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Autistic panto and BSL performance announced at The Brindley

visitor economy 16/11/2021

Cinderella runs from 8 December until 9 January 2022

Halton Borough Council is presenting a specially adapted and relaxed performance of Cinderella and a performance of the much loved pantomime with British Sign Language this festive season, making it more inclusive and to be enjoyed by more people.

Many people with sensory disorders/learning difficulties miss out on the Christmas tradition because the conventional boisterous performances are often too loud and bright for them.

But “relaxed pantos” are less formal, featuring more subdued sounds and pyrotechnics effects which create a calmer mood.

Designed to welcome into the theatre people with an Autistic Spectrum Condition, learning disability or sensory and communication disorder, the relaxed performance aims to give those who otherwise might feel excluded the chance to experience live theatre, often for the first time.

Halton Borough Council's Executive Board Member for Culture and Leisure, Cllr Paul Nolan, said: "The relaxed performance creates a welcoming, less formal atmosphere to help reduce anxiety levels.

"Some of the loud, bright elements will be reduced and strobe lighting and pyrotechnics will be removed.

"Music levels will be minimised and there will be no sections of complete darkness. Audience members will be able to come and go as they please throughout the show."

The relaxed performance is on Thursday 30 December at 2.30pm.

For those people who want to experience the pantomime with British Sign Language, there is a performance on Wednesday 29 December at 5pm.

Presented by New Pantomime Productions Cinderella runs from 8 December until 9 January and stars X Factor’s Sam Callahan as Dandini, Brindley Panto favourites Rebecca Lake as Cinderella, Andrew Curphey as Buttons and Charlie Griffiths as the Baroness.

They will be joined by Harrison Scott-Smith as Prince Charming, Charlotte Dacia as the Fairy Godmother, Matt Dallen as Tess and Russ Evans as Claudia.

Tickets are from £18 from www.thebrindley.org.uk and the box office on 0151 907 8360. Groups 20 plus, uniformed groups and schools please contact the box office.