign language and his entire world changes. Tribes offers a glimpse of a politically incorrect and raucous family.

Tribes gives audiences an interesting and entertaining view of a British family comprised of a mom, dad and their three adult children—Daniel, Billy and Ruth. With the three kids still at home, the dinner table is crowded, loud and out of control. Everyone has an opinion about everything but Billy, who is deaf, finds it difficult to communicate with the others in his clan. The Billy connects with Sylvia, a deaf woman who teaches him sign language. The two fall in love and when Billy uses his new method of communication with his family he upsets the status quo and creates mayhem and turmoil.

Written by Nina Raine

Director David Cromer

Set Designer Scott Pask

Lighting Designer Keith Parham

Costume Designer Tristan Raines

Sound Designer Daniel Kluger

Projection Designer Jeff Sugg

Barrow Street Theatre

27 Barrow Street

New York, NY 10014