RNIB Connect

• S2 Ep1115: Vidar Hjardeng MBE - Chicago,AD Theatre Review

  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 the next of his regular audio described theatre reviews for 2025 This week we have the multi-award winning musical ‘Chicago’ as the current UK tour visited the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham with description by Professional Audio Describer Anne Hornsby. About ‘Chicago’ ‘CHICAGO’, the "sexiest musical ever" (Metro) is currently on it’s UK tour starring Strictly Come Dancing Professional Dancer and TV Star Janette Manrara (It Takes Two, Burn The Floor, Glee) as Roxie Hart, West End and TV star Brenda Edwards (Loose Women, Chicago, The X Factor) as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton and West End leading man Dan Burton (Gypsy, The Mousetrap, White Christmas) as Billy Flynn. With 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy® and thousands of standing ovations, ‘CHICAGO’ truly is “SUPERB” (Daily Telegraph). Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids. Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, ‘it’s sexy, sassy score with one show-stopping song after another includes “Razzle Dazzle”, “Cell Block Tango”, and “All That Jazz”. With 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy® and thousands of standing ovations, ‘CHICAGO’ truly is “SUPERB” (Daily Telegraph). For more about the UK tour of ‘Chicago’ along with dates and times of performances near you do visit - https://chicagothemusical.com/uk-tour/ (Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)

  --------  

  4:58
• Javier Rodriguez, Spain Blackout Story.

  On the 28th of April 2025, Spain was one of a couple of countries effected by a massive blackout/power cut. Jennifer Murray chats to visually impaired Javier Rodriguez to learn about his experience of the blackout and how it affected him. Image description: Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

  --------  

  7:35
• S2 Ep1115: Actor and RNIB Ambassador Victoria Smurfit on Playing Helena in Ghosts and Accessible Theatre Too

  After having attended the recent audio described performance of ‘Ghosts’ at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in London RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Actor and RNIB Ambassador Victoria Smurfit, who’s daughter is also visually impaired, to find out more about playing Helena in Gary Owen’s version of Henrik Ibsen’s ‘Ghosts’ and also about access to theatre for blind and partially sighted people.  Toby began by asking Victoria what the difference might be between the character Maud that Victoria plays in the Disney plus adaptation of ‘Rivals’ and Helena in ‘Ghosts’ or not.   Then to talking about the touch tour prior to the audio described performance of ‘Ghosts’ and what an added bonus it was for Toby and the other visually impaired theatre patrons to have Victoria and one of the other Actors on stage during the touch tour. With Toby expressing how important a touch tour is for him to get a real sense and feel of the set and space that Victoria and the rest of the cast are performing in.   Before a discussion about theatre access generally Toby asked Victoria whether she thinks about her daughter at all when performing, knowing that a show is being audio described for blind and partially sighted people and whether going to the theatre is something they both share together.  You will find more about access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people by visiting the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/community-connection-and-wellbeing/leisure/art-galleries-museums-and-theatres/ Image shows Victoria on the set of Ghosts, dressed in white and sat on a stylish brown leather sofa in front of a pale blue foggy background. Her hands are clasped over her knees and she is leaning forward and looking towards the camera.

  --------  

  14:19
• S2 Ep1113: Monumental Explores Edinburgh's Hidden Women

  Did you know there are more statues of animals in Edinbugh than Women?  Theatre company F-bomb have a new theatre show dedicated to women who made the city, including a visually impaired saint. Amelia learns more from writer and founder of Visually Impaired Creators Scotland (VICS) Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font. 

  --------  

  7:43
• East Lothian Messenger Talking News, Interview With Veronica Wallace.

  Would you like to learn all about East Lothian Messenger Talking News? Well, Jennifer Murray chats to Veronica Wallace to find out more. You can contact Veronica Wallace on either of the following phone numbers: Landline: 01368830363 Personal Mobile: 07879870232 Image description: Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font.

  --------  

  10:09

More Government podcasts

Trending Government podcasts

About RNIB Connect

RNIB Connect: Podcasts in Family