Milton Keynes Theatre are proud to continue to offer relaxed performance opportunities at the venue, and this year’s pantomime is no different.
Next Wednesday (January 10) at 1pm, the auditorium is open for a special relaxed viewing of Cinderella, starring Brian Conley and Gok Wan.
Relaxed? Yes, the show is as good, as funny and as entertaining as at any other performance but the atmosphere in the auditorium is less formal than at a regular performance. It’s the opposite of the ‘quiet carriage’ on the train – there’s a relaxed attitude to noise, movement and a few small changes to the sound levels and some lighting effects are made.
‘Relaxed Performances’ are specifically designed to welcome young people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, learning disability or sensory and communication disorder into theatres to give those who otherwise might feel excluded the chance to experience live theatre. They have a less formal atmosphere in order to reduce anxiety levels.
Live theatre is something special. It doesn’t matter how old or how young you are; it doesn’t matter how impressive the venue or how big the cast and it really doesn’t matter at all how many times you’ve been to the theatre before. If the show you’re watching takes you into another world and makes you forget about everything else, then you become part of a magical journey that’s like nothing else you will experience. Everybody should have that chance.
What are the main differences between a ‘Relaxed’ performance and a standard one?
o Ticket Prices are reduced using access rates (Cinderella is £19 per ticket for this performance).
o All bookers will be sent a ‘Visual Story’ to prepare them for their visit.
o Lighting and special effects will be changed slightly - for example removing strobes and flashing lights and reducing very loud noises. Lowering the volume for the whole show.
o Throughout the performance there will generally be a more relaxed attitude to noise and to the audience needing to leave and return to the auditorium.
o All cast, crew and staff are briefed to expect noise and additional audience movement so there is no undue concern over unexpected noises.
o During the show an area will usually be available as a quiet space to relax for those who need to leave and re-enter the auditorium during the show.
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