RNIB Connect

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for another audio described theatre review.
We have a musical comedy made from the finest ingredients this week as the current tour of ‘Waitress’ visited the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre with description by Professional Audio Describer Nicola Williams. 
About ‘Waitress’
The five-star musical returns, starring Carrie Hope Fletcher
“Treat yourself to a slice of five-star musical pie” (The Times) with Carrie Hope Fletcher (Calamity Jane, Heathers, The Addams Family) as Jenna and Les Dennis as Old Joe for one week only! They’ll be joined by Sandra Marvin as Becky and Evelyn Hoskins as Dawn.
Meet Jenna, a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of some happiness in her life. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness.
Brought to life by a ground-breaking, female-led creative team, this ‘warm, witty, wise and hilarious’ (Express) hit features ‘one of the best scores in years’ (The Stage) by the Grammy award-winning Sara Bareilles (Love Song, Brave) a book by acclaimed screenwriter Jessie Nelson (I Am Sam) and direction by Tony® Award-winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Finding Neverland).
Having received standing ovations night after night in London’s West End and on Broadway, Waitress is ‘the real deal’ (Independent) musical comedy’.
For more about the current tour of ‘Waitress’ and details of performances near you do visit the production website - https://waitressthemusical.co.uk

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Have you ever thought of joining and singing in a choir as a blind or partially sighted person but wondered how accommodating the choir might be for you as a visually impaired singer?
Well, RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey recently caught up with blind Author and Broadcaster Selina Mills along with Jack Apperley, Conductor of the Goldsmiths Choral Union, as the choir were rehearsing for their up-coming ‘Poetry in Motion’ concert at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street, London on Tuesday 16 June at 7.30pm featuring work by blind Jazz Composer George Shearing to find out how things have been for Selina singing with the choir and for Jack what it has been like working with a visually impaired singer too. 
To find out more about the Goldsmiths Choral Union and the ‘Poetry in Motion’ concert at Holy Trinity Church, Sloane Street, London, Tuesday 16 June at 7.30pm do visit the choir’s website - https://www.goldsmithschoralunion.org
(Image shows a black and white photograph of the Goldsmiths Choral Union on stage with orchestra and Conductor Jack standing and facing out towards the audience)

Now for the next in our regular slots here on RNIB Connect Radio highlighting what is on offer at the National Theatre in London for blind and partially sighted people with audio description.
RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey was joined again by David Bellwood, Head of Access at the National Theatre to chat about a few up-coming audio described shows at the NT and a couple that are available online with audio description via NT at home.
Audio described performances included: 
‘Pride’ - Saturday 18 July, 2pm, touch tour 12noon and Friday 7 August, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Dorfman Theatre
‘Electra/Persona’ - Saturday 12 September 1pm, touch tour 11am and Thursday 8 October 7pm, touch tour 5pm, National Theatre’s Lyttelton Theatre
‘The Story’ - Saturday 19 September 2.30pm, touch tour 12.30pm and Friday 2 October 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, National Theatre’s Olivier Theatre
From NT at home with audio description David recommended ‘Oklahoma’ and ‘The Audience’.
To find out more about the National Theatre’s audio description offer and services for blind and partially sighted people do either call the NT on 020 7452 3961 or visit the NT website - https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
And for more about NT at home and to view many theatre productions online with audio description do visit - https://www.ntathome.com
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Vision Norfolk's gardening group meets regularly to enjoy gardening and social activities in a supportive, accessible environment.
Amelia learned more from Mark Smith...
Learn more on the Vision Norfolk website - Gardening - Vision Norfolk
Get in touch with Mark by phoning 01603 573000 (extension 341)
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What is like to go to a music festival as a visually impaired person? Amelia spoke to Lindsey Leitch about her experiences.
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