Theatre hosts 'touch tours' for visually-impaired audiences

Children could handle props such as Snow White's apples during the tour

A theatre is hosting regular "touch tours" to help visually-impaired people engage with its shows.

At the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre's sessions, people can go on stage, touch props and scenery, and talk to actors before a show.

The theatre hosted a Snow White touch tour for children this month and plans two others in the coming weeks.

"It just paints a picture for them of what's happening on stage," said Remy Lloyd, the theatre's head of outreach.

The tours give audiences a chance to touch props and scenery while staff describe them

Twenty-four families attended the Snow White touch tour, where children could handle props such as apples, magic wands and a cauldron while staff described them.

"They were so excited. When they [realised they] could walk onto the stage, their mouths dropped," Lloyd said.

"They just didn't want to leave."

The children then watched the show, in a special performance where they could listen on headphones to a description of what was happening on stage.

At the Snow White tour, children could also talk to the puppets who appeared in the show

The theatre tries to put on free touch tours for all its major shows, with one session this weekend for the musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie, and another next month for The Rocky Horror Show.

The theatre works with the charity Guide Dogs UK to find people who wish to attend.

Many theatres are trying to be more accessible, by offering some shows with audio-descriptions, sign language, or relaxed performances that have several adaptations for people with additional needs.

But it can also be hard for some venues to afford or arrange these services.

The sessions help visually-impaired audiences to prepare for the show, theatre staff said

"A lot of venues don't offer touch tours because it can be logistically tricky. But it's important," said Lloyd.

The sessions help visually-impaired audiences to prepare for the show, because there can be a lot to take in during the performance itself, Lloyd explained.

"It brings their experience up to the level of the sighted audience," she said.