Audio Description

How to enjoy a visit to the theatre even if you are visually impaired.

From a young child’s first visit to a magical pantomime, the theatre holds a delight for so many of us. However, if you have limited sight you may feel that the theatre is not for you. Perhaps you cannot read the programme, see the colours of the costumes or maybe the stage is just a blur. If this is the case for you or someone you know, worry no more, because your enjoyment of a production at the Devonshire Park Theatre can still be as good as it is for a sighted person, by using our Audio Description Service.

Eastbourne Theatres produce an Audio Brochure and if you collect one of these from the Box Office or indeed phone the theatre (on 01323 412000) to get one sent to you, you will be able to hear what is on at the theatre . The Audio Brochure will also tell you about the description times.

These are Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons for all the professional shows that last for the duration of the week. All these shows are marked with the Audio Description logo.

A list of the productions coming up in the next few months when this service will be available is given below. If you are planning to bring a group of people to any of these Audio Described performances, it would be very helpful to have prior warning so that we can ensure that adequate resources are available. We can be contacted by clicking here.

Please try to be in your seats 15 minutes before the curtain rises to ensure that you are able to listen to the important pre-amble!

Audio Description performances dates & times

AUDIO DESCRIPTION SERVICE FOR VISION IMPAIRED PEOPLE (VIPs)

FRIENDS OF THE DEVONSHIRE PARK THEATRE

AUDIO DESCRIPTION SERVICE FOR VISION IMPAIRED PEOPLE(VIPs)

From a young child’s first visit to a magical pantomime, the theatre holds a delight for so many of us. However, if you have limited sight, you may feel that the theatre is not for you.

Perhaps you cannot read the programme, see the colours of the costumes, or may be the stage is just a blur. If this is the case for you or someone you know, worry no more, because your enjoyment of a production at the Devonshire Park Theatre can still be as good as it is for a sighted person, by using our Audio Description Service.

The Audio Description Team consist of volunteer Describers and Supporters.

The Describers relay the on-stage action and provide additional useful information transmitted to listeners via a headset.

Fifteen minutes before the curtain goes up the Describer will begin their live verbal description which will consist of a summary of what to expect as the production unfolds, descriptions of the sets, characters and costumes and sometimes vital information that the Describer will not be able to fit into the live commentary.

During the production the Describer will give their live verbal descriptionwhich will consist visual elements of a production as it unfolds, describing the action that is essential to the story and other visual information; the style and design of a production, facial expressions and visual jokes that a blind or partially sighted member of the audience may miss.

Warnings of loud noises or bangs e.g. gun fire, and flashing lights are given. Left and right for an audience facing the stage is always described as left and right.

During the performance, the Describer will try to cover anything that is not apparent from the dialogue, without talking over the actors. Wherever possible the stage dialogue will be allowed to speak for itself.

The plot is never revealed!

Supporters are present within the auditorium to ensure the VIP, and their sighted companion (if present) is comfortable and confident with the equipment. They meet the VIP in the foyer or stalls of the Devonshire Park Theatre and after making sure that the VIP is sitting comfortably, give them a receiver (lanyard) and headset and ensure that they know how it works.

All Supporters have attended a Vision Awareness Course certified by East Sussex Vision Support.

The receivers (lanyards) and sound boosts have recently been updated thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Devonshire Park Theatre at a cost of just under £14,000.

This service offers the VIP a unique opportunity to have an equal experience of the entertainment on offer, with inclusive theatre access supported by quality Audio Description to enhance their visit and enjoyment of the play.

The Audio Description Service is free to use.

The Audio Description Service is usually available for Friday evening and Saturday afternoon productions which have five or more performance days. A full list of performances at which the Audio Description Service is available can be found on the website of the Friends of the Devonshire Park Theatre. Go to www.fodpt.org.uk and use the Audio Description tab.

When the VIP arrives for the performance, they should ask for a member of the Audio Description Team who will assist them.

If a group booking is being made, it is helpful to know in advance so that the Audio Description Team can ensure there are sufficient headsets and Supporters present to help the VIPs get set up:

Contact: information@fodpt.org.uk

HOW TO BOOK:

Call the Box Office on 01323 412000 or visit the web site www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk.

When booking advise the Box Office that you are vision impaired and asyou wish to use the Audio Description Service could you have a seat towards the front of the stalls, which is the best reception point for the audio equipment.

A vision impaired person can join the Eastbourne Companion Scheme and the companion can then attend for free. For more details about the scheme contact the Box Office.

