Audio description in a theatre is a live verbal commentary providing information on the visual elements of a production as it unfolds. It describes action that is essential to an understanding of the play’s story, as well as other visual information such as the style and design of a production, facial expressions, and visual jokes that a blind or visually impaired member of the audience might otherwise miss. The description is delivered in-between the dialogue of a performance and is picked up by the audience member wearing a special lightweight headset which is easy to use. A limited number of headsets are available and can be booked in advance with your tickets and collected from the box office on arrival.
Additional touch tours are also available on selected shows to help familiarise blind and visually impaired theatre -goers with characters, sets and costumes and provide extra detail to allow patrons to fully engage with the production . Touch tours usually last approximately 30 minutes and take place an hour before the show. Places are strictly limited and must be booked in advance.