Access & Inclusion


CONTENTS:
1. Festival Magazine
2. Vision
3. Sensory Friendly
4. Hearing
5. Accessible and Inclusive
6. Mobility
7. Access in The Domain
8. Access in The Crescent, Parramatta Park
9. Access in the Meriton, Festival Village
10. Booking
11.Companion Card
12.Get in touch!


We welcome all visitors to Sydney Festival events and make every effort to ensure the program is accessible to our whole audience.

Download the Accessible Performance Guide and Accessible Performance Calendar


1. FESTIVAL MAGAZINE

The 2017 Sydney Festival program will be available in the following alternative formats:
- MP3, click here to download
- PDF, click here to download
- Interactive PDF, view here
- Word document in large print format, click here to download
- Braille (please contact Sydney Festival on 1300 856 876 or email access@sydneyfestival.org.au)
- Audio CD (please contact Vision Australia on 1300 847 466)


2. VISION

AUDIO DESCRIPTION

Audio describers give live, verbal descriptions of actions, costumes, scenery, and other visual elements of a performance. This is done during gaps in the dialogue via a small earpiece, provided to patrons pre-show. The audio description begins 10 minutes prior to the performance, and provides program details together with descriptions of costumes and stage settings. Patrons must book the service in advance and pick up a free FM headset on arrival.

THEATRE
The Season 
Set during the muttonbird harvesting season this is a family get-together we can all relate to, filled with shenanigans, laughter, truths and tears.

Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
13 January, 7.30pm. No tactile tour.

Audio described by Emma Bedford. 

MUSICAL
Ladies in Black
Tim Finn’s smash hit award winning show that has all the shine and sparkle of Broadway. This swanky new home-grown musical is a whirling, toe-tapping trip back in time to Sydney in the late 1950s.

Thursday 19 January, 8pm & Saturday 21 January, 2pm
Sydney Lyric at The Star

No tactile tour.

Audio described by Vision Australia. 

THEATRE 
Home Country 
Staged in a multi-level car park in Blacktown, Home Country is a theatrical triptych that explores place, identity, and what it means to be home.

Colo Lane Car Park, Blacktown
20 January, 6.30pm

No tactile tour.

Audio described by Emma Bedford. 

TACTILE TOURS
Tactile tours allow patrons who are blind or have low vision to have a hands-on experience. Depending on the production/installation, patrons are given access to costumes, props and stage set in order to capture the atmosphere of the work. Tactile tours occur before the performance. Patrons must book in advance.

THEATRE 

The Encounter 
Transmitted direct to the audience through headphones, the show’s groundbreaking sound design plugs into the power of imagination as we’re transported into the humid depths of the Amazon. Although there is a visual element to this production, it can still be enjoyed by patrons who are blind or have low vision.

Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
27 January, 7.30pm

The pre-show audio description and tactile tour will start at 6pm, the performance itself will not be live audio described. Meeting point is the Drama Theatre doors.

Audio described by Emma Bedford. 

PRE-SHOW NOTES
Pre-show notes are available upon request for any production. Please email access@sydneyfestival.org.au

ASSISTANCE ANIMALS
Assistance animals are welcome at all Festival events and venues. Bookings are essential. If you are blind or have low vision and want to attend an event at Sydney Festival, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT can provide you with free training on how to travel safely from any location to your event at the Festival. Call 1800 804 805 to discuss your travel needs.


3. SENSORY FRIENDLY

RELAXED PERFORMANCES
Relaxed performances are designed to create a safe and welcoming environment for children on the autism spectrum or other disabilities that create sensory sensitivities, along with their friends, carers and families. Performances are provided in a supportive and non-judgemental environment, with slight modifications to sound and lighting, an open door policy and a quiet area available. A downloadable pre-visit social story will be available online, and support aids will be available at the entrance to the venue.

CIRCUS 

Kaleidoscope
Ethan was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome at four. On stage, he’s joined by five circus performers and together they explore the colour, chaos and incredible beauty of his world.

Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres
13-15, 17-18 January, all performances

CIRCUS 

Tipping Point
Five performers push themselves to the limit on five metre metal poles that transform into a myriad of walkways, pillars and pendulums.

Spaghetti Circus Big Top, Prince Alfred Square
21 January, 2.30pm


4. HEARING

ASSISTIVE LISTENING
Many venues have an induction hearing loop system or FM radio system available. Visit sydneyfestival.org.au/2017/getting-around for venue information.

