Audio Described

What is Audio Description?
Audio described shows provide a live commentary of the visuals of a performance – for example explaining how a character may dance, stomp, or skip across a stage, as well as other important visual information, such as the discovery of a murder weapon or a character hiding in a location. This means that if you are blind or partially sighted then you won’t miss a beat of the action, or any gestures that are pivotal to understanding the plot. Audio description is delivered via private headsets or headphones which you can pick up from staff at the venue. The commentary begins 15 minutes before the curtain rises.


What Audio Description isn't
Audio describers won’t talk over the dialogue of the show or all the music – so you don’t need to worry that by using audio description you’ll miss out on other elements of the performance. It isn’t backstage information or a director’s commentary – it’s the necessary information needed to visualise the performance.

What is a Touch Tour?
Some audio described performances also offer a touch tour. When you buy a ticket for an audio described show, you will be asked if you would also like free tickets for you and a companion for a touch tour – if there is one available. Touch tours usually take place on the stage, before the venue opens to the public, with the audio describer giving context about set, props and costumes. Audiences will be able to touch and feel the textures of these objects to help create a more vivid experience during the show.

What a Touch Tour isn't
A backstage tour – there is no assumption that people already know about the plot of the show, or anything about its actors, characters or directors. Descriptions are kept very practical and factual.

Tickets for touch tours are free for you and a companion. They must be booked in advance and are listed alongside our audio described performances.

Sign up to our Access Pass to book a ticket for a touch tour online, or phone the box office on our access line: +44 (0) 131 473 2056 (textphone prefix 18001).

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Introducing the Audio Describers

John Cummings has worked in theatres throughout Scotland including at Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. John has described for film companies as well as establishing audio described tours for art galleries, museums and the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. He is on the committee for Audio Description Association Scotland.

Amanda Drollinger is based in Edinburgh. She was trained by Audio Description Association Scotland in 2010 receiving a National Open College Network Certificate in Audio Description Skills. She has worked on hundreds of performances throughout Scotland with a particular interest in dance and musical theatre.

Trina Gillies retired early from a career in teaching, she was looking for something worthwhile to fill her time and discovered audio description. Since 2011, she has gained experience in different genres including theatre, musicals, film, opera and art description.

Caroline Jaquet is involved in promoting audio description and bringing it to new audiences, recently working with groups including Edinburgh Science Festival and Authentic Artists Collective. She works mostly in live theatre of all genres, but has recently begun describing textiles, exhibitions, and large-scale concerts.

Lydia Kerr has over 20 years’ experience audio describing theatre in Scotland, including several Edinburgh International Festival productions. Lydia also works in higher education with a role focused on accessibility and widening participation. Originally from Orkney, she is excited to be describing The Outrun with its connection to her childhood.

Veronica Kinahan is an avid theatre goer and music lover. It is not only fun but a privilege for her to be an audio describer: helping partially sighted people enjoy a wide variety of performing arts. Edinburgh International Festival champions the provision of access to vibrant music and theatre from all over the world. Veronica loves being part of it.

Emma-Jane McHenry is a dance and theatre specialist who has worked all over the UK and internationally over the last ten years, turning the beauty and dynamism of movement into words.

Christopher McKiddie has a passion for access and for 12 years has provided live audio description and touch tours at venues across Scotland, from panto to Pinter. He also provides audio description scriptwriting services for a variety of film, television and translation companies.

Jonathan Penny is a skilled and versatile describer with ten years' experience. His clients include the Scottish Events Campus and Take Me Somewhere Festival, and he is a regular describer with Scottish Opera due to his musical background. Previously, he led ITV’s audio description department, and he currently works for Channel 4 overseeing their output of accessible content.

Bridget Stevens has been an audio describer for more than 20 years, working in venues around the UK, including non-traditional spaces like Aberdeen Beach and Edinburgh Castle. She described the first-ever relaxed performance staged by the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh. She is also an AD Trainer, Assessor and Quality Monitor

Relaxed Performances

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BSL Interpreted Performances

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A black screen above an ornate box next to the proscenium arch of a theatre is illuminated with text explaining captioning.

Captioned Performances

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