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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