AUSLAN INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE
Auslan interpreted performances are for audiences who are Deaf and use Australian Sign Language (Auslan). Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and translate the text and dialogue into Auslan, signing live. Audiences requiring this service are seated in the section closest to the interpreter to ensure good sightlines.

CABARET 

Briefs
Fresh from sell-out seasons in Berlin and London and described as the love child of Ru Paul’s Drag Race and Cirque du Soleil, this is an Aussie sharp-shooting cabaret of burlesque with balls.

Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, Meriton Festival Village
8 January, 9.30pm

THEATRE

Home Country
Staged in a multi-level car park in Blacktown, Home Country is a theatrical triptych that explores place, identity, and what it means to be home.

Colo Lane Car Park, Blacktown
14 January, 6.30pm

THEATRE 

You and Me and the Space Between 
This is a magical tale of an adventurous girl that unfolds live in front of your eyes as cartoonist Cathy Wilcox (SMH, The Age) draws the pictures, while the story is narrated by Raelee Hill.

Everest Theatre, Seymour Centre
20 January at 2pm

COMEDY 

Felicity Ward: 50% More Likely To Die 
A garishly colourful tapestry of pin-sharp comic observations about mental health by award winning Felicity Ward.

Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, Meriton Festival Village
22 January at 7.30pm 

LIVE THEATRE CAPTIONING
Theatre captioning is an accurate live text display of a theatre performance in its entirety, including actors’ dialogue, ad libs, asides, song lyrics, musical descriptions and other sound effects, displayed either on large screens at the side of the stage, or via GoTheatrical! mobile app.

THEATRE 

Prize Fighter 
Get ringside for a rare theatrical combo: engrossing storytelling paired with the visceral thrill of live boxing in adrenaline pumping, full-contact theatre. To receive captions, simply download the GoTheatrical! mobile app on your iPhone or Android.

Upstairs, Belvoir St Theatre
14 January, 2pm

MUSICAL 

Ladies in Black
Tim Finn’s smash hit award winning show that has all the shine and sparkle of Broadway. This swanky new home-grown musical is a whirling, toe-tapping trip back in time to Sydney in the late 1950s.

Sydney Lyric at The Star
21 January, 2pm

DANCE 

Blood on the Dancefloor 
When Aboriginal choreographer, dancer and writer Jacob Boehme was diagnosed with HIV he reached out to his ancestors in search of answers.

Bay 20, Carriageworks
24 January, 6pm

THEATRE 

The Encounter 
Transmitted direct to the audience through headphones, the show’s groundbreaking sound design plugs into the power of imagination as we’re transported into the humid depths of the Amazon. Captions via GoTheatrical! mobile app only.

Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House
25 January, 7.30pm

Bookings for Auslan interpreted and live theatre captioned performances can be made online - please see the BOOKING section below for further info.

SURTITLED PERFORMANCES
Foreign language performances are surtitled, with the translation of dialogue displayed on a screen above the stage.

OPERA 

King Roger
Watching his wife dance under the stranger’s spell, King Roger struggles with his own passions: choosing between the sacred love he knows and the sensuous, glittering realm of hedonism the shepherd preaches.

Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House
20, 28, 31 January & 2, 4, 8, 11, 15 February, all performances

In Polish with English surtitles

THEATRE 

Measure for Measure 
This piercing production delves into the depths of an unpredictable city to dissect the nature of government, love and justice. It’s Shakespeare mixed with modern-dress and Russian theatre traditions.

Roslyn Packer Theatre, Walsh Bay
7–11 January, all performances

In Russian with English surtitles

VISUAL CONTENT
A guide for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.


Contains no music or dialogue

House of Mirrors
Myuran Sukumaran – Another Day in Paradise
Still Life
The Beach
Vernon Ah Kee - not an animal or a plant


Fully surtitled or has minimal dialogue, some background music and/or sounds

Exit
Institute
King Roger
Measure for Measure
Nude Live


Partially surtitled or includes dialogue, some background music and/or sounds

Balabala
Champions
Cry Jailolo
HUMANS
Inheritor Album
Kaleidoscope
The Scent of Sydney
Spectra
Tipping Point
iD


5. ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE
Performances and workshops that are accessible to people of all abilities. Bookings are essential. To ensure we are fully inclusive, please let us know of any specific access requirements before attending the event.

THEATRE/INSTALLATION

Imagined Touch
Deafblind artists provide an insight into a world without sight or sound, in a unique sensory performance. Wearing goggles and headphones that restrict light and sound – and through intensified tactile communication – experience the artists’ stories. 

