Access Brochure Winter 22/23

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2022/23
Performances birminghamhippodrome.com/access
Accessible
T RP

Welcome

At present, I have the pleasure and privilege of chairing the Birmingham Hippodrome Access Forum, and on behalf of everyone at the theatre, we hope you find this latest brochure both interesting and helpful. Please do take advantage of an accessible performance on offer to enhance your enjoyment of a visit to the theatre.

There is a genuine commitment on the part of everyone working at the Hippodrome to ensure that each and every patron gets the most out of their experience. Whether that’s an audio described, captioned, BSL Interpreted or Relaxed Performance – we really want you, or a friend or relative, to have a more fulfilling experience.

If you have direct experience of our accessible performances, you may be interested in joining our Access Forum, which meets quarterly. If you are interested in finding out more about the important work of this group, or just have some feedback for us on your experience, please get in touch by emailing us at hippodromeaccess@birminghamhippodrome.com

We look forward to welcoming you to future accessible performances.

Front Cover: My Fair Lady, The Commitments, Swan Lake and Tales from Acorn Wood

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Vidar Hjardeng, MBE. Chair of Birmingham Hippodrome Access Forum

Accessible Performances

Audio Described Performances

Listen to a live description of the visual elements of a production with a discreet headset.

We have a limited number of headsets so please reserve yours when booking tickets to ensure you get one on the day.

TTouch Tours

For audio described performances, we usually offer a Touch Tour before the show. Familiarise yourself with the set, props and costumes beforehand.

Depending on the production, we can’t always guarantee stage access. Times for Touch Tours are confirmed 2-3 weeks in advance and must be booked before the day.

BSL Interpreted Performances

An interpreter communicates the script and sounds of the show using gestures, facial expression and body language.

Productions are interpreted in British Sign Language (BSL), the most common form of sign language used in the UK. We will always try and make sure you are seated near the signer on stage.

Captioned Performances

Similar to television subtitling, watch the script unfold on a display board at the same time as lines are sung and spoken.

We will allocate you seats suitable for seeing the captions.

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RPRelaxed Performances

Our Relaxed Performances are open to all, but created for people with specific needs who may find the theatre challenging.

This includes people on the Autism spectrum, with a learning disability or with sensory and communication needs.

We encourage and create an atmosphere where everyone feels safe and able to react to a show as they wish. We sell fewer seats, which means more room for wheelchairs and more space and comfort.

Auditorium doors remain open throughout the performance to enable attendees freedom of movement. Certain aspects of staging are also adapted to suit the audience. The script may be simpler, bright lights and loud noises reduced, and house lights raised so the auditorium is not completely dark.

We also have calm spaces on every foyer level for our Main House Relaxed performances and use our conference spaces for our Patrick Studio Relaxed Performances.

A visual story board is provided in the pre-visit email and also available on site to those wanting further assistance with the narrative.

For further information, please contact hippodromeaccess@birminghamhippodrome.com

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Relaxed Performances are usually available to book online. If this isn’t possible, please book by phone on 0121 689 1060 or at our counter and we can make sure you or friend/family member gets the best seats in the house for your needs.

Accessible Facilities

Access Assistance Point

This area, which is located inside the entrance near the main doors, is staffed by a dedicated and specially trained Visitor Service Assistant. They welcome our guests and can provide any advice or assistance required. There are scribble pads for staff to communicate with customers if required. There are also resources and equipment available to borrow from this desk such as Hearing Assistance Headsets, Audio Description Headsets (available for AD Performances only), noise cancelling headphones, fidget toys, light reducing glasses, and pre-booked wheelchairs. They can also issue one of our Access Lanyards which highlights to staff that the customer has additional access needs for which they may need assistance during their visit.

Assistance Dogs

Assistance dogs are very welcome in all areas of the theatre, including inside the auditorium. If you prefer, our staff can also look after them during performances. Please book your dog in with Ticket Sales in advance of your visit. Our team will also try and make sure you are assigned the most appropriate seat, for instance next to an exit.

Hearing Assisted Facilities

If you’d like a receiver for our infrared amplification system, just ask at our Access Assistance Point.

It’s always best to book accessible performances by phoning our Access line on 0121 689 1060 or sending an email to hippodromeaccess@birminghamhippodrome.com

That way we can make sure you or your friend/family member gets the best seats in the house for your needs.

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Wheelchair and Mobility Facilities

The closest and most accessible car park for wheelchair users and patrons with impaired mobility is the Arcadian Centre Car Park which has specially allocated bays with easy access to street level and is only about 150 yards to our entrance. Another nearby car park is the Gallan Car Park which is directly opposite our Thorp Street entrance and provides easy access to the theatre. Please note, they both can become very busy and full at times. Limited on-street disabled parking is also available on Hurst Street and Thorp Street. We recommend dropping off at Inge Street.

New Street and Moor Street stations are 10 and 15 minutes away.

Automatic doors and lifts are available for wheelchair users and we have wheelchair positions both in our main auditorium and Patrick Studio. Please book these spaces in advance. Transfer seats can be booked online when selecting seats or via the access line 0121 689 1060. It is is a specially designed chair that allows audiences who use wheelchairs or mobility scooters to transfer from the wheelchair or mobility scooter to the theatre seat, and vice versa.

We have accessible unisex and ambulant disabled toilets on all levels, plus low-level counter service.

