Why and how to organise a trip to the theatre between now and the end of term for your autistic students

!cid_8ec7e9132e363f9e420a29aabbc604f6

It came to our attention that many autistic students have never been to the theatre due to the sensory overload that it can cause and difficulties with leaving and re-entering an auditorium mid-performance (to name just a couple of reasons).

Yet, the educational benefits of watching a stage production at the theatre are tremendous, more so for students with autism.

Thus, we are inviting people who may benefit from a more relaxed environment, including people with autism, sensory and communication disorders, or a learning disability to our Relaxed Performance of The Railway Children at King’s Cross Theatre in London at 2.30PM on Wednesday 22 June 2016.

Our Relaxed Performance of The Railway Children has been adapted especially for autistic children with invaluable guidance and support from the National Autistic Society.

Adaptations include adjustments to the production’s sound and lighting levels, and if a student needs to leave and re-enter the auditorium, they can do so with ease. We have also devised a chill-out area in the foyer which your students can use as and when they need.

Furthermore, ‘Visual Stories’ (detailed information and photos) of both the theatre and the show will be sent to you in advance, and members of the National Autistic Society will be on-hand to help out on the day.

You can find more information about the Olivier Award-winning production of Mike Kenny’s stage adaptation of E. Nesbit’s novel, The Railway Children, at www.railwaychildrenlondon.com/ticket-info/access or by calling 0844 815 7121 (calls cost 7p/min).

The relaxed performance is open for general sale as usual and there are no restrictions other than the usual age related ones (children under 2 will not be admitted, children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult). There are access rates of either £24.75 or £12.50 (with the usual complimentary companion seats).