Miss-Delectable
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Belfast Telegraph
A new resource aimed at encouraging deaf people to visit local theatres has been launched.
In the Loop is a database of people who are deaf or hard of hearing through which arts venues can send information on events and shows which are accessible to them.
The resource is currently being piloted by the Belfast Festival at Queen's and the Grand Opera House.
Performances of Alan Bennett's award-winning play The History Boys will be offered with both captioning - words displayed on a screen near the stage - and British Sign Language, while a number of BT Talks will be offered with British Sign Language interpretation.
Alice Jackson from Audiences NI, who managed the project, said: "This marks a first for the arts sector in Northern Ireland. While many venues and festivals would like to encourage deaf and hard of hearing audiences to attend their events, it can be difficult to know where to start and how to reach this potential audience."
Grand Opera House theatre director John Botteley said: "We have nine BSL performances of a variety of shows as well as captioned and audio-described performances, a touch tour of The History Boys and two captioned performances of Cats.
"We also have induction loop and infra-red systems in both the main auditorium and in the new Baby Grand Theatre, so hopefully we will welcome even more deaf and hard of hearing customers through our doors when we re-open at the end of the month."
Claire Mullen from deaf and hard of hearing charity RNID said: "This project has opened doors to a world of entertainment for deaf and hard of hearing people in Northern Ireland."
For more information, register at Audiences Northern Ireland - Website
A new resource aimed at encouraging deaf people to visit local theatres has been launched.
In the Loop is a database of people who are deaf or hard of hearing through which arts venues can send information on events and shows which are accessible to them.
The resource is currently being piloted by the Belfast Festival at Queen's and the Grand Opera House.
Performances of Alan Bennett's award-winning play The History Boys will be offered with both captioning - words displayed on a screen near the stage - and British Sign Language, while a number of BT Talks will be offered with British Sign Language interpretation.
Alice Jackson from Audiences NI, who managed the project, said: "This marks a first for the arts sector in Northern Ireland. While many venues and festivals would like to encourage deaf and hard of hearing audiences to attend their events, it can be difficult to know where to start and how to reach this potential audience."
Grand Opera House theatre director John Botteley said: "We have nine BSL performances of a variety of shows as well as captioned and audio-described performances, a touch tour of The History Boys and two captioned performances of Cats.
"We also have induction loop and infra-red systems in both the main auditorium and in the new Baby Grand Theatre, so hopefully we will welcome even more deaf and hard of hearing customers through our doors when we re-open at the end of the month."
Claire Mullen from deaf and hard of hearing charity RNID said: "This project has opened doors to a world of entertainment for deaf and hard of hearing people in Northern Ireland."
For more information, register at Audiences Northern Ireland - Website