This July, the Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company will be piloting an exciting new project – the first ever audio-described performance at the theatre.

Designed for patrons who are blind or partially sighted, this undertaking has been created in collaboration with local accessibility initiative TheatreMyWay, which was founded to improve inclusivity in theatre spaces. 

Fittingly, our first use of this new technology will be seen in Guys and Dolls, a production by our very own Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company, with ten dedicated seats available for the Saturday matinee. As well as atmospheric narration, the discreet headsets also provide important visual information such as facial expressions and evocative descriptions of the costumes and scenery during pauses between dialogue.

TheatreMyWay founder Gemma McDonald told us, “Audio Description is about so much more than describing what can be seen on stage; it connects the user with the magic of a live performance. We’re incredibly excited that the Joseph Rowntree Theatre Company has embraced this opportunity to pilot it. Their commitment to accessibility and inclusion has been evident from our very first conversations, and we’re proud to be working together to make this happen.

“We hope this is the start of something much bigger – not only for the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, but for community theatre across York and beyond.”

Audio Descriptions 

Audio Description is a live spoken commentary delivered through a headset during a performance.

It describes important visual information such as actions, facial expressions, costumes and scene changes during pauses in dialogue, helping audiences follow every moment of the story.

Audio Description allows audiences to experience the atmosphere, movement and visual storytelling that make live theatre so special.

Take a listen: https://youtu.be/IDxuzJiDI0Y?is=OY9qFI7H7PsmooAB

Touch Tour

A Touch Tour is a guided experience before a performance where audience members can explore costumes, props and parts of the set through touch.

It provides an opportunity to become familiar with the performance space, meet characters and build a deeper understanding of the visual elements of the production before the show begins

Touch Tours can help audiences feel more confident, relaxed and connected to the story they are about to experience.

Guys and Dolls runs from Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 July, with all proceeds helping to support the theatre and protect it for future generations. Audio-described tickets are available from the box office.

To find out more about TheatreMyWay, you can visit their instagram and facebook page, or contact the team directly at theatremyway@gmail.com