The Royal Canadian Theatre Company is proud to offer Relaxed Performances
Relaxed Performances are offered for everyone. Patrons who benefit most are neurodivergent individuals, those with Intellectual, Learning & Communication needs, those with Sensory challenges, children, mothers with babes in arms, and students.
It is difficult to strike a balance between making live theatre accessible to all and still being sensitive to the issue of potentially disturbing other audience members. Unfortunately, this results in members of our community not being able to attend live theatre.
We are proud to offer a solution.
In order to make theatre available to all, The Royal Canadian Theatre Company is proud to present Relaxed Performances on select dates. These are sometimes called “sensory friendly performances” and are specifically designed to make theatre welcoming for audience members on the autism spectrum, or those with sensory, communication or other intellectual challenges.
What to Expect for All Relaxed Performances:
- There are NO changes to the show.
- Tickets are half price – $18.75 to accommodate any aids
- Exiting and entering the auditorium is allowed at any time.
- Auditorium lights are never fully turned off.
- American Sign Language Interpretation is offered.
- If you’d like to benefit from the ASL interpretation, we recommend being on the right side of the audience, close to the front.
For Our Pantomime Relaxed Performance:
- Sound and lighting cues are adjusted to be less intense.
- Audience noise, movement and even the use of phones or other “fidget devices” are tolerated.
- There will be a pre-performance explanation by the cast. This will introduce any special effects, scary characters and weaponry.
Upcoming Relaxed Performances
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| Anvil Theatre | |
| SAT OCT 3 | 7:30pm* |
| TUE DEC 22 | 6:30pm* |
| SAT JAN 2 | 6:30pm* |
| Anvil Theatre | |
| SAT MAR 20 | 7:30pm* |
| *ASL interpretation included | |
Since being pioneered by Polka Theatre, a children’s theatre in London, in 2009, relaxed performances have spread around Britain, to the United States and have since arrived in Canada. RCTC originally partnered with the City of Surrey in 2017 to be the leaders in Surrey for this wonderful initiative.
After our successful debut with the first ever Relaxed Performance at the Surrey Arts Centre in 2017 we are committed to continue to offer this exiting option for future plays. In addition, we were able to welcome the Mayday Youth Choir For Neurodiversity to perform with us for the first time in 2018.
You are welcome to use the “Contact Us” page if you would like more information about “Relaxed Performances” OR, just click on the venue link above to find out about tickets, group discounts and special offers.