THIS year will mark a first for the Swan Theatre’s annual professional pantomime, as the Worcester Repertory Company will be staging their first ever signed performance.
A spokesman said: "The Worcester Repertory Company will be delighting audiences with a sparkling re-telling of one of the most magical of fairy-tales Cinderella this December, and this year they want to make sure that everyone can enjoy the magic of pantomime.
"Worcester-based charity Deaf Direct have teamed up with the Swan Theatre in order to find an interpreter for the performance; and they will need to be pretty brave with Dame Ginny the Fairy Godmother up to her usual on-stage ad-libbing antics, and a cheeky Buttons to deal with to boot!"
Deaf Direct, whose mission is to promote empowering opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing people throughout Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Oxfordshire, say they are "thrilled to strike up the partnership with the Swan Theatre".
Gordon Hay, Community Manager at Deaf Direct said, “Relaxing and enjoying entertainment is an important part of wellbeing for all of us. There aren’t many opportunities to see signed performances so we are delighted to be working with the Swan Theatre to provide access to this year’s pantomime.
"The local deaf community are really excited and can’t wait to see the show.”
Worcester Rep Associate Director Ben Humphrey added, “We are really excited to be doing our first ever signed performance. We want as many people as possible to be able to enjoy our pantomime, and experience what is such a wonderfully British tradition. For many, the annual pantomime is a major part of their Christmas ritual and a time when whole families come together. That is something very special to be a part of. We have already planned to do another signed performance next year, and we’re also looking into the possibility of doing a relaxed performance, which would make the pantomime even more inclusive and accessible.”
The signed performance will take place on Friday December 9 at 6pm at The Swan Theatre in Worcester.
Cinderella opens at the Swan Theatre on Monday, December 5 and runs through to Sunday, January 8.
Tickets are available from the Worcester Live Box Office on 01905 611427 and www.theswantheatre.co.uk
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