Accessible theatre visits on the increase
What kind of mandarin is it? Is it puffed up, easy to peel? Or wrapped tightly in its skin?
Describing something perfectly – either with your voice or in sign language – can be a difficult job, but it’s one that is growing in museums and theatres around the country, opening art to everyone, including people with low vision, low hearing or learning difficulties.
Paralympic swimmer Mary Fisher spent her weekend with students from the lowvision school BLENNZ, taking in an accessible version of Puss In Boots at Circa Theatre.
She said for comedies especially, visuals were important and she could recall sitting in theatres, not understanding why everyone else was laughing.
But a Touch Tour before the show, and a trained audio-describer, made a real difference for low-vision audience members.
‘‘It’s really satisfying when you can engage meaningfully with something you wouldn’t be able to normally,’’ she said. ‘‘Having access to all parts of society, be it education, employment or participating in the arts, all those things lessen isolation and get people engaged in the community.’’
Trained audio describer and Te Papa host Judith Jones has described everything from events, artworks and now plays.
She described the Puss In Boots pantomime for Fisher and the BLENNZ students, speaking into their ears through headphones, seeking the right gaps in the dialogue to explain what was happening.
‘‘The key thing in theatre is using these tools to make what’s already happening a really rich experience for people,’’ Jones said.
To that end a Touch Tour was included in the performance, where students could get up close with costumes and props, and meet actors and their characters.
‘‘I think people are just really getting to understand there is an option that works for as many people as possible.
‘‘Some people are still amazed that this is happening.’’
Circa Theatre’s Georgia Latief said the number of accessible performances, including sign language shows and ‘‘relaxed’’ performances for young people with learning difficulties, were on the rise.
The theatre has hosted more than half a dozen performances over the last year and requests have already rolled in about adding more for its 2019 season. ‘‘We want everything to feel welcome,’’ Latief said.
From Bats Theatre to the Royal New Zealand Ballet, more and more theatres and art groups are adding accessible performances to their runs to feed a growing demand. For Jones, there was no question why art should be accessible to everyone: according to the Office for Disability Issues, 25 per cent of Kiwis are limited by a physical, sensory, learning, mental health or other impairment.
‘‘Theatre’s a social thing, coming to the museum is a social thing,’’ she said.
‘‘I think it’s lovely to have everyone able to come, sit back and enjoy it.’’
She also hosts sensory tours at Te Papa incorporating smells and touch into an exhibit. ‘‘They can make a really rich exhibition for themselves.’’
Creating accessible theatre and tours was a work of collaboration: from education with groups like Arts Access Aotearoa, to listening to feedback from people who attended, the scene is constantly evolving.
‘‘A normal theatre experience you just sit and watch,’’ Latief said. ‘‘We want to provide a fuller experience.’’ 7pm to raise money for Wellington Sexual Abuse HELP. They’ve decided to release extra tickets – $25 for a dance party for everyone to boogie to a very Shut Up and Dance playlist. Details are available through eventbrite.co.nz.
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