Assistance/working dogs are welcome and again tell the Box Office if they will attend with you.

ACCESSIBILITY IN AND AROUND THE DEVONSHIRE PARK THEATRE

There is a fully accessible entrance to the stalls on the right-hand side of the theatre building. The sloped roadway takes you to the accessible entrance.

Inside the theatre there are some steps down to access Rows A to E.

A Supporter will meet you in the theatre, show you to your seat and help you to use the headset and receiver.

There is easy access to the toilets at the rear of the Stalls.

For more information contact: chair@fodpt.org.uk or information@fodpt.org.uk

After Show Bar Receptions…

Members Notice

Listed below are the After Show Bar Receptions for the next season,

Tuesday 22nd April – Little Women

* Wednesday 30th April – The Business Of Murder

Tuesday 19th June – Strangers On A Train

Thursday 3rd July – Bedroom Farce

Thursday 17th July – Murder By Misadventure

Audio Description will be available for all performances, on Friday evenings & Saturday Matinee, * except.

If more information is required about joining the Friends go to:-

The web site, Contact, Membership Enquires

or email – membership@fodpt.org.uk

Audio Description press release…

THEATRE FOR ALL – A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR THOSE WHO ARE VISION IMPAIRED
FRIENDS OF THE DEVONSHIRE PARK THEATRE AUDIO DESCRIPTION SERVICE

The Devonshire Park Theatre is a space which provides a wonderful theatrical experience for everyone who enters, regardless of age or physical ability the theatre is a perfect chance to escape the everyday.

The hardworking Friends of the Devonshire Park Theatre Audio Description team offer a unique experience for those who are vision impaired, to maximise theatre enjoyment and to feel confident and safe in the venue. The friends have been tirelessly providing this service at professional week-long productions for over 30 years, since 1994.

Shows with audio described performances this season include; Alan Ayckbourn comedy drama Just Between Ourselves (11-15 March), family adventure Robin Hood (8 – 13 April), powerful drama Spitfire Girls (15 – 19 April) based on a true story and classic literary tale Little Women (22 – 26 April). The audio description service is usually available for Friday evening and Saturday afternoon performances of productions which have 5 or more performance days.

The dedicated Audio Describers cater for those audience members who find themselves at a visual disadvantage to other theatre goers so they can still enjoy a fully rounded theatrical experience without missing a single thing. The team provide live verbal commentary detailing the visual elements of a production as it unfolds, describing action that is essential to the story and other visual information; style and design of a production, facial expressions and visual jokes that a blind or partially sighted member of the audience might miss, as well as warnings of loud noises. All done without talking over the actors or critically, without revealing the plot!

The audio description team consist of volunteer Describers who relay the on-stage action and provide additional useful information transmitted to listeners via headsets; and Supporters who are present within the auditorium to ensure the users of the audio description headsets are comfortable and confident with the technology.

Describers receive considerable in-house training from an RNIB trained describer. It is a huge undertaking to describe a performance; the Describer will have watched the show at least three times before they perform live at the Friday evening and Saturday matinee.

The Devonshire Park Theatre is constrained by its heritage to some extent, but this is always being assessed with options to improve the space currently in planning stages. Disabled access to the stalls is available and in addition the theatre offers a range of facilities including; Infrared and Loop Hearing System for those in the audience who need a bit more amplification, disabled parking bays directly outside the theatre and a ramp to the theatre foyer. Orientation tours are available, guide dogs are welcomed and in addition to audio described performances, theatre brochures are also available in audio format from the box office (01323 412000).

To find out more about The Friends of the Devonshire Park Theatre, or about audio description services see www.fodpt.org.uk and www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk. ENDS

Using the Audio Description Service is easy. When you arrive at the theatre a member of the Audio Description Support Team will be in the foyer to welcome you. It is good to arrive at the theatre about 20 minutes before the show begins so we can settle you in your seat. You will be given a headset to wear. These are very easy to use and we will ensure that the settings are correct before the description begins.

Usually about ten minutes before the performance begins, the describer – who is sitting in a box at the back of the dress circle – will begin by describing the set for you. They will then describe the characters in the play and anything in the programme that might be of interest to you. During the performance they will tell you anything that is not explained by the actor’s dialogue.

We have received many positive comments about the Devonshire Park’s Audio Description Service, so please give it a try. We are sure that it will enhance your theatre-going experience and guide dogs are very welcome.