Relaxed Performances: "The opposite of the quiet carriage on a train"

If you have a family member or care for someone who makes involuntary noise, is likely to talk a lot, needs to move around, or gets disturbed by sudden loud noises you may think that going to the theatre isn’t for you. After all, theatres are usually seen as places where you need to keep quiet and sit still during a performance. A Relaxed Performance may be the answer, making it possible for you to have an enjoyable trip to the theatre without fear that other audience members will complain and make the experience potentially awkward and stressful.

Exeter-based Theatre Alibi start the ball rolling with the first of a string of Relaxed Performances in Devon over the next few months – of Michael Morpurgo’s spellbinding 'I Believe in Unicorns'. Often described as "The opposite of the quiet carriage on a train" a Relaxed Performance offers an informal environment that may benefit people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, sensory or communication disorder or learning disability.

All bookers will be sent a visual story (pictures and information about the show) so you’ll know what’s going to happen in advance, be offered a pre-show introduction by the performers and also be able to look at the inside of the theatre and find out in advance what to expect there. If you need to leave the theatre at any point there will be a quiet place to go.

Theatre Alibi’s Relaxed Performance of 'I Believe in Unicorns' is at Exeter Phoenix on Sunday 17 November at 11.30am, is an hour long and tells a wonderful story, features a four-strong cast, an intriguing set inspired by paper sculpture, amazing puppetry and live music.

Primarily aimed at 5-11 year olds, I Believe in Unicorns can also be enjoyed by older young people and adults. Theatre Alibi and Exeter Phoenix are working closely together to present the performance. 

Families all over the country have welcomed Relaxed Performances enthusiastically, evidenced by the recent national Relaxed Performance Project. One parent commented “Families like ours are usually swimming against the tide. Today we were the tide!” While another commented, “Relaxed performances are the only way our family can go out together”.

Following Theatre Alibi’s show there are Relaxed Performances of 'Quirk' and Exeter Phoenix’s 'Treasure Island' on Wednesday 18 December at 1pm, of Tall Stories’ 'The Extraordinary Adventures of  Mr Benn' at Exeter Northcott Theatre on Friday 3 January at 11am and of Theatre Royal Plymouth’s  'Robin Hood' on Thursday 23 January at 1.30pm.

If you'd like information to be sent to you about Relaxed Performances please email info@theatrealibi.co.uk