Mousetrap Theatre Projects will be showing a Relaxed Performance of The Gruffalo on Tuesday 4th August 2015 at 2pm, in assocation with Tall Stories and Kenny Wax Family Entertainment. Based on the award winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo Live follows the story of Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark wood…
We previously watched a Relaxed Performance of The Gruffalo Live in Birmingham and thought it was amazing. It really brought the book to life, but without being dull, too predictable but not too unfamiliar either.
Relaxed Performances are perfect for those with Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism and other learning, communication and sensory disorders. Not only do relaxed performances have adjustments made to sound and lighting, free resources to help you prepare for your visit and trained volunteers and staff at the event, but they are also keen to adapt the performance, as much as they can, to meet any additional needs. If you have any questions, suggestions or requirements that are not already catered for then let me know please. I can not only feed them on to the project manager, but other places who are trying to ensure a fully inclusive experience for all.
Unfortunately wheelchair space is very limited and restricted to one carer sitting with the user. There is no level access to the auditorium, nor is there a stair climber. There is the option to book a transfer seat if the individual is able to walk or be carried to the auditorium – again this needs to be arranged prior to the performance.
- Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue
- Tuesday 4thAugust
- 00pm
- For ages 3+
- Tickets from £12.50 – £2.50
Tickets are in 3 pricing bands
- Band 1:£12.50 (Adult) & £7.50 (Child) – These will be in the Stalls or Dress Circle
- Band 2: £7.50 (Adult) & £5 (Child) – These will be in the back or front 2 rows of the Stalls or Back of Dress Circle
- Band 3:£5 (Adult) & £2.50 (Child) – These will be in the Upper Circle
Booking Criteria
At least onemember of the group must be a young person with special needs (5 – 23)- HALF or MORE of the group must be young people aged 5 – 17, or 23 for young people with special needs. (Two parents are welcome to bring one child)
- Applications from families have to be referred by one of the Partner Organisations (The Sensory Seeker is one of those organisations so if you wish to go please get in touch with myself).
- Strictly one application per family, maximum 6 people per application
- If you wish to come as a group of families, please fill in one application per family and leave a note in the final section of the application form
- MTP relaxed performances are designed to accommodate families to attend the theatre together as a unit – if you are a school or organisation that would like to arrange a group visit then let me know and I will get in touch with the Project Manager).
- Tickets are allocated on a first come, first served basis and are subject to availability
This is a charity performance, funded and subsidised to provide access to the West End for young people with special needs and their families.
For children with Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism, Learning Difficulties & Communication needs, a Relaxed Performance can help to make things more inclusive. Most importantly everyone is understanding of the individual’s difficulties and support put in place. Adjustments are made to sound and lighting; free support resources are available to prepare for the visit beforehand and during the performance benefit from the relaxed (move about/make noises) and there is a supportive atmosphere (with trained volunteers on hand) in the theatre.
Based on Roald Dahl’s classic Mr and Mrs Twit are not a very nice couple. They not only do nasty stuff to each other but are VILE to everyone else. Not just restricted to people as they make a family of monkeys they are holding hostage stand on their heads. Can the monkeys find a way to show those vicious Twits what for?
Our experiences with The Sensory Seeker and Relaxed Performances have always been very positive. For myself the nicest thing is not feeling that The Sensory Seeker’s behaviours maybe disturbing anyone else’s viewing of the performance (as everyone who attends the performance is either in the same boat or has opted to attend that performance). For our son the important things are that he is able to get up and move about, make noises, clap his hands – without us trying to make him stop (or bribe him with too many sweets!). Other benefits have definitely been the support of making the experience familiar before it happens.
The Bristol Hippodrome
The production was Dick Whittington starring Ashleigh and Pudsey (from Britain’s Got Talent fame), Ben Faulks (aka Mr Bloom), Andy Ford (with a string of credits to his name and his 22nd Panto performance at The Bristol Hippodrome), Brenda Edwards (the last woman standing in the X-Factor finals 2005), Eric Potts (best known for being Diggory Compton in Coronation Street amongst many other amazing accomplishments), Lara Denning, Ben Goodridge and Hayley Jane Goold. The Sensory Seeker was invited along in order to review how the Relaxed Performance was handled.
First of all I cannot express enough how much of a great step in acceptance and inclusion it feels that the Bristol Hippodrome put on a relaxed performance. The Bristol Hippodrome has without a doubt some of the most amazing lights, sounds, costumes, scenery and performers: With the theatre itself is a beauty all on its own. Without any additional support, it was great just knowing that The Sensory Seeker could watch the performance in his own way (getting up, spinning, making noises, clapping his hands) without the judgement (well without the guilt of it disturbing others at least). The Bristol Hippodrome opened at 12:30 – leaving 90 minutes for familiarisation of the building. In this time we could go in the Chill-out room (especially put on for the relaxed performance), visit the toilets and purchase anything we needed from the shop.
The chill-out room had several different toys to help The Sensory Seeker. Things he could stretch, squeeze, different colours, shapes, textures – it even encouraged him to interact with other children in the room. The lighting in the room was low and soft and coloured lights were used. There were comfy sofas and bean bags with cushions for the children to sit on. Also in the room was a screen so that if they felt that they had to come out of the performance then they would not miss the show. I was also pleased to see that those in wheelchairs also had access to the performance,as they are quite a few stairs.
I believe that the levels of light were different for this performance, with mainly the stage being lit up and no lights going across where we were seated. That the overall content of the show was not changed but that sound levels were, that there was also the option to listen to an audio description commentary, and a visual story was available prior to the performance (containing detailed information/photos of the theatre and a Dick Whittington sensory synopsis – detailing all that will happen in terms of sound and light throughout the show). I cannot comment on any of this as we did not receive it. The Sensory Seeker has been to a few different productions now however and so was fine without this support.
Dick Whittington was everything I remember a Panto being as a child, and truly magical. It began the moment we stepped foot in the impressive theatre. It looked so grand and the children instantly wished we had balcony seats (I promised them maybe next time). In front of them was the glitteriest screen with Dick Whittington written on it – with so much detail and bling. There was humour on so many levels and it was great to see my 11 year old laughing at some of the more adult bits (such as guessing what Idle Jack would have said that rhymed with silly!) It was great family fun and none of the lines went too far. The costumes were amazing and in true Panto style The Dame (Sarah the Cook) had a fabulous wardrobe, including a fantastic underwear set!! The story itself flowed really well and it was a lovely twist on the classic.
The choreography was amazing and the dancing flawless. One thing that always amazing me is the young people, and in this case they are referred to as the Juveniles. I am not sure if we had the Red Team or the Blue Team but they did a superb job. The only reason I could tell that they were so young is from their heights, because their performances were just as good as the rest of the cast. Their parents must be so incredibly proud that their children held their own with such talent in The Bristol Hippodrome.
Of course as well as the amazing use of scenery, textures and lights the added magic to this performance was the inclusion of a very clever 3D underwater scene. This was a great addition to the show and something I have never seen in Panto before. A very modern twist and a great way to demonstrate the technology at The Bristol Hippodrome. All 3D glasses were provided and the children were thrilled that they could take them home.
However, it was really busy. There was no real room to move. and getting up to move out of our seats meant lots of other people having to move too. This was awkward enough in the interval never mind if an individual couldn’t cope during the performance. There was no introduction of the Cast before the performance – but I guess they did not have their faces covered like in 
