Miss-Delectable
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- Apr 18, 2004
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http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/features/story.jsp?story=663458
PRIDE and Prejudice was screened all last week at Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast, and Evelyn and I jumped at the chance to see the special sub-titled showing at 6.30pm on Wednesday.
We got there early and found seats near the back after being assured by the manager that we would have a good view of the subtitles there.
We had no idea where they would appear on the screen and I wanted to keep my eye on audience responses as well as getting a good view of the action. Would hearing patrons find the subtitles obtrusive?
The room filled up quickly and was full by the time the film began. I noticed a small group of sight-impaired people at the front, taking advantage of the special audio descriptive facility provided in conjunction with the subtitles. We seemed to be the only deaf folk there but, of course, it was impossible to spot the hard of hearing.
Beautiful yet unpretentious Keira Knightly was superb as Elizabeth Bennett and my wife thought Mr Darcy was a more realistic and sensitive character than in the famous 1995 TV production. The glorious colour and rustic scenery formed a wonderful backdrop to Jane Austen's subtle humour, coupled to the engrossing story, and when I risked a glance at the audience there was no sign at all that the subtitles were a problem. As far as I could see, everyone was enthralled to the very end.
The film finished all too quickly for us and we were left wanting more. TV has almost blanket coverage now of subtitled programmes and, like most other deaf people, it has been many years since we last went to the cinema.
The subtitled showings are not new and cinemas in Banbridge and Omagh have joined with a few in Belfast to take advantage of the new technology becoming available. I am not sure of the prevalent position, but when it first started subtitles were reserved for special screenings at rather unsuitable times, which is why I have been so interested in testing the reaction of the audience when subtitles are added to an ordinary scheduled performance.
The subtitles for Pride and Prejudice were unobtrusive, yet clearly visible at the bottom of the screen, and the gently sloping seating arrangement at the Queen's Theatre gives relaxed and comfortable viewing. On purchasing our tickets we were asked if we needed earphones and the staff seemed well versed in deaf awareness.
Can this technology be modified to cope with the more difficult environment of the theatre? The Grand Opera House has customarily arranged for sign language interpreters for some of its shows and in November the signed performance of Miss Saigon will be accompanied by Stage Text, a new development with captions and audio descriptions which will be of special interest to the hard of hearing and sight impaired.
If this new technology proves popular more of us may be tempted away from our television sets to enjoy the latest films and plays, and it would be great to attend Christmas pantomimes with the younger hearing members of our families and enjoy the fun just as much as they do.
All modern television sets have a facility for switching subtitles on and off by means of the 888 button and I notice my 11-year-old grandson prefers to watch with the subtitles off. It will be interesting to see how the general public reacts to a more general use of them in films or theatre.
PRIDE and Prejudice was screened all last week at Queen's Film Theatre, Belfast, and Evelyn and I jumped at the chance to see the special sub-titled showing at 6.30pm on Wednesday.
We got there early and found seats near the back after being assured by the manager that we would have a good view of the subtitles there.
We had no idea where they would appear on the screen and I wanted to keep my eye on audience responses as well as getting a good view of the action. Would hearing patrons find the subtitles obtrusive?
The room filled up quickly and was full by the time the film began. I noticed a small group of sight-impaired people at the front, taking advantage of the special audio descriptive facility provided in conjunction with the subtitles. We seemed to be the only deaf folk there but, of course, it was impossible to spot the hard of hearing.
Beautiful yet unpretentious Keira Knightly was superb as Elizabeth Bennett and my wife thought Mr Darcy was a more realistic and sensitive character than in the famous 1995 TV production. The glorious colour and rustic scenery formed a wonderful backdrop to Jane Austen's subtle humour, coupled to the engrossing story, and when I risked a glance at the audience there was no sign at all that the subtitles were a problem. As far as I could see, everyone was enthralled to the very end.
The film finished all too quickly for us and we were left wanting more. TV has almost blanket coverage now of subtitled programmes and, like most other deaf people, it has been many years since we last went to the cinema.
The subtitled showings are not new and cinemas in Banbridge and Omagh have joined with a few in Belfast to take advantage of the new technology becoming available. I am not sure of the prevalent position, but when it first started subtitles were reserved for special screenings at rather unsuitable times, which is why I have been so interested in testing the reaction of the audience when subtitles are added to an ordinary scheduled performance.
The subtitles for Pride and Prejudice were unobtrusive, yet clearly visible at the bottom of the screen, and the gently sloping seating arrangement at the Queen's Theatre gives relaxed and comfortable viewing. On purchasing our tickets we were asked if we needed earphones and the staff seemed well versed in deaf awareness.
Can this technology be modified to cope with the more difficult environment of the theatre? The Grand Opera House has customarily arranged for sign language interpreters for some of its shows and in November the signed performance of Miss Saigon will be accompanied by Stage Text, a new development with captions and audio descriptions which will be of special interest to the hard of hearing and sight impaired.
If this new technology proves popular more of us may be tempted away from our television sets to enjoy the latest films and plays, and it would be great to attend Christmas pantomimes with the younger hearing members of our families and enjoy the fun just as much as they do.
All modern television sets have a facility for switching subtitles on and off by means of the 888 button and I notice my 11-year-old grandson prefers to watch with the subtitles off. It will be interesting to see how the general public reacts to a more general use of them in films or theatre.
You should ask about them! I often go to the movies now since i've found out