Relaxed, BSL, captioned and audio-described performances: how to find and book them

What is a relaxed performance at the theatre?

ATG says the show itself is unchanged, but house lights stay dimly on, strobe lighting may be taken out and loud bangs are softened or cut. People can come and go, noise and movement are accepted, and there are extra staff and quiet spaces. Bookers are sent a visual story with photos of the theatre and show beforehand.

What is a captioned theatre performance?

ATG explains that captions work much like TV subtitles: the words being spoken or sung appear on display units at the same moment, along with speaker names, sound effects and offstage noises. The units may sit in the set, beside the stage or in the auditorium. Captions help deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people, and people whose first language is not English.

What is the difference between captioning and live subtitling?

Stagetext says theatre captioning is used for scripted shows and is prepared in advance, then cued live by a captioner. Live subtitling is for unscripted speech such as talks and tours, and is typed in real time by a speech to text reporter.

Where can I find captioned performances near me?

Stagetext runs a What's On listing of captioned and subtitled shows, tours and talks across the UK. You can search by keyword, date, location and distance, filter by event type, and sign up for daily or weekly email alerts.

What is an audio described performance?

VocalEyes describes it as a live spoken commentary on the visual side of a show, such as action, staging, costumes, facial expressions and visual jokes, so blind and visually impaired people can follow it. The describer speaks in the pauses between dialogue and the commentary is sent by infrared, radio or WiFi to a small receiver you wear.

What is a touch tour and an audio introduction?

VocalEyes says a touch tour takes place before the show and lets audience members explore the set, props and costumes and meet members of the cast. For shows it describes, it also publishes an audio introduction of 10 to 15 minutes about the set, characters and costumes on its website, and lists the shows in a quarterly What's On guide available in print, braille and audio.

How do I get the audio description at an ATG theatre?

ATG says a trained describer gives an introduction before the show and then describes the action during quiet moments. Depending on the venue, you either use Mobile Connect on your own device, which needs no advance booking, or an infrared headset, which you reserve through the venue's Access Champion or when you book.

What is a BSL interpreted or signed performance?

At ATG venues, trained British Sign Language interpreters usually stand at one side of the stage and sign the script as the actors perform it. ATG lists the dates on a separate upcoming signed performances page.

How do I find out when ATG access performances are on?

ATG keeps an Upcoming Access/Assisted Performances section on its help site listing audio described, BSL interpreted, relaxed and captioned dates. These performances also carry the matching access logo in ATG brochures and online listings.

How do I book access seats and a companion ticket with ATG?

You need to be registered with ATG's free Access Membership and logged in with the email linked to it, or access prices will not show. Seats for people with sight or hearing needs carry the access symbol on the seating plan, wheelchair spaces carry a wheelchair icon, and an Essential Companion option appears if your membership includes it.

What access performances does the National Theatre run and how do I book them?

The National Theatre offers audio described, BSL interpreted, captioned and relaxed performances, each with its own filtered listing on its website. Its free Access Scheme lets deaf, disabled and neurodivergent visitors book access seats online and get adjusted prices for themselves and a companion. Because the best captioned and BSL seats are set nearer the date, it suggests calling 020 7452 3961 or emailing the box office to book early.

What is a chilled or relaxed performance at the RSC?

On the RSC page for its production of English, a chilled performance keeps the show the same but takes a more relaxed attitude to noise and movement, and you can leave and come back during the show. For captioned shows the text appears on an LED screen beside the stage that is not clearly visible from every seat, and for signed shows you should tell the box office so you can be seated with a clear view of the interpreter.

What happens at an autism friendly cinema screening?

ODEON runs autism friendly screenings of new films once a month on a Sunday morning with the charity Dimensions. Lights stay on low, the sound is quieter, there are no trailers or adverts, and more movement and noise is fine. To find one, use the Autism Friendly Screenings filter on your local cinema's listings.

Does Cineworld do autism friendly and subtitled screenings?

Cineworld says its autism friendly screenings usually run on the first Sunday of the month (the first Saturday at Enfield), with low lights, lower sound, no trailers or adverts, and your own food and drink allowed. A few sites, including Leicester Square and Greenwich O2, do not hold them.

How often does Cineworld show subtitled films?

Cineworld says every site shows subtitled screenings of one new release, usually at least twice a week on Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings, with some larger sites adding Thursday evenings. Its listings are at cineworld.com/subtitled.

How do I find subtitled screenings at ODEON?

ODEON shows captioned screenings when a film is released with captions for people who are hard of hearing. Choose the Open captioned (OC) filter when looking at your local cinema's showtimes.