Embracing Access: A Journey into Unfolding Theatre's Night Classes

Vici Wreford-Sinnott - Access Dramaturg for Night Classes - shines a spotlight on development on the show and what audiences can expect when it premieres this week at Arc Stockton.

I was delighted to be invited by director Annie Rigby, whom I have admired for such a long time, to be the Access Dramaturg on this new production by Unfolding Theatre.

I’m fresh from attending my first full rehearsal with Unfolding Theatre’s Night Classes, a show co-written by Lisette Auton and Becci Sharrock, and I have lots of exciting things to share. I genuinely felt transported to another world altogether, leaving this world behind felt like a breath of fresh air. The show is about many things, including, learning and unlearning, endings and beginnings, old and new, and change. Definitely change.

The amazing artist Lady Kitt is set designer, and, although only partially installed at this early stage, I was really excited to enter Night Classes through a massive paper archway – no more spoilers though - you will love it! It is an immersive, interactive production—immediate disclaimer: nothing scary at all—you interact only on your terms. Sitting, watching, and reflecting are still interactions in this world.

Unfolding Theatre has long been a committed ally of disabled artists and audiences in creating positive, accessible experiences. I have watched with great enthusiasm as their work has expanded alongside Creative Associate EJ Raymond – a Deaf actor, writer & author, BSL adviser/promoter - who has developed North East Deaf Youth Theatre.

Image credit: Alex Dechbamrung

It’s been fascinating to explore the access journey of Night Classes with the company. It is non-traditional theatre made with the audience in mind. There is seating for those who need it, of course, but there is also an atmosphere of mixing and milling, helping yourself to chairs, benches, or bean bags as you need them, coming and going. But there is plenty to keep you gripped. The audience is intermittently on the move, encouraged to visit different stations by fantastic Night Classes guides Harrison, Alex, and EJ. There are fun things to do, beautiful things to see emerge, and moments of real contemplation.

So, as there is a lot going on, clarity and accessibility are at the forefront of all of our minds. As Access Dramaturg, I have brought my knowledge of equity and accessibility to the process, and we also have the brilliant EJ giving BSL advice and Sue Lee, the BSL interpreter from Becoming Visible, all tracking through access ideas. We’ve been discussing key positioning for interpretation for EJ as a performer and for the audience, and how to authentically give a spoken interpretation of EJ’s BSL without splitting the audience's focus.

As the space is informal, we have also talked extensively about giving audiences agency in the space – to know that their comfort, experience, and access are integral and that they have control over that. It could feel like a risk as we, as audience members, have been trained to behave in certain ways – to be quiet, not to move, and to ‘put up’ with things but at Night Classes you’re invited to do what you need to, even open crinkly sweet wrappers as long as you are quick and share the sweets.

Image credit: Alex Dechbamrung

There’s a video element at one point that has BSL, captions, and audio description. And speaking of audio description, supporting visually impaired audience members, we’ve been thinking about unique and bespoke ways to provide this too, both within the script and also with the wonderful Veronica Fyland

I’ve also tried to put myself in the audience's feet and wheels (I’m on wheels!) and to be their agent: advising the company on clear direction from the actors to the audience; clear explanations and instructions for moving around; allowing for the needs of others; giving time and support for practical activities; having plenty of seating available for those who need it; using elements of relaxed theatre and being really clear in advance about what audiences can expect from the experience. There is something beautifully allegorical about the audience working together in this world for one night. I wonder what will the moment it hits you be as you experience it…

As this is a new and unique experience, we are entering a learning process together, all of us,  – we’re putting in every possible access consideration we can at this stage, and we’ll reflect on it all with the help of our audiences who’re coming along on 20 and 21 March – and develop things further as we need to and learn more.

Come and be part of it – get yourselves enrolled. There is a link to tickets below and also a link to detailed access information.

If you need more access information, do ring, email or pop into ARC’s Box Office T: 01642 525199 E: box.office@arconline.co.uk Address: ARC 60 Dovecot Street, Stockton, TS18 1LL.

Night Classes will premiere at ARC Stockton on Wednesday 20th March & Thursday 21st March 2024. Book your Pay as You Want tickets here.