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'Relaxed' theatre performances will let autistic children enjoy hit shows 'Relaxed' theatre performances will let autistic children enjoy hit shows
(4 months later)
A new programme of specially adapted "relaxed" performances will soon allow families with autistic children to see hit shows at theatres in the West End and throughout Britain.A new programme of specially adapted "relaxed" performances will soon allow families with autistic children to see hit shows at theatres in the West End and throughout Britain.
On Saturday, the National Theatre's production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time will be performed at the Apollo Theatre in London, modified for people with autism, learning disabilities and sensory or communication needs.On Saturday, the National Theatre's production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time will be performed at the Apollo Theatre in London, modified for people with autism, learning disabilities and sensory or communication needs.
It will be the first West End performance in a pilot scheme from the Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts, the Society of London Theatre and the Theatre Management Association. The full programme will be rolled out nationally next year. The plan is for relaxed performances to become as standard a part of a show's schedule, as signed performances are for the hearing-impaired. While many performances will be aimed at children, the scheme will cater for people of all ages with special needs.It will be the first West End performance in a pilot scheme from the Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts, the Society of London Theatre and the Theatre Management Association. The full programme will be rolled out nationally next year. The plan is for relaxed performances to become as standard a part of a show's schedule, as signed performances are for the hearing-impaired. While many performances will be aimed at children, the scheme will cater for people of all ages with special needs.
Many aspects of a standard theatre experience can cause difficulties for autistic people. Busy foyers, unexpected music, lights going up and down and applause can all be unsettling. Even the interval can confuse children because it seems strange to leave the auditorium in the middle of an event.Many aspects of a standard theatre experience can cause difficulties for autistic people. Busy foyers, unexpected music, lights going up and down and applause can all be unsettling. Even the interval can confuse children because it seems strange to leave the auditorium in the middle of an event.
During a relaxed performance, the house lights will often stay on during the show and families will be warned when to expect loud noises. For anyone overwhelmed during the performance, a "chill out" area will be provided. In a number of the venues, the show can be followed via speakers or a screen so that the audience is not disoriented by a disjointed story upon re-entering the auditorium. There are also pre-show walks around the theatre.During a relaxed performance, the house lights will often stay on during the show and families will be warned when to expect loud noises. For anyone overwhelmed during the performance, a "chill out" area will be provided. In a number of the venues, the show can be followed via speakers or a screen so that the audience is not disoriented by a disjointed story upon re-entering the auditorium. There are also pre-show walks around the theatre.
The Curious Incident won seven Olivier awards this year, including best new play and best actor for Luke Treadaway as the central character, Christopher, a 15-year-old maths prodigy with high-functioning autism.The Curious Incident won seven Olivier awards this year, including best new play and best actor for Luke Treadaway as the central character, Christopher, a 15-year-old maths prodigy with high-functioning autism.
Mark Haddon, who wrote the novel on which the play is based, said he was delighted by the special performances. "It's a brilliant idea. Who could possibly think anything else?" he said. "It is important to emphasise that this is about inclusivity, not targeting. These performances are for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, including people with an autistic spectrum condition, sensory or communication disorders, or a learning disability."Jeremy Newton, chief executive of the Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts, said the plan was to make such performances part of the mainstream: "We're hoping to start an attitudinal shift within theatres to a point in a year or two where the printed programme will say, 'Tuesday night, signed performance for the hard of hearing; Wednesday night, relaxed performance for families with children on the autistic spectrum'."Mark Haddon, who wrote the novel on which the play is based, said he was delighted by the special performances. "It's a brilliant idea. Who could possibly think anything else?" he said. "It is important to emphasise that this is about inclusivity, not targeting. These performances are for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, including people with an autistic spectrum condition, sensory or communication disorders, or a learning disability."Jeremy Newton, chief executive of the Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts, said the plan was to make such performances part of the mainstream: "We're hoping to start an attitudinal shift within theatres to a point in a year or two where the printed programme will say, 'Tuesday night, signed performance for the hard of hearing; Wednesday night, relaxed performance for families with children on the autistic spectrum'."
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