RSC FORTHCOMING BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE PERFORMANCE TAKES PLACE THIS MONTH
ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY CONTINUES ITS COMMITMENT TO SEMI-INTEGRATED BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE PERFORMANCES
- RSC semi-integrated British Sign Language performance summer flagship show A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation takes place this month
- New six minute British Sign Language synopsis video available
- Free interpreted talk after the show
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) family summer show, A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation, will be the Company’s next semi-integrated British Sign Language performance staged on 22 June in Stratford-upon-Avon.
The production will see the interpreter work alongside the actors on stage, in costume as part of the show. A Midsummer Night’s Dream:A Play for the Nation is the RSC’s flagship summer show and the Company’s third British Sign Language production. Visitors can also find out more about the production, its characters and plot before the show with a six minute special BSL video, and then stay behind for a free interpreted post-show talk on the play. The magical production, which is directed by RSC Deputy Artistic Director, Erica Whyman, returns to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to lead the Midsummer celebrations following its tour across the country.
Elizabeth Wainwright, RSC Head of Theatre Operations, said: “It is important to the RSC that we engage as many people as we can with our work. We are delighted that our next semi-integrated British Sign Language performance is of our magical flagship production – A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation which celebrates Shakespeare in the 400th anniversary year of his death and includes amateur performers in the role of the Mechanicals working alongside the professional company.
“We are also pleased to offer audience members the chance to learn more about the play, its characters and plot with our British Sign Language video before the show, followed by a special post show interpreted talk after.”
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation will also be the RSC’s seventh relaxed performance taking place on Thursday 14 July. The RSC was amongst the first to adopt relaxed performances in January 2013 and previous shows include The Mouse and His Child, The Christmas Truce and Matilda The Musical. Children and young people with autism, learning disabilities and sensory and communication disorders, or anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment is welcome.
Relaxed Performances are a fantastic way for families to experience live theatre together in an environment where the performance is adjusted to reduce anxiety or stress. For example, changes are made to sound and lighting to soften their impact. There is a relaxed attitude to noise and moving around the auditorium during the performance, and a designated ‘chill-out’ area for people to use if being in the auditorium becomes overwhelming. Theatre-goers also receive a visual story to help prepare them for the performance they are seeing.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
Press release issued 2 June 2016
For RSC media enquiries please contact RSC Press and Communications Officer Nurinder Mantell, nurinder.mantell@rsc.org.uk 01789 412657/ 07920 541729.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Erica Whyman
Royal Shakespeare Theatre: 15 June to 16 July 2016.
For press tickets contact dean.asker@rsc.org.uk 01789 412660
To book tickets call 01789 403493 or online at www.rsc.org.uk or visit www.rsc.org.uk/a-midsummer-nights-dream/about-the-play
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation is a co-production between the Royal Shakespeare Company and amateur theatre companies across the UK. This is an arrangement developed between the RSC and Equity.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: A Play for the Nation ran in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre from 17 February to 5 March 2016, and returns to Stratford-upon-Avon from 15 June to 16 July 2016, and is on tour until 4 June 2016. To book tickets contact Box Office on 01789 403493.
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