Accessible Performances at the Playhouse

During the quieter moments of a performance a describer tells you what ishappening; from actors' facial expressions to movements across the stage, but only what is essential for you to fully enjoy the show. A description of the setting, costumes and a full touch tour of the set are also normally made available before the performance starts.

Who might benefit from Audio Description?
Audio Description is a great way foranyonewho sometimes finds it difficult to see the details of a performance to still enjoy coming to the theatre. You don't have to be blind to make use of audio description.

You can access the Audio Description from anywhere in the auditorium using personal headphones that will be given to you when you arrive.

British Sign Language Interpreted 
What is a British Sign Language interpreted performance?
A Sign Language interpreter will stand in a place where the audience can see both the interpreter and the actors. They'll interpret the dialogue and important sounds throughout. 

Who might benefit from a British Sign Language interpreted performance?
Anyone who is a user or a learner of British Sign Language.

Captioned  Performances
What is a Captioned performance?
Captioning is similar to television subtitling and gives deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people access to live performances.

Captioning converts the spoken word into text, which is displayed on a caption unit, or units, situated on or next to the stage. As well as dialogue, the captions also include the name of the character who is speaking or singing and descriptions of any sound effects. 

From musicals to who-done-its there is a wide range of theatre made accessible through captioning.

Who might benefit from a Captioned performance?
Anyone who finds television subtitles useful at home could find that captioning enhances their theatre experience.

Captioning is a great way foranyone who sometimes finds it difficult to hear the actors speaking to still enjoy coming to the theatre.

It may be that an audience member hears most things but struggles with certain voices, accents or styles of speaking. Or you may need to see people's faces to be able to follow a conversation. Theatre captioning could help your enjoyment of live performance.

You can access captioning without the need for any additional aids but you should always check with the box office when booking your ticket that you have a seat with a good clear view of the caption unit.

Captioning can also benefit those people who are studying texts or looking to improve their English.

Relaxed Performances
We also provide Relaxed Performances, for young people with learning disabilities on our Christmas Courtyard show and working in conjunction with Hiccup Theatre to provide Relaxed Performances of their touring shows when they are at the Playhouse. 

Click here to read about Relaxed Performances in the Guardian's Culture Professionals network.

There are also occasional touring productions who have captioned, signed and audio described shows. These performances are listed on show pages.

Please visit the Access Leeds Theatre page hosted by West Yorkshire Playhouse which outlines all upcoming access performances in Leeds (including other venuesin Leeds) with booking and contact information.

Customers wishing to use any access services for performances at WYP should always let the box office know when booking their tickets. This means box office staff can help you pick the best seat.

Ticket Prices
Customers with a disability pay the lowest available price in Area B, regardless of where they sit. If you require a companion please request an additional FREE ticket when you book. We're sorry but these tickets are currently not available to book online so please contact the Box Office on 0113 213 7700, Minicom 0113 213 7299 or email access@wyp.org.uk. We welcome calls from textphone users, please dial 18001 then 0113 213 7700. Booking in advance is recommended and please remember to tell the Box Office if you require a wheelchair space, an aisle seat or if you want seats for an audio described, signed or captioned performance. This will allow the Box Office to allocate you the most appropriate seat for your needs.

For more information on access in theatre please visit:
www.sceneandsound.co.uk/

For more information on captioning please visit
www.stagetext.org 

For more information on audio description please visit:
www.vocaleyes.co.uk
www.see-a-voice.org.uk

For accessible theatre in London visit: 
http://www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk/access/

For accessible theatre in Scotland visit: 
http://www.scottishtheatres.com/accessguide.php