Co-written by former Northern Ballet Premier Dancer Pippa Moore MBE and VocalEyes, our audio descriptions offer a unique insight into our productions and bring our performances to life.
You will hear descriptions of the movement, action and drama on stage with music played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia.
Audio Description ticket holders are encouraged to take part in our free Touch Tour Insight Workshops, taking place before our Audio Described performances. These workshops introduce elements of the production to aid your understanding of the show. You will hear descriptions of the scenery, feel the props and costumes and discover the shapes and quality of the movement from the ballet with the aid of Pippa and Company dancers.
Our listings below let you know where and when Audio Described performances will be taking place and includes the information in audio format.
Please note that the timings for the Touch Tour Insight Workshops vary by venue. In addition to the Touch Tour Insight Workshop you can hear pre-show notes which describe the set, props and costumes via your headset or audio description device, beginning 15 minutes prior to the performance.
Audio Descriptions and Touch Tour Insight Workshops are subject to Government and industry guidance to provide Covid safe experiences for audiences and staff.
Upcoming events
Nottingham Theatre Royal, Beauty & the Beast
Wednesday 4 October – Saturday 7 October
Audio Description: Saturday 7 October, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 7 October, 12.15-1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Nottingham Theatre Royal's access line on 0115 989 5555.
Newcastle Theatre Royal, Beauty & the Beast
Tuesday 7 November – Saturday 11 November
Audio Description: Saturday 11 November, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 11 November, 12.15-1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Newcastle Theatre Royal's access line on 0191 594 6619.
Norwich Theatre Royal, Beauty & the Beast
Tuesday 21 November – Saturday 25 November
Audio Description: Saturday 25 November, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 25 November, 12.15-1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Norwich Theatre Royal's access line on 01603 630 000.
Leeds Grand Theatre, The Nutcracker
Wednesday 29 November – Sunday 10 December
Audio Description: Saturday 2 December, 2pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 2 December, 11.45am-1pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Leeds Grand Theatre's access line on 0113 205 3899.
We will have Audio Described performances of Romeo & Juliet at Leeds, Sheffield, Nottingham, Norwich, and Sadler's Wells.
Visually Impaired Patron
'I used to go and see dance companies regularly before losing a lot of my eyesight. I did not think I would be able to go to any dance performances ever again… A friend encouraged me to go to an audio-visual performance and touch tour and your ballet was my first experience of this… it made such a positive difference and I will be returning to see further dance performances. Thank you Northern Ballet for such a good touch tour.'
Visually Impaired Patron
'I didn’t know what to expect but the music and description gelled really well together. I was enthralled with it — it was as if everything else around you didn’t exist.'
Audio description supported by
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Header image from rehearsals of The Nutcracker, taken by Emily Nuttall.