THE ROYAL Shakespeare Company is staging its second relaxed performance in Stratford of a full-length Shakespeare play.
The relaxed version of As You Like It will be performed in the RST on Thursday May 16 as a matinee. It follows a relaxed version, after A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2016.
Relaxed performances offer a more casual environment than the usual strict rules of the theatre and have special considerations taken into account about the staging of the production, from lighting to sounds, making them ideal for people living with autism, special needs, and other conditions.
Visitors to the theatre will also be provided with a detailed visual story ahead of time, providing guides to the theatre, production, and who they might see or interact with during their time there.
RSC deputy artistic director Erica Whyman said: “Relaxed performances are a vital part of our access work. As they ‘relax’ theatre’s usual rules, they are a perfect way of bringing in people who may find the usual theatre experience too stressful – whether in terms of lighting, noise, or not having the ability to move around.
“Theatre is for everyone, and we are proud of our commitment to make our productions accessible to people from all walks of life. We were among the first to pioneer relaxed performances, with our Christmas production The Mouse and his Child in 2013 being our first, and have held many more since, including one with the touring Matilda The Musical. They are a cornerstone of our growing body of access work, which also includes audio described, integrated BSL interpreted, captioned and chilled performances.”
Visit www.rsc.org.uk for further details.
