Out of 79 shows, playing now or due to open soon in London’s West End, I found 47 have Captioned Performances and Audio Described Performances scheduled, as well as 35 British Sign Language Performances. I haven’t added them up like this before but it feels like the numbers are on the increase, which is fantastic news.
Sadly though, out of the 79 West End shows, there are just 7 Relaxed Performances set to take place which is sad.
As an autistic person, I am able to attend mainstream shows but always prefer a relaxed/chilled environment, as it takes the stress away from worrying about whether or not I might need to leave the auditorium during the show (shows that make a point to say there is a no re-admittance policy if you do leave, just make the anxiety worse).
I wonder what the reason is for the lack of Relaxed Performances being scheduled. Theatres seem to be fairly consistent with Captioned, Signed and Audio Described Performances (The Mousetrap website states that all performances are now Audio Described, begging the question ‘why can’t this be rolled out to every performance of every show’).
Holding a Relaxed Performance takes some effort, whilst Signed, Audio Described and Captioned performances are easier to produce. Relaxed Performances require physical adjustments to the show. From bright flashing lights to loud bangs, changes may need to be made in order for the performance to be suitable for those with autism. This costs money and is just one of several expenses incurred by producers in order to allow this type of performance to happen.
Chilled Performances however are something I have recently started seeing pop up. These seem to take place as any other performance would, with no adjustments to the show itself. But what is different is a more relaxed atmosphere for the audience. The lights may not go fully down and the rules of theatre etiquette are relaxed, allowing people to talk, sing, clap and move around the auditorium as they wish. So if you want to be texting on your phone during a show (although why you would pay to see a show and then do that is bizarre to me), you may benefit from a ‘chilled’ performance.
It’s 2025 and not everyone is able (or would like) to sit still and quiet for long periods of time and so having one performance per week where the rules of audience behaviour are relaxed, could enable all kinds of people to attend. And by removing the anxiety of being told what you can and can’t do whilst at the theatre, some people could feel much more comfortable.
Could introducing more chilled performances in the West End help to move us one step closer to making theatre accessible for all?
Food for thought.
See which West End shows have accessible performances coming up
