On Wednesday 1 February 2012 Shakespeare WA will stage an audio described performance of The Comedy of Errors directed by Paige Newmark as part of the 2012 Shakespeare in the Park season in Kings Park and Botanic Garden.  

Shakespeare WA wanted to reach out to a community group and approached the Association for the Blind of WA to find out how they could perform their own live audio described performance.

The team from Shakespeare WA and the Association enlisted help from AEG Ogden Perth, who generously provided volunteers to present the live audio description on the evening Wednesday 1 February.

Audio description refers to an additional narration track on visual media (including television, film, dance, opera and visual art) for consumers who are blind or vision impaired. It consists of a narrator speaking throughout the presentation, describing what's happening on the stage during natural pauses in dialogue, and sometimes during discussion if deemed necessary.

Volunteers from AEG Ogden Perth will watch the show three times prior to audio describing the performance, twice as audience members and once taking detailed notes.

We spoke to Alice Jorgenson, Deputy General Manager at AEG Ogden, about their decision to help the initiative.

‘The Perth Theatre Trust and AEG Ogden Perth have worked hard to develop audio description in our venues over the last few years. We're very excited to see it now being used by other venues and organisations.'

‘The first time I described a show to a paying patron it was for an eight hour long Shakespeare production. I had to watch the performance a total of four times which was a very long haul.'

‘Only one patron came along to the show however it was such a rewarding experience to be able to give her the opportunity to fully experience this show I would have been happy to watch it another four times! She was so happy and got so much more out of the production because of the Audio Description, it was worth every second!'

To purchase a ticket to see The Comedy of Errors visit Shakespeare WA. To secure a headset to hear the live audio description please use the promotional code: guidedogs.

Tickets for the live audio described performance are limited, so get in quick!

Read more about The Comedy of Errors.

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