Welcome to The Big Feast!
Appetite wants to make The Big Feast accessible to everyone. Here are some of the things we’ve put in place:
Still got some queries after viewing our page? You can ask us any other questions in advance by emailing askus@appetite.org.uk or calling 01782 381373
See our BSL introduction to the Big Feast 2022 below:
Planning your visit
- A digital version of the brochure and map and schedule is available here
- You can listen to audio described versions of the brochure. Listen to Section 1 – Welcome, and What is the Big Feast- August 2022, Section 2 – Access and Audio description August 2022, Section 3 – Schedule Fri – 26th Aug 2022 and Section 4 – Schedule 27th August 2022.
- A Large print versions of the brochure will be available from the New Vic Theatre to pick up, on the day at the Big Feast HQ, or email us as askus@appetite.org.uk and we will post you one.
- There will be a Big Feast HQ in a gazebo located on the grass near Hanley Town Hall, head here to get directions or find out more about access provisions.
- 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 any of our Stewards.
- There’ll be Access Stewards in green T-shirts throughout the event available for assistance. Or Event Stewards in blue T-shirts will also be able to provide information and locate an Access Steward should you need one.
- You can read our Big Feast ’22 Easy Read Visual Story here
- Can’t make this year’s Big Feast? Don’t worry – we’ve got you! See livestreams of some of the outstanding performances from the day over on our Facebook page. On Friday, check out The Kings of Bhangra at 2.30pm. on Saturday, see The Lost Opera at 12.30pm and Frock at 4pm. Keep a look for more live content and interviews with artists too!
- There will be professional event photography and filming taking place during The Big Feast to help capture and promote the event with partners. If for any reason you don’t want to appear in official event photography or film, please notify a member of the crew immediately. Our events take place in public spaces and are attended by many who will take photos. We are not in control of all photography or filming at the event, only official event photographers.
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
- Accessible toilets and baby changing facilities are available at Hanley Indoor Market, Hanley Library, Hanley Bus Station, Potteries Centre and Tesco Extra. Changing Places toilets are available at Hanley Indoor Market and Smithfield 1.
- As some of our shows contain loud noises, noise cancelling headphones will be available from The Big Feast HQ
- Parking is located at the Tesco Extra, John Street and Birch Terrace
- We have Quiet and Resting spaces located at Smithfield and The Potteries Centre (entrance opposite TK Max Lamb Street/Stafford Street)
- Look out for the access icons on the event A-boards.
Big Feast Event Pages
Each performance has it’s own event page that will include the following if available/relevant:
- Easy Read documents
- Visual Story
- Audio Description
- Trigger warnings
- If a Touch Tour is available
You can see the event pages here
Audio Described performances
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 outside Hanley Town Hall or the show being audio described, and ask for a kit. An Access Steward 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.
The performances that include live Audio Description are:
Fri 26 Aug
Black Victorians – 11am to 11.30am at Hanley Town Hall (map pin: 8)
Black Victorians – 1.45pm to 2.15pm at Hanley Town Hall (map pin: 8)
SEED – 3pm to 3.35pm at Fountain Square, opposite Specsavers (map pin: 3)
Castaway – 3.30pm at Smithfield (map pin: 13)
Power – 4pm to 4.30pm at Hanley Town Hall (map pin: 8)
Bonded – 4.30pm to 5pm at Albion Square (map pin: 6)
Sat 27 Aug
Bonded – 12pm to 12.30pm at Albion Square (map pin: 6)
Dizzy O’Dare KIDS Cabaret of Curiosities – 1pm to 2pm (map pin: 12)
Explorers – 2pm to 2.30pm at Smithfield (map pin: 13)
Bonded – 3pm to 3.30pm at Albion Square (map pin: 6)
Frock – 4pm to 4.25pm at Hanley Town Hall (map pin: 8)
Dizzy O’Dare After Hours Cabaret of Curiosities – 8pm to 9.45pm (map pin: 12)
BSL interpreted performances
We will have BSL interpretation on the following performances:
Fri 26 Aug
Black Victorians – 11am to 11.30am at Hanley Town Hall (map pin: 8)
Black Victorians – 1.45pm to 2.15pm at Hanley Town Hall (map pin: 8)
SEED – 3pm to 3.35pm at Fountain Square, opposite Specsavers (map pin: 3)
Castaway – 3.30pm to 4pm at Smithfield (map pin: 13)
Power – 4pm to 4.30pm at Hanley Town Hall (map pin: 8)
Sat 27 Aug
Dizzy O’Dare KIDS Cabaret of Curiosities – 1pm to 2pm (map pin: 12)
Explorers – 2pm to 2.30pm at Smithfield (map pin: 13)
Dizzy O’Dare After Hours Cabaret of Curiosities – 8pm to 9.45pm (map pin: 12)
The majority of the other performances in The Big Feast programme do not contain any spoken word.
