Access Performances

Venues

When touring our productions, we encourage the venues that we work with to promote how their building is accessible. Go to the Venues page on our website, where you will find links to the access information (if available) for each venue we work with.

Audio Description

Audio description can make performances accessible to blind or visually impaired audiences as it involves live description of the action on stage through a headset.

We offer an audio described performance at every venue on every tour. To find out where and when audio described performances will be, go to the On Stage page and click on the show you want to see. By clicking Book Now, you will see a list of tour dates with audio described performances clearly noted. Or you can click the Access tab on the show page, where a clear list of upcoming audio described performances and other resources will be available.

An audio leaflet will also be available on the Access tab, detailing the show and when the audio described performances are across the tour.

Touch Tours

A touch tour offers blind and visually impaired audiences an opportunity to see and interact with the set, costumes and props used in a show before watching the performance, in order to familiarise themselves with what to expect. A touch tour will be available on the same day as the audio described performance at a venue, and will be listed on your local venue's website if it's available. If you are unsure, get in touch with the venue's box office.

Visual Guides

A visual guide offers an introduction to the characters and story of a production, for anyone who would benefit from familiarising themselves with what to expect. A visual guide will be available on the Access tab of the show page, and may also be available on your local venue's website.

You can look at some examples of visual guides below.

Sensory Adapted Performances

In January 2022, we presented our first sensory adapted performance, of Nutcracker!, in collaboration with Go Live Theatre Projects and Sadler’s Wells Theatre. Since then, we have offered a sensory adapted performance each year for our winter production. If you would like to find out more, join our mailing list to be the first to hear about upcoming performances, or get in touch directly with any questions.

A sensory adapted performance is designed for those with learning or communication difficulties, those on the autistic spectrum, or anyone with other sensory or communication needs that would benefit from a relaxed environment. A welcoming space is created by making adjustments to the lighting and sound so that they are not overwhelming, providing chill out spaces across the building in case anyone wants to leave the auditorium at any time, and disregarding the usual 'rules' of the theatre such as sitting still and staying quiet.