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
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Romeo & Juliet
Thursday 19 – Saturday 28 September 2024
Audio Description: Thursday 26 and Saturday 28 September, 1.15pm
Touch Tour: Thursday 26 and Saturday 28 September, 11am - 12:15pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Royal Shakespeare Theatre's box office on 01789 331 111.
Southampton Mayflower, Romeo & Juliet
Thursday 3 – Saturday 5 October 2024
Audio Description: Saturday 5 October, 2.00pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 5 October, 11.45am - 1pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Southampton Mayflower's access line on 02380 711813.
Newcastle Theatre Royal, Romeo & Juliet
Wednesday 23 – Saturday 26 October 2024
Audio Description: Saturday 26 October, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 26 October, 12.15 - 1.30pm
To book tickets or for more information, please call Newcastle Theatre Royal's access line on 0191 5946619 or email access@theatreroyal.co.uk.
Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, A Christmas Carol
Thursday 7 – Saturday 9 November 2024
Audio Description: Saturday 9 November, 2.00pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 9 November, 11.45am - 1pm
To book tickets or for more information, please call Sheffield Lyceum Theatre's access line on 0114 249 6000 or email access@sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.
Hull New Theatre, A Christmas Carol
Tuesday 12 – Saturday 16 November 2024
Audio Description: Saturday 16 November, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 16 November, 12.15 - 1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Hull New Theatre's box office on 01482 300 306.
Norwich Theatre Royal, A Christmas Carol
Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 November 2024
Audio Description: Saturday 23 November, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 23 November, 12.15 - 1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Norwich Theatre Royal's box office on 01603 630 000.
Nottingham Theatre Royal, A Christmas Carol
Tuesday 26 – Saturday 30 November 2024
Audio Description: Saturday 30 November, 2.30pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 30 November, 12.15 - 1.30pm
To book tickets or for further information, please call Nottingham Theatre Royal's box office on 0115 989 5555 or email trch.boxoffice@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.
Leeds Grand Theatre, A Christmas Carol
Tuesday 17 December 2024 – Saturday 4 January 2025
Audio Description: Saturday 28 December, 2.00pm
Touch Tour: Saturday 28 December, 11.45am - 1pm
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.'
Audio description supported by
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Header image from rehearsals of The Nutcracker, taken by Emily Nuttall.