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.
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.
Upcoming events
Leeds Playhouse, Romeo & Juliet
Wednesday 18 – Saturday 21 June 2025
Audio Description: Saturday 21 June at 2pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 21 June at 11.45am – 1pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Leeds Playhouse’s Box Office on 0113 213 7700.
Leeds Grand Theatre, Merlin
Saturday 13 – Saturday 20 September 2025
Audio Description: Saturday 20 September at 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 20 September at 12.15 – 1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Leeds Grand Theatre's access line on 0113 205 3899.
Nottingham Theatre Royal, Merlin
Wednesday 15 – Saturday 18 October 2025
Audio Description: Saturday 18 October at 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 18 October at 12.15 – 1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Nottingham Theatre Royal’s Box Office on 0115 989 5555.
Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, Merlin
Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 November 2025
Audio Description: Saturday 8 November at 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 8 November at 12.15 – 1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Sheffield Lyceum’s access line on 0114 249 6000.
Norwich Theatre Royal, Merlin
Wednesday 12 – Saturday 15 November 2025
Audio Description: Saturday 15 November at 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 15 November at 12.15 – 1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Norwich Theatre Royal’s Box Office on 01603 630 000.
Leeds Grand Theatre, The Nutcracker
Thursday 18 December 2025- Sunday 4 January 2026
Audio Description: Saturday 3 January 2026 at 2pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 3 January 2026 at 11.45 – 1.00pm
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.'
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Images on this page by Emily Nuttall, Colleen Mair and Emma Kaulkdhar.
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