If you are visually impaired, Neptune Theatre in Halifax has a service to enhance your theatre watching experience.
The timeless classic Wizard of Oz is currently playing and is one of the few shows of the season that offers audio description.
According to Charisse Lebrun, the director of education and outreach, the service has been very well received by those using it.
“The people who are coming to these shows, they love them. Once they come to one, they tend to buy the package and are here for all of them,” says Lebrun.
How it started…
Neptune has had audio service for years.
Lebrun says it started after audience members requested it.
“It’s often people who love theatre, who want to come and engage with it, but can’t in the way that they are used to. Or in the way that we are currently making it,” adds Lebrun.
So, the director of education got the right experts involved.
“There’s been a team of people who have lived experience of being blind or partially sighted and working in theatre or enjoying theatre,” says Lebrun.
“Then [there have been] some accessibility consultants whose job it is to kind of be experts in how to create this work in a way that’s robust and still highly artistic.”
What is involved
It’s a lot of work getting prepared to provide audio description.
Lebrun says it involves an audio describe consultant, audio describer and the stage manager who watch the show in advance several times to make sure they get it just right.
Before the show, the actors will also describe themselves and their costumes as part of the package that is sent out beforehand.
Then while watching the performance, those participating, wear earpieces.
Choosing the shows
Only certain shows at Neptune Theatre provide audio description.
The company decides which ones to pick by polling those who will attend.
Right now, Lebrun says, that only includes about 20 people but would like to spread the word to expand to more.
“Once our season is in place, we send out all the show information and we get some feedback on what they would be interested in,” explains Lebrun.
To learn more you can head to Neptune’s website.
