Theatre

Captioned performances

Many theatres now offer performances with captions. There are two types of captioning at the theatre: 

Open access captioning

Open access captioning allows everyone in the audience to see the captions. Words spoken by the actors, and descriptions of sound effects and music are displayed on screens next to the stage in real-time. 

Theatres will advertise which performances are captioned on their website. You can also find performances with open access captioning in your area on the Stagetext website.

Some theatres may reserve specific seats with the best view of captions. Check the accessibility information on your theatre’s website or contact them directly for more information.

Growing up, I often went to the theatre and just accepted that I would miss parts of the show. In the past year, however, I’ve been lucky enough to experience subtitles for the first time.

Isabelle and I had two special days out just us – both to the theatre. Our first show was The Sound of Music. The entire performance had live captioning with screens either side of the stage. [We booked] seats where we’d easily be able to see and read along."

Nicky is mum to Isabelle (6), who is profoundly deaf and wears cochlear implants. Nicky is severely deaf herself and wears hearing aids. 

Closed captioning

Closed captions can only be seen by people using special equipment. This may be a handheld device, a small screen in the back of the seat in front or special captioning glasses.

Captioning equipment may need to be reserved when you book your ticket. Check the accessibility information on your theatre’s website or contact them directly for more information.

Performances with sign language interpreters

More and more theatres are now offering performances with sign language interpretation. This means a British Sign Language (BSL) or Irish Sign Language (ISL) interpreter will stand on the side of the stage or in a theatre box during the show. They will interpret the words on stage at the same time as it’s being performed.

Theatres will advertise signed performances on their website. You can also find signed performances on the Theatre Sign website.

Most theatres will reserve seats close to the interpreter for sign language users. Contact your theatre directly for more information.

Performances in sign language

There are several UK-based theatre companies which use BSL as a central part of their productions. These include Deafinitely Theatre and Taking Flight. 

Each year, the Edinburgh Deaf Festival takes place, offering a variety of theatre and comedy performances in BSL, with options for people of all ages. 

You could also search for deaf theatre companies in your area.

Using hearing technology at the theatre

Most theatres have technology installed for users of hearing aids and implants. This allows sound from the performance to be directly sent to your hearing technology.

There are two main types of system used in theatres – loop systems and infrared systems. Check your theatre’s website for information on which they use.

Loop systems

Hearing loops take sound from the actors’ microphones and the theatre’s audio system and turn it into a wireless signal.

Hearing aids and implant processors can pick up the signal when they are turned to the T-setting. This means hearing technology users can hear sound from the stage clearly with little background noise.

The loop system should cover the whole auditorium, but there may be seats where signal is weaker. Contact your theatre directly for more information.

Infrared systems

Infrared systems change sound into a signal made of invisible light. This is sent from a transmitter to a wearable receiver, which connects with hearing aids or implants.

The receiver is worn around the neck like a lanyard. You will need to use the T-setting on your technology to connect with the infrared system.

Some theatres require you to book a receiver in advance, or you may be able to request one from a member of staff on the day of the performance.

Some infrared systems can be used with headphones – this may be useful for those with mild or moderate deafness who do not usually wear hearing aids or implants. 

The infrared system will not work if there are solid objects, such as a pillar, between the transmitter and receiver. Contact your theatre before buying tickets to make sure your chosen seats are suitable.

Free companion tickets

Most theatres offer free companion tickets for their performances. This allows deaf and disabled people to bring another person with them to the theatre free-of-charge. 

How to book a free companion ticket varies between theatres. In some cases, theatres have their own access schemes, and you may need to contact them directly to prove you are eligible. This may involve sending documents such as:

• A letter from your doctor.
• Proof you receive support such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

Other theatres will let you book a free companion ticket if you are a member of the Nimbus Access Card scheme and have a +1 symbol on your card.