Newcastle Theatre Royal has announced Chris Jarvis as the host for its Relaxed Performance of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on 13 January.
Well-known for his work as a presenter on CBeebies, Chris will host the Relaxed Performance, which is specifically designed to welcome people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, learning disability or sensory and communication disorder into the theatre.
Chris said:
“I was absolutely delighted to be invited to host the Relaxed Performance up in Newcastle. These performances are such a wonderful idea and it’s a privilege to be part of such a great initiative, which opens up live theatre to a wider audience.”
And the TV presenter is no stranger to pantomime; he is currently starring as Muddles in Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs in Richmond, playing opposite American model and actress Jerry Hall.
Chris added: “I’ve been in panto a number of times over the years, which is where I met Newcastle Theatre Royal’s panto dame, Chris Hayward. We’ve been friends ever since, so I’m thrilled to be sharing a stage with him again in January.”
Chris will be in the foyer before the show to mingle with audience members and will introduce the Relaxed Performance. He will also lead a short question and answer session with cast principals once the show finishes.
This will be the second year that Newcastle Theatre Royal has run a relaxed performance of their pantomime. This specialist provision is designed to provide an opportunity for people who would otherwise find it difficult to go and see a show – for example people who make involuntary noise, or are likely to need to talk a lot, or move around. During a regular performance this can disturb the other audience members, and the show, but at a relaxed performance it’s expected that the auditorium will be noisy and a supportive atmosphere is created.
The show will have a less formal, more supportive atmosphere in order to reduce anxiety levels. Lighting and special effects will be slightly altered – including removing strobes and flashing lights and reducing very loud noises, however the content of the show will not be specifically changed so all the magic of pantomime is maintained.
Chief Executive, Philip Bernays, said: “We are very proud to be one of only a handful of theatres in the UK to offer these specialist performances and we are delighted that by doing so, we bring the best panto in the UK to hundreds of children, families and adults who might otherwise never experience its magic.”
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Relaxed Performance is on at Newcastle Theatre Royal on 13 January at 1pm. Tickets are sold out but future Relaxed Performances at Newcastle Theatre Royal include Shrek (24 March 2015 at 2pm) and Dick Whittington (12 January 2016 at 12pm) Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk
