Theatre group performs more accessible shows

The cast of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time put on a relaxed performance in May

A community amateur theatre company said it aimed to be "inclusive for everyone" by adapting more shows to cater for diverse audiences.

Rickmansworth Players, in Hertfordshire, wants to prove that "entertainment is for everyone".

In May it adjusted its production of the play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by putting on a relaxed performance and its musical The Little Mermaid will have a British Sign Language signer at two shows.

Sarah Rodrigues, actor and marketing manager, said the non-profit company wanted to "move forward with the times".

Sarah Rodrigues (left) will be playing the role of an eel in The Little Mermaid but said the snake is a prop they are using just for rehearsals

Ms Rodrigues said as the play adaptation of the popular book, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon, was about an autistic boy, they wanted to try and encourage people "who go through those same experiences to come and see the show".

She said altering the lighting, introducing all the characters and organising a meet and greet, was only possible after the cast and crew, who are not paid, committed to making the changes and took time off work for the relaxed performance on a Friday afternoon to go ahead.

The performer said the changes were daunting at first but "the reward from it is just amazing", and the additional costs have been "outweighed by the new audience that you get coming in".

"There's clearly a need there, or a want there, from a different audience", she added.

The cast are busy perfecting their moves for The Little Mermaid

"We want to move forward with the times and being a community theatre we want to be much more inclusive to the whole community", she said.

"We want to get a more varied audience to prove that entertainment is for everyone.

"We are determined to be as inclusive as possible, whether you want to take part or just come and watch, we know there is more to do."

The Little Mermaid is a stage adaptation of the popular Disney musical film

The Little Mermaid will be performed at Watersmeet, Rickmansworth, from 20 - 23 November with the signed performances on Thursday night and Saturday afternoon.