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£We offer concessions for people with access requirements. These vary from show to show. It’s always best to contact our Access line 0121 689 1060 or email hippodromeaccess@birminghamhippodrome.com when booking accessible performances to make sure we can get you or your friend/family member the best seats and prices. Discounts and Concessions

Accessible Performances

Dick Whittington

BSL Interpreted Performance

Sun 8 Jan, 1pm & 5.15pm

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Touch Tour

Wed 11 Jan & Sat 14 Jan, tbc

Audio Described Performance

Wed 11 Jan, 2pm &

Sat 14 Jan, 2.30 pm

Captioned Performance

Sun 15 Jan, 1pm & 5.15pm

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Relaxed Performance

Wed 25 Jan, 12noon

Motionhouse: Starchitects

SIX

BSL Interpreted Performance

Wed 1 Mar, 8.30 pm & Sun 25 Jun, 2pm

Captioned Performance

Thu 2 Mar, 8pm & Sun 25 Jun, 2pm

Touch Tour

Sat 4 Mar, tbc & Sat 24 Jun, tbc

Audio Described Performance Sat 4 Mar, 4pm & Sat 24 Jun, 4pm

My Fair Lady

Touch Tour

Sat 11 Mar, tbc

Relaxed Performance

Fri 3 Feb, 1pm

Matthew Bourne’s

Sleeping Beauty

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Touch Tour

Sat 11 Feb, 1pm

Audio Described Performance

Sat 11 Feb, 2.30 pm

Birmingham Royal Ballet -

Swan Lake

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Touch Tour

Sat 18 Feb, 12.15pm

Audio Described Performance

Sat 18 Feb, 2.30 pm

Audio Described Performance Sat 11 Mar, 2pm

BSL Interpreted Performance

Wed 15 Mar, 7pm

Captioned Performance Thu 16 Mar, 7pm

The SpongeBob Musical

BSL Interpreted Performance

Wed 12 Apr, 7pm

Captioned Performance

Thu 13 Apr, 7pm

Touch Tour Sat 15 Apr, tbc

Audio Described Performance Sat 15 Apr, 2pm

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T T T

Titanic The Musical

BSL

Interpreted Performance

Wed 19 Apr, 7.30 pm

Captioned Performance

Thu 20 Apr, 7.30 pm

T T TTouch Tour

Sat 22 Apr, tbc

Audio Described Performance

Sat 22 Apr, 2.30 pm

The Commitments

BSL Interpreted Performance

Wed 26 Apr, 7.30 pm

Captioned Performance

Thu 27 Apr, 7.30 pm

Touch Tour

Sat 29 Apr, tbc

Audio Described Performance

Sat 29 Apr, 2.30 pm .............................................................................................................................

Welsh National Opera -

The Magic Flute

Touch Tour

Fri 5 May, 5.45pm

Audio Described Performance

Fri 5 May, 7.15pm

Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders

BSL Interpreted Performance

Thu 25 May, 7.30 pm

Captioned Performance

Sat 27 May, 2.30 pm

Touch Tour

Sat 27 May, tbc

Audio Described Performance

Sat 27 May, 2.30 pm

Birmingham Royal BalletApollo I Interlinked

I ‘Still

Life’ at the Penguin Café

Touch Tour

Sat 10 Jun, 12.15pm

Audio Described Performance

Sat 10 Jun, 2.30 pm

Winnie the Pooh

Relaxed Performance

Fri 16 Jun, 10.30 am

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Disney’s The Lion King

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T T R T

Relaxed Performance

Tue 18 Jul, 1.30 pm

Captioned Performance

Thu 20 Jul, 7.30 pm & Thu 7 Sep, 7.30 pm

BSL Interpreted Performance

Wed 26 Jul, 7.30 pm & Wed 6 Sep, 7.30 pm

Touch Tour

Wed 16 Aug & Sun 10 Sep, tbc

Audio Described Performance

Wed 16 Aug, 2pm & Sun 10 Sep, 2.30 pm

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Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

BSL Interpreted Performance

Wed 11 Oct, 7.30 pm

Captioned Performance

Thu 12 Oct, 7.30 pm

TTouch Tour Sat 14 Oct, tbc

Audio Described Performance

Sat 14 Oct, 2.30 pm

Birmingham Bodenham Trust, Darwin Escapes, The Eveson Charitable Trust, The Grimmitt Trust and generous individual donors.

Volunteers

Thank you to our individual and corporate volunteers from Darwin Escapes, Eversheds Sutherland, Gately plc, Glenn Howells Architects, Gowling WLG, HSBC, Lockton, Savills, Voice Fostering at our Relaxed Performances.

A short online training session is provided in advance of the performance

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Captioned Performance

Thu 19 Oct, 7pm

T TBSL Interpreted Performance Wed 25 Oct, 7pm Touch Tour Sat 28 Oct, tbc

Audio Described Performance Sat 28 Oct, 2pm .............................................................................................................................

Life of Pi

BSL Interpreted Performance

Wed 14 Feb, 7.30 pm

Captioned Performance Thu 15 Feb, 7.30 pm

Touch Tour Sat 17 Feb, tbc

Audio Described Performance Sat 17 Feb, 2.30 pm

On the day, volunteers support our Visitor Services team, helping to provide a world-class welcome to our audiences with additional or complex needs, their families and carers. Together we can create a day that they (and you) won’t forget.

Support Us

If you would like to make gift or a donation that offers audiences with additional or complex needs the chance to experience world-class live performance, please call Adele on 0121 689 3072, we’d love to hear from you.

Contact

If you’d like to find out more about how you can play a part in supporting our accessible performances or volunteering at our relaxed performances please send an email to fundraising@birminghamhippodrome.com

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We are grateful to our generous supporters who help to make these programmes possible.
thank you
Access line 0121 689 1060 Email hippodromeaccess@birminghamhippodrome.com birminghamhippodrome.com/access *Calls cost 4 5p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust Ltd, Hurst Street, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB Registered Charity Number 510842

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