How relaxed performances enable people to enjoy a show
Relax and enjoy the show It’s a human right to be able to freely participate in and benefit from culture [1] . If you and your family can’t access shows, you’re missing out physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. I’ve been involved in ‘relaxed’ performances for a few years. Not as a performer or a technician but as an adviser and volunteer. It’s tremendous to experience the relief, pleasure and increased confidence they bring to audiences. It’s also a positive experience for performers. Many people feel that relaxed performances offer a more dynamic theatrical experience which benefits everyone. Public performance companies and venues are gradually realising how many more people will pay to enjoy their shows if a few small changes are made to the experience. What is a relaxed performance? A relaxed performance retains the essential content and character of a show, while making them more accessible for people with sensory communication needs. Shows and venues are dif