AUDIO DESCRIBED PERFORMANCES

We offer audio description and touch tours for a variety of shows throughout the year.

Audio Description is a description of the action that is taking placing on stage which is transmitted using one of our Sennheiser assistive hearing systems and is generally used by our customers who have a visual impairment. The description is live and takes place in the gaps in the speech and not while the cast are speaking.

A 15 minute introduction also takes place before the performance, describing the cast and character relationships and offering details about costume, set and any visual effects.

We have a range of headsets available for audio description so you can find one that is comfortable for you. The audio headsets work wherever you choose to sit in our auditorium, however please be aware that we hold ‘Best Available’ seats for those customers on our Access Register who require Audio Description or wish to use this service. These seats are nearer to the stage and are available in order to give our visually impaired customers the best possible experience.

For Access Register members, these seats are available to book online using your access account. When booking tickets via Box Office staff, please let them know you will be utilising this service to ensure they seat you appropriately.

Prior to Audio described performances, we offer a free Touch Tour.

This is a guided tour led by our audio describer that will allow you to experience the stage and set up close while exploring and touching set pieces, props and costumes. Touch tours are generally scheduled an hour before the performance begins dependent on the type of show and are offered to customers using audio description and their companions.

Please book on to the touch tour when booking your tickets as spaces are limited. If you have any mobility issues please make us aware prior to the performance.

The Grand Theatre has a Sennhieser assistive hearing system in place that runs via radio frequency. The system is often used by our visually impaired patrons during our Audio Described performances, however those who are hard of hearing may benefit from having the audio from the production’s sound desk played through an individual device, amplifying what they are able to hear in the auditorium.

The system has two types of devices patrons can choose from:

• The stethoscope headset, generally used by those patrons who do not use a hearing aid.
• A necklace unit, used by those with a hearing aid that has a T setting.*

Both units give the user the opportunity to increase the volume of the show audio on an individual basis.

Patrons are able to sit in any seat in the auditorium and still utilise this service.

*Our necklace units function when a hearing aid is set to a T setting. Some hearing aids require the user to switch the hearing aid to this setting whereas many digital hearing aids now automatically make this adjustment without the user having to switch settings. 

MobileConnect is a free app from Sennheiser that can be downloaded to an individual user’s smart device. It streams audio content via Wi-Fi live and in great quality. It is fully compatible with IOS and Android accessibility modes where visual impairment support is required.

For further information and operational instructions on both of our systems, please click here.

*PLEASE NOTE*

Both of our systems will help to increase volume of show audio for patrons but please be aware that sound levels may vary dependant on the show. Should the performers on a particular show not wear individual microphones their voices are instead captured using one atmospheric microphone above the stage. This means the sound through the headsets will not be as loud as if the actors were wearing individual microphones.

If you have any queries regarding these services you can email access@grandtheatre.co.uk or call 01902 57 33 20 to talk through your needs.