Jersey panto welcomes 'everybody' with inclusive show

The production of Rapunzel has a specific 'relaxed' performance on Sunday

A pantomime in Jersey has been adapted to encourage neurodivergent audience members and cater for people with sensory needs.

The Jersey Amateur Dramatic Society has also scheduled a "relaxed" performance of Rapunzel on Sunday.

For this special performance, noise will be reduced, lights will stay on and there will be a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter throughout.

Director Dani Perrier said she wanted to create theatre "for everybody".

'Community event'

Ms Perrier said: "It really upsets me that some children feel like they can't come to the theatre, or parents worry about taking them to the theatre, because they don't know how they might respond or they're worried they'll interrupt other audience members' experience."

"My own son is very sensory sensitive and last year we had pyrotechnics in the pantomime and it unfortunately meant that a number of the cast members' own children felt like they couldn't watch or they left early because it was just too frightening and shocking."

As a result, this year's pantomime has not used pyrotechnics and has focused on creating a positive atmosphere.

Ms Perrier said pantomime had "always been a community event and a community thing".

James Knight is playing the pantomime dame and said the cast want to "invite everyone in"

"We have to move with the times, so that the community that we are now in front of are able to come and watch it and enjoy it."

James Knight is playing Dame Hilda in Rapunzel.

In his day-to-day life, he works in the child development and therapy centre and supports children with additional needs.

He said: "It's great to say to the community welcome, come in, come and be part of this show as well with us."

"We want to invite everyone in and it's great that we can now do that".

The pantomime has been adjusted to be more positive than frightening

Michelle Parker is playing the villain Gothel in Rapunzel and said she was "not a fan of panto in the slightest".

"Everyone who knows me knows I do not like panto, however there is a big 'but'... because for many children it's their first experience of live theatre and when you get to witness children of say three, four, five seeing these characters and truly believing that they are real, the lighting up of their faces is what makes it all worthwhile."

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