Relaxed Performance of The Cat In The HAt AT Wolverhampton Grand

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre recently announced their first non-pantomime Relaxed Performance.

On Saturday 5 September at 10:30am, the performance of Dr Seuss’s The Cat In The Hat will be tailored to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed theatre environment, such as those on the Autistic Spectrum and/or with Additional Needs.

The Cat In The Hat will be the third Relaxed Performance to be held at the Grand Theatre, following the sell out success of the 2013 and 2014 relaxed pantomime performances.

This new production of The Cat In The Hat was first presented in a sold out run at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and tells the story of the moment the cat’s tall, red-and-white-striped hat appears around the door. Sally and her brother know that the cat in the hat is the funniest, most mischievous cat they have ever met. With the trickiest of tricks and craziest of ideas, he turns a rainy afternoon into an amazing adventure.

The nature of a Relaxed Performance sees that the rules of the regular theatre environment are adjusted to allow inclusion of patrons who may find the theatregoing experience stressful. Small changes are made to sound levels and lighting intensities to reduce levels of stress that the performance may induce to those with sensory or communication disorders.  There are also Chill Out Zones in areas outside of the theatre auditorium. Chill Out Zones provide a quiet and comfortable environment for patrons who need to leave the performance – the show is relayed on screens in the bar areas so that the show isn’t missed entirely.

Grand Theatre Marketing Officer (Access) Janine Graeme said:
“As a theatre we pride ourselves on making live performance accessible to as many people as possible. Feedback from our previous Relaxed Performances has been incredibly positive. Until now, we have only been able to offer this type of performance during the week for the benefit of school groups. We have listened to our audiences and are pleased to announce a Saturday Relaxed Performance for The Cat In The Hat. This will enable families to come along and experience the magic, thrill and excitement that a live performance can evoke. ”

In addition to the work put into Relaxed Performances, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre is proud to be the first theatre to offer theatregoers a unique scheme of Chilled Performances. These particular events take elements of a Relaxed Performance such as the Chill Out Zones, aiming to reduce anxiety levels at particular shows throughout the year for which the performance itself cannot be altered.  The next Chilled Performance will be on Wednesday 3 June at 12:30pm for Northern Ballet’s Elves & The Shoemaker.

 The Grand Theatre will host an annual pantomime Relaxed Performance of upcoming Peter Pan starring the Chuckle Brothers and John Altman on Thursday 21 January 2016 at 11am.

Tickets for the Relaxed Performance of The Cat In The Hat are £12.50 each.

For more information on any access performances, including Relaxed and Chilled and to make ticket reservations please contact Janine Graeme (Marketing Officer – Access) janine@grandtheatre.co.uk or call 01902 573 311.