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.
15 minutes prior to the performance, you will hear pre-show notes which describe the set, props and costumes via your headset or audio description device.
Upcoming events
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will be offering visually impaired patrons access to a free Insight Talk in place of a traditional Touch Tour during the Spring 2022 tour. For the Autumn 2022 tour we plan to deliver the full Touch Tour experience.
Insight Talks and Touch Tours are free of charge and can be booked at the same time as the audio described performance at your chosen venue. The talk will introduce elements of the production to aid your understanding of the show, providing an insight into the ballet as you hear descriptions of the scenery as well as have the opportunity to see and feel some of the costumes.
Our listings below let you know where and when our Audio Described performances, Insight Talks and Touch Tours will be taking place.
Audio Descriptions, Insight Talks and Touch Tours are subject to Government and industry guidance to provide Covid safe experiences for audiences and staff.
Milton Keynes Theatre, The Great Gatsby
Tuesday 24 - Saturday 28 May
Audio Description: Saturday 28 May, 2.30pm
Insight Talk: Saturday 28 May, 12.30-1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Milton Keynes Theatre’s access line on 0800 912 6971
Cardiff New Theatre, The Great Gatsby
Tuesday 7 - Saturday 11 June
Audio Description: Saturday 11 June, 2.30pm
Insight Talk: Saturday 11 June, 12.30-1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Cardiff New Theatre's Box Office on 0343 310 0041
Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, The Little Mermaid
Thursday 22 - Saturday 24 September
Audio Description: Saturday 24 September, 2.00pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 24 September, 11.45am-1.00pm
On sale soon. For further information, please call Sheffield Lyceum Theatre's Box Office on 0114 249 6000. You can also email access@sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.
Belfast Grand Opera House, The Little Mermaid
Wednesday 12 - Saturday 15 October
Audio Description: Saturday 15 October, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 15 October, 12.15-1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Belfast Grand Opera House's Box Office on 028 9024 1919
Southampton Mayflower, The Little Mermaid
Thursday 20 - Saturday 22 October
Audio Description: Saturday 22 October, 2.00pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 22 October, 11.45am-1.00pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Southampton Mayflower's access line on 02380 711813
Newcastle Theatre Royal, The Little Mermaid
Tuesday 25 - Saturday 29 October
Audio Description: Saturday 29 October, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 29 October, 12.00-1.15pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Newcastle Theatre Royal's Box Office on 0191 232 7010
Woking New Victoria Theatre, The Nutcracker
Thursday 10 - Saturday 12 November
Audio Description: Saturday 12 November, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 12 November, 12.15-1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Woking New Victoria Theatre's access line on 0800 912 6971
Nottingham Theatre Royal, The Nutcracker
Wednesday 16 - Saturday 19 November
Audio Description: Saturday 19 November, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 19 November, 12.15-1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Nottingham Theatre Royal's Box Office on 0115 989 5555 and select option 5 to speak with a member of the Access Team. You can also contact them via email at trch.access@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.
Norwich Theatre Royal, The Nutcracker
Tuesday 22 - Saturday 26 November
Audio Description: Saturday 26 November, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 26 November, 12.15-1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Norwich Theatre Royal's Box Office on 01603 630000
Hull New Theatre, The Nutcracker
Wednesday 30 November - Saturday 3 December
Audio Description: Saturday 3 December, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 3 December, 12.15-1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Hull New Theatre's Box Office on 01482 300 306 and select option 7.
Leeds Grand Theatre, The Nutcracker
Tuesday 20 December 2022 - Saturday 7 January 2023
Audio Description: Saturday 31 December, 2.00pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 31 December, 11.45am-1.00pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Leeds Grand Theatre's access line on 0113 205 3899
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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Header image from For An Instant, taken by Emily Nuttall.
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