Relaxed Performance Announcement Script template
Contents
Contents
INTRODUCTION
This script can be adapted for different audiences and performances.
Notes from AD
This is a vital part of the performance. Do not feel the need to rush, and make sure you feel comfortable with the wording, changing any phrasing so that it feels natural and easy for you and the audience to understand. It must happen onstage so that everyone knows the premise of a Relaxed Performance to create a safe environment for access patrons. The Relaxed Performance is a critical part of our creative performances, not something that is happening to a show, but something that is baked into it’s DNA.
Words written in italics are notes, not part of the script. Words written in [brackets] should be deleted and replaced with words relevant to you/your show.
Script
Good evening everybody, my name is [Roger] and I am an actor in this evening’s performance of [Show name].
If BSL show – introduce any specific signs.
Before we begin I have a quick announcement. As you may already know, today’s show, and every Zoo Co show, is a Relaxed Performance. If you’re not sure what that means, don’t worry. I’m here to explain.
First things first – the show stays exactly the same – it’s not that the actors are super relaxed! It’s you guys. Relaxed Performances simply mean that the usual, very strict and uptight rules of being in a British theatre audience are relaxed.
That means that if you need to stand up, sit down, move around, make some noise, respond however is natural for you, do some knitting, leave and come back that is totally fine.The show will carry on as normal, and you won’t be picked on.
We invite you to really embrace the Relaxed setting, and relieve yourselves of the burden of shhing fellow audience members, just for one evening. We think Relaxed Performances can feel more electric! If we wanted you to be silent, we’d have made a film instead.
We do this because we think theatre should be as accessible as possible, to as many people as possible, and that it’s better when everyone is invited.
If your show includes aspects that wouldn’t usually appear in Relaxed Performances, mention them now.For example, if your show has loud noises to suit deaf audiences/actors you could add the following
[However, this show is slightly different from a normalRelaxed Performance. The music and sound effects will still be a bit louder than normal. This is so that our deaf cast member/s and audience members can feel the vibrations of the soundtrack and access the performance in that way, too. If you need some ear defenders, please do go and get them from Front of House staff at any time.]
Every Zoo Co performance is Relaxed As Standard no matter what, so next time you come and see one of our shows, feel free to bring your grumpy family member who mutters all the way through the performance, a kid who asks a thousand questions in the quiet moments, or anybody you know who might feel more comfortable in this environment. That’s enough from me – I really hope you enjoy this evening’s performance of [show name].
Resources
Below, you will find other resources to support you in making your event/venue more accessible for learning disabled people. These include examples of:
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Visual Stories Example
This can help physically disabled people to plan; their visit to your event, accessible entrances and exits into your venue, how they can interact with activities taking place, and what facilities are available to them. These documents can include information on transport links, start, interval and finishing times, ticket purchasing and validating on arrival, venue facilities, venue auditoriums and breakout spaces, and artists and staff members that the viewer may expect to meet on their visit. You can offer these as documents with pictures in (as seen here) and/or as a video version (that shows a recording of the journey from various transport links to your event destination, details of your venue layout, entrance/exit routes and its facilities, and your staff members/artists).
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Lateness Policy
This is a policy created to recognise that lateness can be a result of the ways in which ableist society disadvantages the deaf, disabled and neurodiverse community. With this in mind, this policy can be put in place at your workplace to ensure your workplace is less ableist. This includes applying a ‘latecomers welcome at all times’ attitude to your event.
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Access Icons Guide
These can be used when marketing your event. These icons aim to make accessible performances/venues easily recognisable to those who require it. Events happening across London Borough of Culture – This is Croydon should be using these icons whenever they have one of the access provisions listed provided at/for their event.
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Models of Disability
These descriptions of the different models of disability can help inform (or refresh) an understanding of disability terminology and approaches.
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Role breakdown of an access Coordinator
This page is an example of the different roles that an Access Coordinator working in a theatre company could cover. These roles should regularly be assessed and updated to consider new learning, understanding and awareness.