So we can tailor the experience for you, please inform us of any access requirements you have when you book your tickets. Email access@sydneyfestival.org.au or call 1300 856 876.

Imagined Touch is also presented as a tactile installation where you can get an insight into the Deafblind experience.

Track 8, Carriageworks
Performances: 9-14 January, all performances
Installation: 10-15 January, 10am-4pm

WORKSHOP

Circus for everyone – Hang around with Aerialize!

A free program of over 20 circus workshops presented by Aerialize that includes classes for everyone from tiny tots to seniors and for all abilities. Includes HANDS ON CIRCUS: THISABILITY! - a session on 21 January at 10.30am specifically for kids aged 4+ with disability with a strong focus on tactile environments and textured equipment to play with and explore. 

Courtyard, Riverside Theatres
13-15 January & 20-22 January

WORKSHOP

Ockham’s Razor Aerial Theatre Workshop for people with disability
This is an inclusive aerial theatre workshop which offers the chance to experience the thrill of the circus in a safe, friendly environment. The workshop is open to all people who identify as disabled or Deaf.

Spaghetti Circus Big Top, Prince Alfred Square
22 January, 10am

WORKSHOP

Kaleidoscope Workshops
Led by artists from Kaleidoscope, participants will enjoy structured and creative play to discover their imaginative potential. A hands-on art and performance experience for ages 10–16 of all abilities. The session on 17 January is identified specifically for children on the Autism spectrum.

Lennox Theatre, Riverside Theatres
14, 17 & 18 January

TALK

Circus and Access
One of three panel discussions as part of the Circus City program, exploring conversations around the circus arts and access for people with disability.

Rafferty’s Theatre, Riverside Theatres
19 January, 3.15pm


6. MOBILITY

Sydney Festival ensures that its venues are as physically accessible as possible.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

All venues in the 2017 program are wheelchair accessible. Designated wheelchair spaces (where available) are sold at the lowest price in the house for that performance (excluding PJ Harvey and Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds).

For access information on specific venues visit sydneyfestival.org.au/2017/getting-around.


7. ACCESS IN THE DOMAIN

At Symphony Under the Stars and Opera in The Domain, an accessible viewing area for patrons with accessibility requirements is located on the eastern side of The Domain between towers 6 and 7. Friends and family are also welcome in the designated viewing area.

The Domain precinct is relatively flat but does have inclining and declining sealed pathways throughout. We provide accessible amenities, a drop-off and pick-up area and limited parking close to this viewing area for MPS permit holders. Registration is essential to access the viewing and parking area.

Bookings can be made from Thursday 17 November 2016 on 02 8006 5700.


8. ACCESS AT THE CRESCENT, PARRAMATTA PARK

At Symphony Under the Stars a viewing area for patrons with accessibility needs is located at the front on the right side as you look at the stage. Friends and family are also welcome in the designated viewing area. The precinct is relatively flat with a mix of grass and paved surfaces. Accessible amenities are available. A drop off and pick up area and accessible parking (for MPS permit holders) is at the O’Connell Street carpark. No is booking required.


9. ACCESS IN THE MERITON FESTIVAL VILLAGE

All venues in The Meriton Festival Village are wheelchair accessible.

The Magic Mirrors Speigeltent offers priority entry for people with specific access needs. Click here to download an access map for the Meriton Festival Village.


10. BOOKING

Download the Accessible Performance Guide and Accessible Performance Calendar above.

Bookings are essential for all accessible services. Bookings for Auslan interpreted and live theatre captioned performances can be made online by entering the promotional code Access2017 during purchase.

To discuss your access requirements and to book all other access services or performances, please call Sydney Festival’s reception on 1300 856 876 or email access@sydneyfestival.org.au

Sydney Festival is happy to receive phone calls via the National Relay Service. TTY users, phone 133 677, then ask for 1300 856 876. Speak and Listen users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 1300 856 876. Internet relay users, visit relayservice.gov.au, then ask for 1300 856 876.

Please assist us by making bookings for accessible performances by Friday 16 December 2016.


11. COMPANION CARD

Sydney Festival supports the Companion Card program. For patrons who require assistance of a companion or carer, a second ticket is issued at no cost to the Companion Card holder. Please contact Sydney Festival directly on 1300 856 876 to assist with your booking.


12. GET IN TOUCH!

We would love your feedback in order to continue, improving our access program and services. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on 1300 856 876 or access@sydneyfestival.org.au if you have any queries or suggestions regarding accessibility at Sydney Festival.

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