The Big Feast: Access Guidance

24th August 2018
Hanley, Stoke on Trent.
Appetite Big Feast 2018

Welcome to The Big Feast!

Appetite’s aim is to make The Big Feast accessible to everyone. Here are some of the things we’ve put in place so far to help do this:

 

You can listen to an Audio Introduction to our Access Guidance page here.

 

Planning your visit

  • We can’t wait to welcome everyone back and are doing everything we can to make everyone feel safe. All The Big Feast performances will be taking place outdoors, in open areas of the City Centre to enable you to observe social distancing. We will have hand sanitiser stations at each performance space and you are welcome to continue wearing a face mask

 

  • Large print versions of the brochure are available: pick one up from New Vic Theatre; email askus@appetitestoke.co.uk and we’ll post one out or get one on the day from the Big Feast HQ (in Albion Sq)

 

  • A digital version of the brochure and map and schedule is available here

 

  • If it’s your first time, and you’d like to meet someone, have a tour or have some support in getting to and from the event take a look at our Supported Visits below

 

  • There will be a Big Feast HQ in a gazebo in Albion Sq where you can ask any questions, get directions or find out more about access provisions

 

  • On the day Big Feast zone signs and directional signage will help you find your way

 

  • There’ll be lots of Stewards throughout the event available for assistance and they will be able to contact a member of staff if you require further information

 

  • There will also be First Aiders and Security at the event so you’ll be in plenty of safe hands. If you require their assistance, please speak to a Steward

 

  • We put a Suggested Itinerary at the back of our brochure to help you plan your trip (further itineraries including a BSL/no text shows, family shows will be added here shortly)

 

Supported visits

  • For families who need a little bit of support with travel and lunch we are offering a VIP experience where we will arrange transport to and from the event and provide a family lunch for all who attend. We’ll say hello, provide Arts Award packs and say Goodbye at the end of the day and gather your feedback on what you’ve seen. If it’s your first time would like to be buddied up with someone, we also have a family itinerary or a host who could show you around until you feel more confident about your visit.

 

  • If you’re an adult and you’re attending for the first time, we know sometimes this can be overwhelming especially if you have felt lonely, isolated, are sometimes anxious or have longer-term mental health conditions. We can support your visit by saying hello and goodbye, and arranging a hosted visit around the site until you feel more confident about your visit.

 

  • For D/deaf visitors who would like to have a BSL led tour: we have organised a two-hour welcome tour led by Olivier Jamin, an award winning artist and D/deaf tour-leader.

 

To book on to any of our supported visits, please email: sammyb@appetitestoke.co.uk

 

Facilities

  • All performances are wheelchair accessible and viewing areas will be reserved for wheelchair users when we’re expecting large numbers

 

  • As The Big Feast takes place outdoors it is relaxed. You are free to come and go as you like and you don’t need to be quiet.

 

  • We have additional access support on individual shows including audio described and BSL interpreted performances. See below to find out more info or head to the Big Feast HQ for more details on the day

 

  • A number of benches and backed seats will be available in performance areas. Just ask a steward for one if you can’t see them

 

  • We’ve included a handy map in the brochure which also indicates an accessible route through the town and car parks which are all accessible which you can view here

 

  • Accessible toilets, Changing Places toilets and baby changing facilities are available at Hanley Indoor Market and Hanley Bus Station as indicated on the map

 

  • As some of our shows contain loud noises, noise cancelling headphones will be available from The Big Feast HQ

 

  • A pop-up Quiet Zone will be available at Smithfield (10 on the map) look out for the yurt!

 

 

Audio Description

A large number of this year’s performances will include live Audio Description. To use audio description, simply head to The Big Feast HQ gazebo in Albion Sq and ask for a kit. A steward or team member will then accompany you to your chosen performance and introduce you to the Audio Describer who will provide instructions on how to participate. You’ll need to make sure to hand the kit back to the steward when you have finished.

We will also have pre-recorded Audio Introductions for several shows too. Check out the individual show pages to listen to these.

The performances that include live Audio Description are:

 

Fri 27 Aug

My House – 10.30am

The Tide – 11.40am

Forbidden Identity – 12.30pm

Roll Play – 1.05pm

Trolls Kitchen – 1.45pm

The Tide – 2.55pm

Forbidden Identity – 3.45pm

Roll Play – 4.20pm

Disco Tea Party – 6.00pm

 

Sat 28 Aug

My House – 10.30am

Lifted – 11.40am

Roll Play – 12.30pm

Forbidden Identity – 1.15pm

Trolls Kitchen – 1.45pm

Lifted – 3.00pm

Roll Play – 3.50pm

Forbidden Identity – 4.35pm

Handbag – 5.05pm

 

BSL interpreted performances

We will have BSL interpretation on the following performances:

Fri 27 Aug

Common People – 11:00

Trolls Kitchen – 1.45pm

Common People – 15:00

Disco Tea Party – 18:00

 

Sat 28 Aug

Common People – 11:00

Trolls Kitchen – 1.45pm

Common People – 15:00

 

The majority of the other performances in The Big Feast programme do not contain any spoken word.

 

About our performers

Common People by Odd Socks is performed by Shaun Fallows. Shaun is a poetry powerhouse, disabled activist and wheelchair user, born with cerebral palsy, and with a firm believer that his disability has given more than it has taken  away. As seen on Channel 5 and heard on BBC Radio.

Forbidden Identity is performed by Billy Read. Billy Read is a profoundly deaf street dancer, collaborating with Ariel Fung from Hang Kong and Ben Randall. Together they create amazing street dance, using tutting, mime and sign language.

 

 

Still got some queries? You can ask us any other questions in advance by emailing askus@appetitestoke.co.uk or calling 07951 357389.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Big Feast 2021!

 

About The Big Feast 

We are so proud to bring you the next serving of The Big Feast! Join us on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 August as we showcase the very best local and national talent in Stoke-on-Trent City Centre (Hanley)!

Appetite is an Arts Council England-funded Creative People and Places programme, led by New Vic Theatre in partnership with Partners in Creative Learning, 6Towns Radio, Staffordshire University, Newcastle BID (Business Improvement District), Keele University and Go Kidsgrove.
                   

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