15 Jul 2015
Today is #DisabilityStories on Twitter, an international event where we can celebrate the work being done to ensure museums are accessible to all audiences. Later this month we're holding special British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances of Against Captain's Orders - we caught up with the team involved to see how they go about turning an immersive theatre experience into a BSL interpreted event.
Produced by National Maritime Museum Greenwich and Punchdrunk Enrichment this ground breaking approach to opening up the Museum’s collections to young audiences has been presented to critical acclaim. Young visitors and their families are immersed in an adventure through the Museum’s collection of objects and their histories. Joining the crew of HMS Adventure the young audience, put on their life jackets, meets fearless curators and step into the action. If they are brave enough to step on board they will not believe what happens next. It’s exciting, enlightening and perhaps a tiny bit dangerous…..
Facilitated by two experienced BSL interpreters, two performances of Against Captain’s Orders have been programmed specifically for deaf people and their families on Tuesday 28th of July, at 12:00 and 17:10. This interactive experience will enable the audience to be immersed in the action through facilitated British Sign Language conversations with the performers within the experience. Through assessing the needs of this specific audience the presentation of the experience has required a few adjustments. Audience numbers have been halved to ensure that sight lines are more easily maintained and that there is an unbroken connection with the performers, the interpreters and the audience members. The lighting within the experience has been reviewed to ensure that the interpreters will be well lit and visible, and the performers will rehearse their movement with the interpreters. Above all, the shows will be true to the adventure as it has been created by Punchdrunk Enrichment!
