Olivier Award-winning family hit The Railway Children has announced it will hold a relaxed performance this summer.
Working closely with The National Autistic Society, the performance will be designed to benefit those with autism, sensory and communication disorders or a learning disability, with a series of special adjustments to the show and trained front-of-house staff on hand.
Changes to the show to make it as comfortable and approachable an environment as possible include adjustments to the sound and lighting levels, and sound and smoke effects.
Audience members will be free to leave and enter the auditorium throughout the show with a chill-out area in the foyer and all bookers will receive ‘Visual Stories’ – a detailed guide to the show’s content with photos in order to help prepare for the experience – in advance.
The Railway Children stars Sophie Ablett, Matt Jessup and Beth Lilly as the titular youngsters who find themselves uprooted to rural Yorkshire from their London home when their father is mysteriously taken away. There they befriend the local railway porter, Perks, and embark on a magical journey of discovery, friendship and adventure. But the mystery remains – where is Father, and is he ever coming back?
The hugely popular show has been playing at the specially created King’s Cross Theatre – complete with railway track and platform seating – since 2015, following its previous Olivier Award-winning run at the Waterloo Theatre.
The relaxed performance will take place on 22 June at 14:30 and is open for general sale. There will also be 250 seats sold for £15 each through Mousetrap Theatre Projects, which will be offered to all special secondary schools in Greater London.
Visit our Access page for a list of other relaxed performances planned in the coming months.