Panto season is one of the most joyous and magical times of the year and no one should feel excluded from enjoying the wonders of Pantomime. The Queen’s Theatre is offering a Relaxed performance and a Dementia Friendly performance at this year’s festive extravaganza, Jack and the Beanstalk. (This production plays until Sunday 6 January.)
These specially adapted performances welcomes people of all ages who will benefit from a relaxed, quieter and supportive environment including people with an Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders, a learning disability or Dementia.
The theatre welcomes those who may usually be prevented from visiting the theatre to attend these tailored performances. Relaxed performances provide a comfortable setting for audience members who might find it difficult to follow the usual conventions of theatre etiquette. By creating an informal environment it will enable patrons to just be themselves without the need for families or carers to worry about the effect it may have on others around them. It is assured that audience noise is permitted throughout the performance and individuals who may feel overwhelmed are free to leave to a ‘chill out’ area in the foyer and return when they feel ready at any point during the show. House lights will be kept on throughout the performances, extremely loud noises and flashing lights will be removed or reduced and additional staff will be on hand to provide extra assistance front of house.
The Relaxed Performance will take place on Wednesday 2 January at 5.30pm and the Dementia-Friendly Performance will take place on Thursday 3 January at 1.30pm. Tickets for these performances are £12.50. To book tickets, audiences can call the Box Office on 01708 443333, email boxoffice@queens-theatre.co.uk or stop by the Theatre in person to discuss any extra requirements.
Written by Andrew Pollard and directed by Martin Berry, Jack and the Beanstalk is peppered with pop hits from across the decades, bundles of audience participation and hilarious slapstick. For more information about the production, click here.