All around the country, theatres put on accessible performances for different people with different needs. The ones that might spring first to mind are captioned and signed performances for those who are hard of hearing, or audio-described performances for those with visual impairments. But have you heard of relaxed performances?
What relaxed performances involve
A relaxed performance is a show that’s been adapted to suit people who might require a more relaxed environment when going to the theatre. Usually, these are adults or children with learning difficulties, autism or sensory communication disorders.
People with conditions like these can find standard theatre performances overwhelming or unpleasant. Common triggers are darkness, loud music, sudden noises and a generally unfamiliar environment where you’re expected to sit still and quiet for a long time.
To make theatre more accessible to people who might struggle with these aspects, shows will put on a relaxed performance. These do vary slightly from theatre to theatre but share common themes.
Some technical changes may have been made to the performance – this can include quieter music, reducing loud or surprising sound effects and avoiding strobe lighting.
Relaxed atmosphere
The atmosphere is exactly that – relaxed! The lights aren’t turned off and sometimes aren’t even dimmed. Theatres will often provide a ‘chill-out’ area for people to visit if the experience becomes overwhelming. Generally, people are allowed to enter and leave the auditorium freely, and there is an open attitude towards audience noise and movement.
Some theatres will also provide a social story of the theatregoing experience. Social stories are short and simple descriptions of an experience that explain what to expect in a situation and why, often with photos. These can reduce the stress of theatregoing and help people understand what is going to happen next.
Check out the video below, produced by Matilda The Musical, which explains what to expect from a relaxed performance.
To find out about upcoming relaxed performances, visit OfficialLondonTheatre.com, where you can also sign-up to receive emails.
