An amateur actress from Wymondham is on a mission to make grassroots drama more accessible for everyone.
Georgette Vale, who has spent many years performing with the Wymondham Players, has been campaigning for local theatre groups to offer audio description to their audiences.
“A lot of people have given up going to the theatre, because they can’t see,” says Ms Vale, whose work involves supporting those with sensory impairments.
Audio description is often offered in mainstream theatres, but the service has been almost non-existent in amateur performances - until now.
However, a major recent reduction in the cost of the necessary equipment now means that audio description is finally feasible for smaller groups.
Ms Vale said: “What cost £1200 a couple of years ago now costs £300. So, it is well within the reach of lots of drama groups.”
£300 is enough to ensure that ten people can listen to audio description.
The Wymondham Players have now invested in the equipment, opting for a so-called ‘tour guide system’. The society believes it is the first local drama group in the country to offer the service.
It will also begin offering printed scripts for audience members with deafness and hearing loss.
Other local theatre groups have been inspired by the changes, and The Harleston Players borrowed audio description facilities from their Wymondham counterparts for their recent production of Dad's Army.
Audio description in action
“A lot of events, for a blind person, are really not worth going to if you don’t understand what’s going on,” said Roy Goodwin, who has been part of the Harleston Players for fifty years.
"Being blind is a very isolating situation, sometimes. It stops a lot of people going to things that the rest of us wouldn’t think twice about.”
Mr Goodwin's friend Tracy Reeve, who is blind, helped him to prepare the best possible audio description for Dad's Army.
Catherine Clarke, who has has glaucoma and severe sight impairment, also attended the play. Mr Goodwin sat in the corridor outside the hall and described the set and action to her.
“The soldiers were usually in their fatigues, but at one point they all came in and I could see something white...the audience hooted with laughter. Of course I couldn’t see what the joke was,” she said.
Ms Clarke says she would no longer go to the theatre if audio description was not available.
“I can see things moving around, and I can see colour, but that’s all, so audio description really brings it to life,” she said.
The Wymondham Players will perform Peter Gordon's Secondary Cause of Death at Wymondham Central Hall from the November 20 to 23.
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