NDCWales' first audio described performance
NDCWales are working with audio describer Alastair Sill from Word of Mouth to present what is thought to be the Company’s first audio described performance at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff on 26 April.
As part of the process, Alastair has attended a dress rehearsal of the ‘One Another’ show and will meet with the choreographers of the three pieces of dance to discuss the work in more detail.
Alastair has also produced an audio flyer which is used to promote the show to those who experience sight loss and blind and partially sighted audiences.
We asked Alastair to explain more about Audio Description and what to expect.
What is Audio Description? How does it work?
Audio description for theatre is a live commentary giving details of the visual aspects of a production such as facial expressions, movement and any visual jokes. The commentary is interspersed between the dialogue and helps convey the story through the appropriate use of language and tone of voice. The description is broadcast using infrared, radio or Wi-Fi and picked up by the audience member wearing a special lightweight headset.
Audience members using the service will be shown how to use the headset by members of the front of house team, so everyone is comfortable and at ease before the performance begins.
How does audio description for dance differ from theatre or other performances you usually audio describe? What have you had to do differently to prepare?
In theatre audio description, the description is spoken in the gaps between the dialogue. In a piece of dance which is made up solely of movement with no dialogue, other challenges present themselves. For example, there’s a balance of getting across some of the technical language of the dance with the quality of the movement. The feel of the dance. The experience. Saying this, technical language can be very evocative and help to conjure that image. What can be useful is to describe how the movement works in an introduction and then to describe the impact of the movement in the performance itself.
I'm always in awe of dancers and how they use the whole of their bodies to tell a story. And so, it’s not just about what they’re doing with their feet, but everything else - what are they doing with their hands? Maybe even their chin? The rippling of their muscles. What is striking at a particular moment might be the smallest of things, but that small thing could be what’s driving the scene or showing how a character thinks. Their breathing as well, giving space for this to be heard. Like in a play, silences and pauses shouldn’t be filled just because it’s a silence. There are reasons why it’s there and it’s important to judge that carefully in a dance piece too.
Audio describing a piece of dance does give you the opportunity to sometimes use more heightened language, which is more expressive than if you were describing a play. And the music helps too, following the rhythm of the music - not going against it. The way you use your voice too - to reflect the tone of a play. To be engaged without being too involved. And the same goes with dance - to reflect the movement. In this way, it’s a really creative and exciting part of a production. And even if you’re describing at the back of the auditorium in a soundproof booth, you feel part of what’s happening. It’s quite a strange feeling actually.
The challenge for this production has been all of those things and more, I suppose. The temptation to just talk is there...because you want to do the best for people. But no one wants to hear someone talking in their ear on and on.... Attending the dress rehearsal has been vital, speaking to the choreographers on Zoom and listening to their thoughts about the choreography, chatting with colleagues too - and it’s great that the company and other dancers are so open and helpful. Walking away from my computer and not agonising over a word, but sometimes going for the first thing that enters your head. Or having a breather and it just comes to you. It’s a real challenge but it’s worth it in the end.
What else can those accessing the audio description expect?
There will be a pre-show introduction with a member of the National dance Company Wales team, which will give people a chance to explore selected costumes and to get a feel for the three dance pieces. I’m sure it’ll be a great night out for all! We look forward to welcoming you.
“We are passionate about making our work more accessible,” says Matthew Robinson, Artistic Director, NDCWales. “We have worked with BSL interpreters on previous tours to improve the experience for Deaf and hard of hearing audiences and we are pleased that we can also offer audio description during this tour.”
“We want to learn. We welcome feedback from those audience members using the access provisions. Communicate with us about your experience and how we can keep improving what we do.”
NDCWales’ One Another show is a trio of dance that takes you from a wild, fantastical playground to a Welsh mining community in one evening. Reconnecting us to our theatres, ourselves and…One Another. Touring Wales and England until 16 May.
BSL and Audio Description on the ‘One Another’ tour in Wales:
NDCWales One Another - Evening Triple Bill
Cardiff | Sherman Theatre 26 April 7.30pm (Audio Description) shermantheatre.co.uk
Swansea | Taliesin Arts Centre 28 April 7.30pm (BSL) taliesinartscentre.co.uk
NDCWales Discover Dance - For Schools and Families
Cardiff | Dance House WMC 20 May 6.30pm/21 May 1pm (BSL) dancehouse.wales
Swansea | Taliesin Arts Centre 29 April 1pm (BSL) taliesinartscentre.co.uk