Audio described theatre, ballet and opera
Posted 30 March 2012
A scene from Opera Australia's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Photo: © Jeff Busby, with image courtesy of QPAC.
Queenslanders who are blind or have low vision can enjoy the highlights of the theatre, ballet and opera season, with an audio description service being offered for upcoming performances.
Access Arts Queensland, Vision Australia and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) are continuing to offer the service, which started in 2011.
Trained audio describers deliver a commentary of the visual aspects of a show—such as the set design and costumes; as well as actions, expressions and gestures—to complement the experience for patrons who are blind or have low vision.
The service is available for selected performances at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Brisbane.
Our experiences
Iris van Bruggen, a Gold Coast grandmother, has used the service, going along to Swan Lake with her daughter, granddaughter and a close friend.
‘It was wonderful,' she says.
‘I couldn't speak highly enough of it. Without the audio, with my vision impairment, I would have been lost. I would not have been able to follow the characters, and I would not have read the leaflet on the seat.'
Adrian Beech, pictured with his sister, Heather. Adrian went to the audio described performance of Doctor Zhivago at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre last year.
Brisbane resident Adrian Beech is another patron who has used the service. He went to an audio described performance of Doctor Zhivago with his sister, Heather, last year.
‘The audio describers were brilliant,' he says. ‘They gave you a sense of the whole scene, and painted a word picture for you.'
It was the first time Adrian had experienced a live show with audio description.
‘In the past, my father and sister have always had to describe things, which has been a distraction,' he says.
‘The live production was smooth. You got to hear what was happening during the quiet times, but there wasn't any interruption over the dialogue. It brought a tear to my eye to get a sense of being involved and to be able to experience something like that.'
Adrian is hoping to go to another audio described performance this year.
Behind the scenes
Access Arts' Executive Officer, Emma Bennison, played an active role in setting up the service.
Emma is blind and, as a performer and musician, is an advocate for the arts. She loves musical theatre, as well as the ballet. Emma says the service enhances the entertainment experience for Queenslanders who are blind or have low vision.
‘It is a great step forward,' she says.
‘It has been incredible for me seeing how the audio describers have developed their skills and are now delivering the service.'
More information
You can find out times and session details for upcoming audio described performances offered as part of the service on the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) website.
You can purchase tickets by contacting qtix group sales on email groups@qpac.com.au or calling (07) 3840 7466 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
