A FULLY-INCLUSIVE stage performance aspires to bring together the deaf community and hearing world through theatrical adventure.

Semiotic Theatre Productions presents its newest play, The Last Leaf, at the Carlisle Fringe Festival this month.

An intimate retelling of a story of the same name by O. Henry, it is an emotive and memorable tale about an artist's struggle with pneumonia.

With the incorporation of British Sign Language, this dance theatre production explores the meaning of hope and the importance of art as a form of language.

Producer Chloe Sturrock says: "I am thrilled that within a year of the company’s pilot production, Myths of the Marina, we are able to showcase The Last Leaf.

"The cast and crew have been working really hard since the idea was first created just a few months ago and I’m particularly excited to perform it in the city where the company was formed.

"The Last Leaf is a project very close to my heart and I am sure that the audience will fall in love with the piece as much as we have while making it."

Over a four-week process, the company have had to design and produce the entire production, including creating all set, props, costumes, lighting and sound.

The project was commissioned by the Creative Sparks funding project as part of Carlisle Fringe with Electric Theatre Workshop.

Semiotic Theatre Productions are one of three successful applicants to apply for the highly sought after commission.

Director Harri Elizabeth says: "As this is my directing debut at a Fringe show, I have decided it was time to challenge myself and the performers with something new as I have only previously worked within the musical theatre world myself.

"We are all very eager to bring something different to this industry and hope that through merging the language of the hearing and non-hearing communities we will be able to make theatre more accessible to all."

The Last Leaf shows in the Carlisle Fringe Festival Village, in English Street, on Tuesday August 28, from 6pm. Entrance is free.