Harrogate Theatre has today confirmed its commitment to continue with a series of new initiatives to allow patrons with visual and hearing impairments to access their productions.
 
We will continue to offer Audio Described shows with a live commentary delivered by a trained professional, via a personal headset that captures and relays the visual elements of a performance, for blind or partially sighted patrons. Alongside this will be Captioned performances which convert the spoken word into visible text, via a unit and bespoke software that provides deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people further access to live performance. As well as these they will continue to provide British Sign Language Interpreted Performances for Deaf audiences. These initiatives continue Harrogate Theatre’s ethos of being as accessible as possible for all people.
 
The new services were trialled during the recent record-breaking production of Aladdin with support from Harrogate Hard of Hearing Forum and Henshaw’s College. Harrogate Theatre has now announced access shows for the February – August 2010 season with Captioned, Audio Described and BSL performances planned for Harrogate Theatre’s production of Alan Ayckbourn’s Absent Friends, Hull Truck’s Men of the World as well as LipService Theatre Company and Harrogate Theatre’s co-production of Desperate to be Doris. To book tickets for these performances please call the Harrogate Theatre Box Office on 01423 502 116 to be allocated the appropriate seats.
 
Following the access performances of Aladdin audience members said:
 
“It was the first time I could follow music word for word. Many thanks for opening an entirely new world for us”
Captioned Theatre Goer
 
“I really rate good audio description. It’s very valuable and for me it’s like seeing again”
Audio Described Theatre Goer
 
Harrogate Theatre have been working with the national See a Voice project to develop their access provision.  The aim of See a Voice is to enable venues, across England, to offer good quality assisted performances and to increase and promote the opportunities for deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, partially sighted and blind people to attend performing arts events.  As part of See a Voice project the theatre has access to new, state of the art equipment, as well as receiving staff training to improve awareness and support to develop audiences for assisted performances.
 
The accessible performances are also supported by North Yorkshire County Council via their Community Fund.
 
KEY DATES
 
Access Performances for February – August 10 Harrogate Theatre Season
 
Alan Ayckbourn’s Absent Friends
A Harrogate Theatre and Oldham Coliseum Co-production with Anvil Arts
Captioned performance: Tuesday 9 March 7.30pm
Audio Described performance: Wednesday 10 March 7.30pm
BSL Interpreted performance: Friday 12 March 7.30pm
 
Men of the World
A Hull Truck Production
BSL Interpreted performance: Thursday 10 June 7.30pm
Audio Described performance: Saturday 12 June 2.30pm
Captioned performance: Saturday 12 June 7.30pm
 
Desperate to be Doris
A LipService and Harrogate Theatre Co-production
BSL Interpreted performance: Wednesday 7 July 7.30pm
Audio Described performance: Friday 9 July 7.30pm & Saturday 10 July 2.30pm
Captioned performance: Saturday 10 July 7.30pm
 
Dick Whittington
A Harrogate Theatre Production
Captioned performance: Wednesday 5 January 7pm
BSL Interpreted performance: Thursday 6 January 7pm
Audio Described performance: Thursday 13 January 7pm
 
To book tickets for any of the access productions please contact the Harrogate Theatre Box Office 01423 502 116