Cinderella Visual Story
What is an Autism Friendly Performance? An Autism friendly performance is designed to make the theatre an accessible leisure opportunity for those with a variety of needs, along with their family and friends. An Autism friendly performance is a type of accessible performance adapted to the needs, and more specifically the sensory needs, of individuals visiting the theatre, with the aim to reduce anxiety and stress otherwise caused by the average theatre going experience, or to introduce an individual to the theatre for the first time. The environment is designed to be more relaxed, with sound levels throughout the theatre reduced and unnecessary noise non-existent throughout other areas of the theatre, the lighting in the auditorium will be left on at a higher level which will allow safe movement within the theatre during the show. Our stewards and Box Office staff have all had autism awareness sessions and understand that enjoyment of the show can be expressed in a variety of different ways, and those booking for Cinderella on Wednesday 19 December are aware of the relaxed nature of this performance. This Visual Story has been prepared to help you prepare for your visit to Castle Theatre and give you an overview of what to expect on the day.
I am going to see Cinderella Cinderella is a Christmas show. The people on stage are called actors. The actors will tell the story by talking, dancing, and singing. You, the audience, get to join in by clapping, shouting, booing, and singing along.
The show is being performed at the Castle Theatre. Castle Theatre is a big building, with a Bar, Studio Theatre and Main House Auditorium. Cinderella will be shown in the Main House Auditorium. Here is a picture of Castle Theatre from the outside.
When I arrive at the theatre, there may be lots of people waiting to get in. If I don t have my tickets, I need to collect them from the Box Office. There may be a queue, but it won t take long.
Whilst I wait for the auditorium to open, I may want to have a drink or a snack from the Bar.
I can access the auditorium from different levels, it depends where my seat is. My tickets will show me a Door Number, and this is where I need to go, to find my seat. Door 1 and Door 2 are on Ground Level Near the Bar. Door 3 and Door 4 are up the stairs, on level one. If the stairs are too difficult for me, I can use the lift.
There will be a person called a steward at the door I need to use to get to my seats. They will look at my ticket and show me to my seat. We will walk into the auditorium, where there will be lots of seats and other people waiting to see the show. There may be people sitting next to me that I do not know, but this is okay.
When it is time for the show to start, there will be an announcement on the loud speaker to say the show is about to begin. The theatre will then get a little darker, and everyone will get quieter. If I listen to the actors on the stage I will be able to hear more of the story. When the show starts I will hear music, if it is too loud I can cover my ears with my hands. There will also be bright lights. If it is too bright I can cover my eyes with my hands.
If I want to leave the auditorium at any time, there is a Relaxed Room (Breakout Room) I can go to. The relaxed room is through Door 3 on level one. If I am on the ground level, I can use the stairs or lift to access the Relaxed Room. If I am on level one, I can walk to door three. If I cannot find the Relaxed Room I can ask a steward for help.
I will see the actors on the stage. They will be dressed in strange and brightly coloured clothes. They will sing and dance around the stage and speak loudly. These are the different characters I will see... Cinderella Prince Charming The Ugly Step Sisters Fairy Godmother Buttons Dandini
People will probably laugh lots at the Ugly Stepsisters. The Ugly Stepsisters are boys dressed up as girls. They will wear lots of make up and big costumes. Paul Tate will be one of the Ugly Step Sisters Chris Ponka will be one of the Ugly Step Sisters
Halfway through the show there will be a break, this is called an interval. During the interval the lights will get brighter and people will leave the auditorium to get a drink, ice cream or go to the toilet. The interval lasts 20 minutes. Someone may ask me if I am enjoying the show, and what I think of the show. There will be an announcement over the loud speaker, to tell me how long is left in the interval, and when to go back in the auditorium.
When the interval has finished, everyone will go back to their seats and sit down again. It will get darker and quieter again, just like the beginning of the show. The actors will come back out and finish playing out the story.
When the story is finished, all of the actors will come out on stage and bow to us in the audience. This is called a curtain call. The audience will clap a lot so the actors know how much everyone liked the show. Some people will cheer and make loud noises to show they had a really good time. If it is too noisy I can cover my ears, or ask the person that came with me, to take me out of the auditorium.
Story: Cinderella is the story of a young girl whose two ugly step sisters come to visit. They all get invited to a royal ball by the prince, but will Cinderella get to the ball and live happily ever after with her prince charming? With your help, of course she can. Along the way you will meet Buttons, Cinderella s best friend, Cinderella s Fairy Godmother, The Prince and his loyal right hand man Dandini, the Ugly Stepsisters and, of course, Cinderella. So warm up your voices for booing, cheering, singing and screaming and have a fun filled evening full of fun and laughter. And look out for the real live white ponies on stage.
Helpful Tips: Free Car Park available at the rear of the Theatre Arrive early to have a look around and collect your tickets, go to the toilet and have time to settle into the theatre There will be a screen on balcony level, showing the performance, if you may need it Whilst you wait for the show to begin, if it gets too busy, the Relaxed Room (The Breakout Room) upstairs will be open The Relaxed Room will be available half an hour before the show starts and 15 minutes after the show ends. The performance will last approximately 2hours 20 minutes including an interval which will last 20 minutes Act one approximately 60 minutes Interval (Break): 20 Minutes Act Two: approximately 60 minutes