Into the Dark Woods, the Blue Teapot and Abbey Theatre Co-Production written by Charlene Kelly is delighted to have audio describer Mo Harte facilitate a special Touch Tour of the forthcoming theatre premiere on Saturday 17th September at 1.45pm at Black Box Theatre Galway prior to the 3pm matinee.
Touch Tours can be very beneficial to theatre patrons who are blind, visually impaired, on the autistic spectrum, non-verbal or have intellectual difficulties. It enables those audiences a better theatre going experience and helps contextualise the stage and Charlene Kelly’s debut play, which is visually descriptive in written narrative.
Speaking about what patrons can expect, Mo Harte explained “A Touch Tour is not only for visually impaired patrons but can also be beneficial for those who process differently. It is a tactile exploration of the geography of a theatre space, the stage, selected props, costumes and furniture”.
Ahead of this tour, Mo Harte will prepare programme notes to describe the set and costumes, which will be available to read and listen to via Blue Teapot’s social media channels from Friday 16th September.
In other exciting news, Blue Teapot have been shortlisted by the prestigious Zero Project, a global non-profit organisation whose mission is to work for a world with zero barriers, improving the lives and legal rights of all persons with disabilities. Based in Galway City, Blue Teapot are one of only two Irish organisations shortlisted, having been nominated by academic Len Collin in recognition for changing the discourse and perception of artists with intellectual disabilities in professional stage and screen work.
The shortlist comprises 156 organisations from 63 countries and six continents.The Zero Project is committed to support the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD ) around the world.
As such, the 2023 Zero Project Call for Nominations is centred on Article 9 of the UN CRPD, which is dedicated to the theme of Independent Living & Political Participation and Information and Communication Technology based solutions.
Along with all shortlisted nominees, Blue Teapot will receive an exclusive invitation to attend the Zero Project Conference 2023, hosted at the United Nations Office in Vienna in February 2023.
Free Tickets for Into The Dark Woods Touch Tour are limited to ten patrons plus their companions and available from Town Hall Theatre Box Office in advance 091 569 777. The tour will last up to 30 minutes and tickets on a first come first serve basis.
