Download What is Audio Description

Service Definitions
Highlighted areas would need clarifying depending on specific venue.
What is Audio Description?
Audio description in theatre is a live verbal commentary giving information on the visual
elements of a production as it unfolds.
During the quieter moments of a performance a describer tells you what is happening;
from actors’ facial expressions to movements across the stage, but only what is
essential for you to fully enjoy the show.
A description of the setting, costumes and a full touch tour of the set are also available
before the performance starts.
From dance to drama, there is a wide range of theatre made accessible through audio
description.
Who might benefit from Audio Description?
Audio Description is a great way for anyone who sometimes finds it difficult to see the details
of a performance to still enjoy coming to the theatre. You don’t have to be blind to make use
of audio description.
If you, or someone you know, use television audio description, a magnifier or large print
books at home then live audio description could enhance your theatre experience.
You can access the Audio Description from anywhere in the auditorium using personal
headphones that will be given to you when you arrive. Always let the Box Office know when
booking your ticket that you would like to use the audio description service.
Audio Described performances can be a great social event; a chance to share a theatre
outing with your friends and family. It’s also a way to meet partially sighted or blind people
who enjoy going to the theatre.
How is an audio description script prepared?
The Audio Describers we use are trained, freelance professionals.
Before the show:
Most descriptions are prepared by two describers working as a team. They watch a show,
study the script and/or score and, using a video or DVD of the production, and write their
description.
The description script they write for the live performance has to fit within the style of the
show. They work very hard to choose the right words to describe a visual moment. They
want to capture the how and not just the what:
John walks in.
John strolls in.
John strides in.
John creeps in.
The describers have to practice and edit what they’ve written to make sure they can say it in
the quiet spaces between moments of on-stage action. Timing is everything. It takes great
skill and isn’t easy, which you’ll know if you’ve ever tried to describe something yourself, like
a photograph.
Once the script has been prepared, they will do a "dry run"; a live rehearsal the night before.
They also prepare a description of the set, costumes, characters and style of the piece. This
information is recorded and sent out to bookers in advance of their visit. These introductory
notes are also read live 20 -15 minutes before the start of the show.
On the day:
A touch tour takes places before the show, usually about an hour before. This is led by the
describer(s) and gives those people who will be listening to the audio description a chance to
explore the set, costumes and, sometimes, meet some of the actors.
The describers then go to their description booth or room. They are set up with a microphone
system in a place where they can’t be seen by the audience but where they can see and
hear everything that is happening in the show.
Once the performance starts the description is transmitted into the auditorium using an infra
red/radio system, and picked up through a headset worn by the audience member who
wants to hear it.
Not all our shows are audio described.
Audio described performances are indicated in our brochure/fliers/what’s on
calendar by this symbol:
(a square speech bubble with the capital letters AD inside)
The next audio described performances at this theatre are:
………………………………………………………………………
What is Captioning?
Captioning is similar to television subtitling and gives deaf, deafened and hard of hearing
people access to live performances. Captioning converts the spoken word into text, which is
displayed on a caption unit, or units, situated on or next to the stage. As well as dialogue, the
captions also include the name of the character who is speaking or singing and descriptions
of any sound effects.
From musicals to who-done-its there is a wide range of theatre made accessible through
captioning.
Who might benefit from Captioning?
If you, or someone you know, use television subtitles at home then captioning could
enhance your theatre experience.
Captioning is a great way for anyone who sometimes finds it difficult to hear the actors
speaking to still enjoy coming to the theatre.
It may be that an audience member hears most things but struggles with certain voices,
accents or styles of speaking. Or you may need to see people’s faces to be able to follow a
conversation. Theatre captioning could help your enjoyment of live performance.
You can access captioning without the need for any additional aids but you should always
check with the box office when booking your ticket that you have a seat with a good clear
view of the caption unit.
Captioning can also benefit those people who are studying classic texts or looking to improve
their English.
Captioned performances can be a great social event and a way to meet deaf, deafened or
hard of hearing people who enjoy going to the theatre.
How does it work?
The Captioners we use are trained, freelance professionals.
Before the show:
A script is sent to the captioner as soon as it is available and they then format it using the
special STAGETEXT software. Captioners need between 40 and 50 hours’ preparation and
rehearsal time in order to format a script. The Captioner will see the live performance at the
start of their process and then work from a video of the show so that they can break up the
lines to match the way the actors speak. They will then come back and see the show once or
twice more to check for any changes and to make sure their timing really does match the live
action on the stage. The Captioner doesn’t want to give away the punch line to a joke before
the actor does. They also need to check for any changes.
Symbols are used to denote music or song lyrics and there are established conventions to let
you know important things like sound effects:
[ DOORBELL RINGS ]
[ DOOR SLAMS ]
On the day:
The captioner delivers the script live. During the performance they sit either at the back of the
auditorium or in the technical (lighting) box. Using a laptop connected to the caption unit(s)
they press a button to cue every single line. This way they can ensure they match the actors’
timing.
The unique STAGETEXT software also means that should the unthinkable happen and an
actor forgets a line then the Captioner can jump to anywhere in the script and pick up the
dialogue from there.
Not all our shows are captioned.
Captioned performances are indicated in our brochure/fliers/what’s on calendar
by this symbol:
(a square box with the capital letters CAP inside)
The next captioned performances at this theatre are:
………………………………………………………………………
If you have any questions about Audio Description or Captioning please contact
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