Mayfest 2024 Access Information

Mayfest 2024 is taking place from Friday 17 May - Sunday 26 May 2024 and there’s a host of access facilities and provisions available across our performance programme to support Deaf and disabled audiences.

Check out our BSL Introduction video, our Audio Introductions or the Assisted Performances symbols below, for more information about what’s on offer.

All our indoor venues and performance spaces are wheelchair accessible and will have wheelchair accessible toilets available. Further information will be provided regarding our outdoor venues.

Easy read information is presented in a certain way to help people understand information more easily. We have prepared Easy Read guides for each performance to help you prepare before the performance.

Audio Description is additional commentary that explains what’s happening on screen. AD describes body language, expressions and movements, making the programme clear through sound.

Touch Tours are held before an Audio-Described performance to provide context about the show and to allow audiences to familiarise themselves with the design of the space, costumes and props ahead of the show itself.

Captioning converts the spoken word into text, the words appear on a screen at the same time as they are sung or spoken. Captions also include sound effects and offstage noises

British Sign Language Interpretation gives a sign interpretation of the text sung and/or spoken. A selection of tickets are held to ensure a good view of the interpreter.

Highly Visual Performances are those that are particularly enjoyable without aid of hearing. These events are highly visual and contain few or no words

Relaxed Performance are devised to make performance more accessible to people disabled by the usual rules of theatre etiquette. There is a relaxed attitude to noise and movement, some small changes made to the light and sound effects, and an open door policy so you can move freely in and out of the performance space with a chill out space available.

Scroll down to see details of specific shows and the available Assisted Performances.

The Dan Daw Show

Friday 17th & Saturday 18th May - 7.30pm

  • Every performance of The Dan Daw Show is captioned. Captions are projected onto the arch at the rear of the stage.

  • Every performance of The Dan Daw Show is a relaxed performance. Audiences are invited to move around, leave and return, whatever you need.

  • Friday 17th May at 7.30pm. BSL Interpretation provided by Sherrie Eugene-Hart. To book your seat with clear sightlines to the interpreter, please email us at mayfest@mayk.org.uk

  • Saturday 18th May

    6.30pm - Touch Tour

    7.30pm - Audio Described performance

    Audio Description available written by Liz Lea and Monique Smith-McDowell with consultation from Nic Meyer. Script updated and delivered live for Mayfest 2024 by Sophia Knox-Miller. To book your audience description and Touch Tour, email us at mayfest@mayk.org.uk or call +44(0)7704 601861

  • There will be a free Pre-Show Access drop-in at the venue, open to anyone that would benefit from being in the space before the show and finding out more about the show before the performance commences. This will take place at 6.30pm before the show on both nights. Further information will be sent to you via email in advance of the show.

  • If you find that you have an overwhelming emotional response, be it positive or negative, and would like to check in with somebody, there will be a trained wellbeing practitioner available during and after the performances. Please ask a member of our welcome team and they will take you to them.

Truth’s a Dog Must to Kennel

Saturday 18th May 2.00pm

  • Saturday 18th May at 2.00pm.

    BSL Interpretation provided by Sue MacLaine.

    To book your seat with clear sightlines to the interpreter, please email us at mayfest@mayk.org.uk

Zvizdal (Chernobyl - so far, so close)

Monday 20th & Tuesday 21st May 8.00pm

  • Spoken Language: Ukrainian

    This show contains English translated subtitles for any spoken dialogue. However it does not include descriptive subtitles for other sound elements. It may sometimes be hard to tell who is speaking. Please refer to the Access Introduction for further information.

  • Please follow the link to learn more about the shows Access Introduction

Sleight of Hand

Saturday 18th May - Sunday 26th May Various Times

  • This participatory installation is designed for both sighted and non-sighted audiences and has integrated audio description.

    - Sighted guiding will be available for BVI audiences at every performance. Please email mayfest@mayk.org.uk or call us on 07704 601861107704 6018611 to book your guide.

    - Audio Description will be available at every performance (except Sun 26 May).

    Please email mayfest@mayk.org.uk or call us on 07704 601861 to book this.

  • Subverting the format of a touch tour, this sumptuous work invites audiences to participate in a series of touch encounters with unknown objects, materials and matter. A touch tour is usually held before an Audio-Described performance of a theatre production to provide context about the show and to allow blind and partially sighted members of the audience to familiarise themselves with the design of the space, costumes and props ahead of the show itself.

  • As this is a newly commissioned woak, the company are compiling a Pre-Show Information Document to share with audiences in advance. Content notes, including what happens in the show, are included in the document. The information below is to help you decide if Sleight of Hand is for you.

    Please note

    - This show is participatory and will require you to take part in the work, touching items and using your senses.

    - Please arrive on time. Each show will start at the allocated time. This is a limited capacity performance, if you can’t make it, please cancel in advance to allow others the opportunities to take part.

Arch

Friday 24th - Sunday 26th May
8.00pm

  • Arch is a highly visual performance and can be enjoyed without the aid of hearing. A choir sings as part of the performance although no words or lyrics are sung.

  • The show has an inclusive approach to noise and movement coming from the audience. People are welcome to wriggle, move, stim, or respond in any way that is natural for them. You are free to come and go from your seat, to use the toilet or decompress and return at any time.

  • Here is a link to ARCH Easy Read Guide

The Making of Pinocchio

Friday 24th & Saturday 25th May 7.30pm

  • All performances are captioned, including descriptions of the sound and music.

  • All performances are Relaxed this means you can move or make noise if you need to and can go in and out of the performance space.

  • Saturday 18th May at 7.30pm

    The touch tour will take place 1 hour before the performance at 6.30pm.

    The Audio Description script is updated and delivered live for Mayfest 2024 by Sophia Knox-Miller. To book your audience description and Touch Tour, email us at mayfest@mayk.org.uk or call +44(0)7704 601861

  • If you find that you have an overwhelming emotional response, be it positive or negative, and would like to check in with somebody, there will be a trained wellbeing practitioner available during and after the performances. Please ask a member of our welcome team and they will take you to them.

We define disability based on the Social Model Approach which embraces all physical, sensory and invisible impairments, learning disability, mental health, neurodivergent and fatigue conditions.

A photograph from Paraorchestra's The Nature of Why, Mayfest 2018, which shows some people dancing and a person in the foreground in a wheelchair playing a french horn

The Nature of Why, Paraorchestra, Mayfest 2018. Photo by Paul Blakemore

Creating an accessible festival experience for everyone

Need companion tickets or have any other access questions? Reach out to us at mayfest@mayk.org.uk or call +44(0)7704 601861