Accessible Performances at the New Wolsey Theatre
The New Wolsey Theatre is increasing the number of performances, and productions that they offer as Accessible Performances. The introduction of Captioned performances, and the increased number of Audio Described performances is aimed to remove all barriers which may prevent people accessing live performances.
To achieve the highest standard of accessible performance the New Wolsey Theatre has joined the See a Voice project. As a result of this project, The New Wolsey Theatre will now be able to use state of the art equipment to provide Audio Described and Captioned performances.
Captioning gives deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people access to live performances. Captioning converts the spoken word into text, which is displayed on a caption unit or units situated on or next to the stage. As well as dialogue, the captions also include the name of the character who is speaking or singing and descriptions of any sound effects.
Audio description in theatre is a live verbal commentary providing information on the visual elements of a production as it unfolds. From sets, props, costumes, to actors’ facial expressions and movements across the stage: the description is delivered during the quieter moments of a performance via headphones. This will enable more audience members to enjoy a visit to their local theatre without the need to ask someone to explain what is happening, they can laugh along with the rest of the audience, and can all sit together in their family.
So what can you look forward to in spring 09 at the New Wolsey?
A Chorus of Disapproval
a New Wolsey Theatre and The Mercury Theatre, Colchester co-production.
Captioned Performance:
Wednesday 25 February at 7.45pm
BSL Signed Performance:
Friday 27 February at 7.45pm
Audio Described Performance with pre-show Touch Tour:
Saturday 28 February at 2.30pm
A Chorus of Disapproval is a bubbling and witty comedy about pants, life, love, and getting the show on… Unassuming and recently widowed Guy (played by Julian Harries from Eastern Angles) quickly becomes a local heart-throb when he joins Penton Amateur Dramatics rehearsals of The Beggar’s Opera and gets whisked along in a whirlwind of backstage politics and scorching affairs. Catapulted into the limelight, soon everyone wants a piece of him and Guy just can’t say ‘no’ to anyone, no matter how bizarre their demands might be!
Whiter than Snow
Graeae Theatre Company, a world leader in developing and promoting disabled-led theatre for a wide-ranging disabled and non-disabled audience using creative and accessible processes, presents
Audio Described and Captioned Performance:
Saturday 7 March at 2.30pm
Set in a far off, war-torn land, the Frantz family, a travelling troupe of players of small stature, struggle to tour their latest production of Snow White. Unfortunately, all is not well, the leading lady has eloped with the Prince, they are down to four dwarves and the show starts in five minutes.
Uncompromising, engaging and sharp as a knife, this is more than a fairy tale. Graeae, the UK’s flagship disabled-led theatre company takes you through dangerous and shifting landscapes rooted in history but told with humour, honesty and attitude.
This vibrant new production is a fully accessible show that appeals to disabled and non-disabled audiences. All performances incorporate full British Sign Language and an audio descriptive narrative. The narrative has been developed with blind people through rehearsal to ensure clarity. A story synopsis is available to read on arrival, a CD audio introduction, which outlines the context of the play and describes the set, costumes, and the actors’ physical interpretation of the characters is available to listen to in advance of the performance.
Further information is available at www.wolseytheatre.co.uk and at www.graeae.org.uk
William Golding’s
Lord of the Flies
one of the most disturbing and celebrated novels of modern times, is vividly brought to life in Pilot Theatre’s
award-winning production which you can see at the New Wolsey.
Captioned Performance:
Saturday 21 March at 2.30pm
A plane has crashed on an uninhabited island. The only survivors are a group of schoolboys. There are no homes or schools, no adults, no rules and before long the boys’ fragile sense of order begins to collapse. With the discovery of ‘the beast’, their games take on a more sinister significance and this once well-behaved group of children quickly turns into a bloodthirsty, murderous tribe.
Pilot integrate music, design and the latest technology to produce visually stunning theatre that is thought provoking, powerful and engages audiences of all ages.
The other accessible performances in the season are:
The Hounding of David Oluwale
West Yorkshire Playhouse, The New Wolsey Theatre and Birmingham Repertory Theatre as partners in the Eclipse Theatre initiative:
Captioned Performance:
Friday 13 March at 7.45pm
Chimps
New Wolsey Theatre:
Captioned Performances:
Tuesday 12 May at 7.45pm and Wednesday 13 May at 2.30pm
BSL Signed Performance:
Friday 15 May at 7.45pm
Audio Described Performance with pre-show Touch Tour:
Saturday 16 May at 2.30pm
Three Men in a Boat
Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds:
Audio Described Performance with pre-show Touch Tour:
Thursday 28 May at 7.45pm
If you are interested in finding out more about the assisted performances please contact Kelly Kirkbride, Access Officer [email protected]
or phone: 01473 295904
