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Energetic Coventry interpreter's passion for making music accessible Energetic Coventry interpreter's passion for making music accessible
(about 5 hours later)
Clare Edwards has signed at Olivia Rodrigo, Guns N' Roses and Clean Bandit concerts this summerClare Edwards has signed at Olivia Rodrigo, Guns N' Roses and Clean Bandit concerts this summer
A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter hailed for her energetic performances at Eurovision and Glastonbury has said she just wants to make music accessible to deaf people.A British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter hailed for her energetic performances at Eurovision and Glastonbury has said she just wants to make music accessible to deaf people.
Clare Edwards from Coventry shot to social media fame when her flamboyant moves attracted the audience's attention.Clare Edwards from Coventry shot to social media fame when her flamboyant moves attracted the audience's attention.
Ms Edwards, who calls herself the Purple Interpreter and wears outfits to match the name, has already interpreted for Clean Bandit, Guns N' Roses, Stevie Wonder and Glastonbury headliner Olivia Rodrigo this summer alone.Ms Edwards, who calls herself the Purple Interpreter and wears outfits to match the name, has already interpreted for Clean Bandit, Guns N' Roses, Stevie Wonder and Glastonbury headliner Olivia Rodrigo this summer alone.
She said "hours and hours" of preparation went into her performances, and it was "all about listening to the music and working out what the vibe is".She said "hours and hours" of preparation went into her performances, and it was "all about listening to the music and working out what the vibe is".
Ms Edwards said she had "always wanted to work in the theatre" and studied arts music and drama at university.Ms Edwards said she had "always wanted to work in the theatre" and studied arts music and drama at university.
She started signing in the theatre and said she still did a lot of work there, including at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Globe Theatre and the Albany Theatre, close to her home.She started signing in the theatre and said she still did a lot of work there, including at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Globe Theatre and the Albany Theatre, close to her home.
She said she could not remember how the offers of work from the music industry started, but it came through reputation and word-of-mouth.She said she could not remember how the offers of work from the music industry started, but it came through reputation and word-of-mouth.
Ms Edwards shot to fame her performance at Eurovision and GlastonburyMs Edwards shot to fame her performance at Eurovision and Glastonbury
Her interpretation of the music takes a lot of thought and she said: "The point of it is to convey the whole sense of the sound. How can I convey that with my body?"Her interpretation of the music takes a lot of thought and she said: "The point of it is to convey the whole sense of the sound. How can I convey that with my body?"
That meant her performances were planned to match the feel of the music, but her style is her own.That meant her performances were planned to match the feel of the music, but her style is her own.
"That's just me, that's just how I am," she explained."That's just me, that's just how I am," she explained.
She also said she used every moment she had to practice and often found herself "giving it large" while she was stuck in traffic.She also said she used every moment she had to practice and often found herself "giving it large" while she was stuck in traffic.
Despite working with some big names, she said she often did not meet the stars themselves, but "absolutely had the best time".Despite working with some big names, she said she often did not meet the stars themselves, but "absolutely had the best time".
There have been calls on social media for her represent the UK at Eurovision next year, which Ms Edwards said were "ridiculous".There have been calls on social media for her represent the UK at Eurovision next year, which Ms Edwards said were "ridiculous".
She said her job was not about the fame and explained: "It's about deaf people watching the programme, getting the access and being able to enjoy it on a par with their hearing colleagues, friends and family."She said her job was not about the fame and explained: "It's about deaf people watching the programme, getting the access and being able to enjoy it on a par with their hearing colleagues, friends and family."
Rita Bagga (left) and Jayne Main (right) are both deaf and recently attended Godiva FestivalRita Bagga (left) and Jayne Main (right) are both deaf and recently attended Godiva Festival
Rita Bagga and Jayne Main from Coventry are both deaf and have been friends since primary school.Rita Bagga and Jayne Main from Coventry are both deaf and have been friends since primary school.
Ms Bagga had never been to a festival, however with the help of Ms Edwards she recently attended the city's Godiva festival, where alongside her lifelong friend, she experienced her first taste of live music. Ms Bagga had never been to Godiva festival, however with the help of Ms Edwards and her fellow interpreters, she attended this year's event.
Ms Edwards signed while Heather Small sang her classic single "Proud" out to the crowd, Ms Bagga said the interpretation enabled her to connect with what was happening on the stage. An interpreter signed while Heather Small sang her classic single "Proud" out to the crowd, with Ms Bagga saying the interpretation enabled her to connect with what was happening on the stage.
"It's just amazing," she signed, "I can see the music"."It's just amazing," she signed, "I can see the music".
Amy Mace said Ms Edwards' interpretations at Birmingham Pride earlier this year helped her feel "so included"Amy Mace said Ms Edwards' interpretations at Birmingham Pride earlier this year helped her feel "so included"
Amy Mace from Northampton said Ms Edward's had helped her to enjoy Birmingham Pride earlier this year. Amy Mace, from Northampton, said Ms Edward's had helped her to enjoy Birmingham Pride earlier this year.
"I was in floods of tears," she signed."I was in floods of tears," she signed.
"Finally I had access and I understood the music, I understood the drag queens and their jokes. "Finally. I had access and I understood the music, I understood the drag queens and their jokes".
Ms Mace added that she felt "so included" and equal to a hearing person. Ms Mace added she felt "so included" and equal to a hearing person.
Ms Edwards said she often found herself "giving it large" while she was sat in trafficMs Edwards said she often found herself "giving it large" while she was sat in traffic
Julia, 16, a death metal fan from the city, has cochlear implants that help her hear some music, especially when it has a good beat, but she agrees that BSL interpreters were a good thing for the deaf community as a whole.Julia, 16, a death metal fan from the city, has cochlear implants that help her hear some music, especially when it has a good beat, but she agrees that BSL interpreters were a good thing for the deaf community as a whole.
Ms Bagga added that without signing from Ms Edwards, music "doesn't mean anything" to her.Ms Bagga added that without signing from Ms Edwards, music "doesn't mean anything" to her.
Listen: Coventry BSL interpreter who stole the show at Glastonbury
Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.