Relaxed Performance – Sensory Guide
Wednesday 16 October at 2:15pm
Linbury Studio Theatre, LAMDA
Running Time: 95 minutes (no interval)
Content warnings: Contains intimacy, sex, gun violence, strong language, references to war and terrorism, death, references to mental health, and exploitation.
Relaxed Performances at LAMDA
• You are welcome to come and go from the theatre as you need
• There is a break-out room available, the student common room
• House lighting is on low throughout, never going to full black-out
• Loud noises are reduced in sound level
• No strobe lighting is used
• You are welcome to react to the show however you may need
• At the end of this document is a show synopsis/sensory guide
Here is a guide to sensory information symbols in this document:
Indicates potentially loud or sudden noises
Indicates bright or sudden lighting changes
Indicates a sad or potentially distressing scene
Indicates fighting, or use of guns/weapons
Arriving at LAMDA
When you arrive at LAMDA, the entrance to the building and Linbury Theatre is the closest entrance to Baron’s Court Station. There will be a member of staff on the door who will take your name and give you a ticket.
This is the Theatre Foyer and entrance to the Linbury Theatre. You may be asked to wait here until the house is open. You will be shown how to get to the Linbury Studio Theatre by an usher.
Toilets are located right next to the bar.
LAMDA staff will be wearing LAMDA branded T-Shirts or lanyards. If you need any assistance whilst in the building, please ask them.
When you enter the theatre, an Usher will take your ticket from you. You are welcome to sit where you like. You can come and go from the space whenever you like. The house lights will stay on low throughout the show.
There is a break-out space called ‘The Common Room’ which you are welcome to use at any point during the performance.
The Common Room is accessed via a corridor that follows on from the bar and the toilets. If you aren’t sure at any point during your visit where to go, please ask an usher, who will be happy to assist you.
If you aren’t sure at any point during your visit where to go, please ask an usher.
Before the show begins, the actors will introduce themselves and the characters they are playing.
The lights in the theatre will dim and she show will start. You can come and go as you need through the doors you entered by.
At the end of the show the actors will come on and bow. You are welcome to clap at this point if you would like.
Our House Company Headshots
WES
Christian Arrubula
STU Darcy Bengt
VINCE Cameron Forrest
ALICE Ada Grey
MERV J Howe
GRIGSBY
Rebecca Matundu Iloko
JENNIFER
Selena Thompson
Below is a synopsis of the play to aid in contexualising the following sensory guide.
Are news and entertainment interchangeable? A cocksure TV bigshot faced with dwindling ratings installs America's favorite news anchor as host of a popular reality show. Meanwhile, in Middle America, a houseful of roommates bickers over high-stakes real-world conflicts: Merv doesn't clean the bathroom. Someone ate Alice's yogurt. And the rent is long past due. When reality collides with reality TV, we find ourselves front and center in a drama that holds the nation riveted. Our House is a deliciously scathing new comedy that takes on a media-obsessed culture intent on turning even the most sobering crisis into sexy entertainment A darkly comic look at America's obsession with "reality" television.
Below is a sensory guide for the performance that shows potential distressing actions in the play, split up by scenes
Any fighting scenes in the play have been choreographed with a fight director so that the actors do not hurt each other. There is strong language throughout the play.
Pre Show
The audience walk in music is loud as the actors are already getting onto the stage. Scene change music goes into the flickering light of the TV screen, illuminating Merv.
ACT 1
There is strong language from the start. The light changes and there are loud TV noises.
Merv shouts loudly at TV
There is an argument between Alice and Merv where Alice threatens to hurt Merv.
Wes’ hand slams on the table creating a loud noise.
Wes starts shouting whilst on the phone. Wes and Jennifer start having sexual intercourse. Wes undresses her.
Merv references bulimia and uses offensive language with strong misogynistic views.
Merv is loud and aggressive when speaking to Alice.
Loud music plays as Jennifer presents. Wes and Stu objectify Jennifer. Stu shouts at Wes.
Alice raises her voice to Merv.
Merv pulls out a gun from inside his hoodie and shoots his gun twice. There are two loud gunshots. Alice and Grigsby are shot in the shoulder and fall onto the floor. They stay on the floor in pain bleeding out. This is fake blood.
ACT 2 (no interval)
Jennifer uses strong language. Jennifer raises her voice in crisis.
Merv waves his gun around Alice coughs continuously. It seems like she is dying
Merv is shouting loud whilst pointing his gun at Vince.
Merv mentions suicide.
Jennifer suddenly shoots Merv. This action creates a loud banging gunshot noise. Merv bleeds out of his chest.
Grigsby informs the others that Alice has bled to death from Merv shooting her.
End of play
A drum beat plays alongside loud music as the lights fade down.