Blind audience members

Mon, 27 July 2009, 07:59 am

‘What’s On?’ is the magazine for the Association for the Blind of WA, it lists the shows in the area which have an audio description service. A description of the set, and what is happening on the stage, is fed to the partially sighted or blind audience member by a special headpiece.
If your theatre has such a system, then contact the Association on 9311-8202 for a free plug for your shows. The productions for the Playhouse and His Maj are listed this month.

Thread (4 posts)

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Gordon the OptomMon, 27 July 2009, 07:59 am

crgwllmsMon, 27 July 2009, 02:14 pm

Barking Gecko special events for sight-impaired

I believe the Subiaco Arts Centre now has this technology, and will soon be able to provide a similar service. (It takes a bit of training to deliver a clear, impartial description of a performance, giving enough information but not distracting from the play experience itself.) Barking Gecko Theatre has provided special 'touch tours' for several of its shows since 2007, in association with the Association. Sight-impaired patrons are invited early into the theatre, to orient themselves. We introduce the cast to them, allowing them to recognise that one actor may play several characters with different voices. We'll give enough of a synopsis that the story will be clear even if there are actions going on onstage with no dialogue. (For instance, we might play a certain music cue and tell them that when this cue is played in the show, you'll know a certain character is sneaking around in the background; or if people are laughing at something being said, it's because the character is actually doing the opposite...etc). Elements of costumes, props and puppets are described, and where possible handed to the patrons so they can 'feel what they look like'. Sometimes this involves guiding them onstage to get an idea of certain set and furniture. We'll answer questions both before and after the show if necessary, to allow the patrons as thorough an understanding as possible. These days have been received extremely well, and have allowed lots of sight-impaired children and adults to enjoy an experience with their families that they might have otherwise missed out on. Contact Barking Gecko for information on any future such events. Cheers, Craig ~<8>-/====\---------

Tim ProsserMon, 27 July 2009, 04:56 pm

Audio Description performances.

I received my 'What's On?' in the mail a few days ago and was very pleased to see this new service announced. Quoting from the magazine, 'Audio Description is available for the following performances:

Much Ado About Nothing, presented by Black Swan State Theatre Company, Playhouse Theatre, Saturday 29th August, 2.15pm.

Equus, presented by Perth Theatre Company and His Majesty's Theatre, His Majesty's Theatre, Saturday 26th September, 2.00pm.

The Web, presented by Black Swan State Theatre Company, Playhouse Theatre, Saturday 3rd October, 2.15pm.

The Sapphires, presented by Black Swan State Theatre Company, Playhouse Theatre, Saturday 31st October, 2.15pm.

Tickets for audio described performances are available one week in advance through BOCS Ticketing on 9494 1133. The service must be requested at the time of booking. Patrons are requested to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the performance in order to collect their equipment and be comfortably seated before the audio description commences 10 minutes before the start.'

There will also be two 'information sessions' for those interested in this and other 'audio description' services at 10.00am - 1.00pm and 5.30pm - 8.00pm at the Association For The Blind, 61 Kitchener Avenue, Victoria Park on Tuesday 4th August. If you or anyone you know would like to go along to either of these, then you'd better be quick to call 9311 8218 before Wednesday 29th July and ask to speak with Val.

Those in the vicinity of Bunbury may also attend one of these sessions on Monday 3rd August from 12 noon - 3.00pm in the Conference Room at Milligan house, 35 Milligan Street. I presume that Val is the contact for this session also. In addition to the telephone number given above, there is an email address, which is: valerief@guidedogswa.com.au, and a web site for further information at www.audiodescription.com.au.

I hope all of that is of some use to someone!

Per Ardua Ad Astra

Walter PlingeSat, 1 Aug 2009, 12:50 pm

Audio Description Service

I have attended several Audio Described performances. I have done a Touch Tour with the Barking Geko Theatre Company and also three Audio Described Theatre performances by the Perth Theatre Trust all of which make the whole Theatre experience much more inclusive. The Audio Describers were trained by Vision Australia and are volunteers and do a wonderful job. I can recommend to anyone who is blind or vision impaired that using this service will make going to the theatre more enjoyable, than having a person sitting next to you try and whisper into your ear during the show. I would also like the thank the volunteers how do this serivce as they are wonderful. Anyone who is a Companion Card holder can get concession tickets to these shows as well. I am looking forward to some of the upcoming performances. For further information or interviews regarding the Audio Descriptor service please contact Alice Jorgensen, on 08 9380 3000 or ajorgensen@sac.aegogdenperth.com.au Bye for now.....Erika Saturday 1 August 2009.

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