Introduction
We welcome all visitors to Sydney Festival events and are committed to making the festival a safe and accessible space for everyone.
We would like to thank the members of the Sydney Festival Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel for their expert advice and advocacy:
Coral Arnold
Julie Jones
Greg Killeen
Vanessa Lucas
Naomi Malone
Paul Nunnari
Morwenna Collett
Liz Martin
Rob Lang
Dan Graham
Lisa Jackson Pulver
Sydney Festival is a proud supporter of the Sunflower Hidden Disability Initiative. Some disabilities, conditions or chronic illnesses are not immediately obvious to others. For some people, this can make it hard to understand and believe that someone, with a “non-visible” condition genuinely needs support. Some people question whether you have a disability because you don’t look ‘like you have a disability".
The Hidden Disability Sunflower is a simple tool for you to share that you have a hidden disability voluntarily. Simply by wearing the Sunflower, you’re just letting everyone know that you might need extra help, understanding, or just more time.
To collect your free Hidden Disability Sunflower, please visit the Moonshine Bar or Seymour Centre Box Office between 5 - 28 January 2024.
Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022 - 2024
Our
Disability Inclusion Action Plan highlights our work to date and outlines our approach for further improving accessibility and inclusion for people with disability across all aspects of our festival.
It reinforces and focuses our work to ensure we include and represent people with disability – as artists, audiences, staff, partners, donors and other stakeholders.
We want all members of the community to have the opportunity to experience our festival and this plan acts as our Roadmap to how to we will continue to work towards this over the next three years.
Read our Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022 - 2024 in the following formats:
View PDFView Word.doc
Accessible Festival Guide
The 2024 Sydney Festival preview guide is available in the following formats:
Vision
AUDIO DESCRIPTION
Audio description is a service provided for patrons who are blind or have low vision. Audio describers give live, verbal descriptions of actions, costumes, scenery, and other visual elements of a performance. This is done during gaps in the dialogue via a small earpiece, provided to patrons pre-show. The audio description begins 10 minutes prior to the performance and provides program details together with descriptions of costumes and stage settings. Patrons must book the service in advance and pick up a free FM headset on arrival.
Audio Described performance Sunday 7 January 1pm
Hi-VisAudio description and tactile tour on
Saturday 13 January 1.30pm
Audio Described performance Sunday 14 January 1pm
Audio Described performance Friday 19 January 7pm
Audio Described performance Sunday 21 January 1pm
TACTILE TOURS
Tactile tours allow patrons who are blind or have low vision to have a hands-on experience. Depending on the production/installation, patrons are given access to costumes, props and stage set in order to capture the atmosphere of the work. Tactile tours occur before the performance. Patrons must book in advance.
Audio description during show, tactile tour commences prior to show on Sunday 7 January 12pm
Hi-VisAudio description and tactile tour on
Saturday 13 January 1.30pm
Audio description during show, tactile tour commences prior to show on Sunday 14 January 12pm
Audio description during show, tactile tour commences prior to show on Friday 19 January 6pm
Audio description during show, tactile tour commences prior to show on Sunday 21 January 12pm
AUDITORY CONTENT
Shows with this symbol indicate which shows are highly auditory and have low visual content, which can aid people who are blind or have low vision to decide whether they can access a show.
ASSISTANCE ANIMALS
Assistance animals are welcome at all Festival events and venues, bookings are essential. If you are blind or have low vision and want to attend an event at Sydney Festival, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT can provide you with free training on how to travel safely from any location to your event at the Festival. Call 1800 804 805 to discuss your travel needs.
Hearing
AUSLAN INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE
Auslan interpreted performances are for audiences who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing and use Australian Sign Language (Auslan).
Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and interpret dialogue and any text into Auslan, signing live. Audiences requiring this service are seated in the section closest to the interpreter to ensure good sightlines.
Big Name, No Blankets
Auslan interpreted performance Sunday 14 January 11.30am [Auslan Interpreted trailer]
Ode to Joy (How Gordon Got to Go to the Nasty Pig Party)
Auslan interpreted performance Sunday 21 January 6pm [Auslan Interpreted trailer]
Vigil: The Future
Auslan interpreted performance Thursday 25 January 8.30pm [Auslan interpreted trailer]
Smashed: The Nightcap
Auslan interpreted performance Saturday 27 January 7pm [Auslan interpreted trailer]
Masterclass
Auslan interpreted performance Monday 15 January at 6.30pm [Auslan interpreted trailer]
SPIN
Auslan friendly - show run by d/Deaf hosts. Wednesday 17 January - Monday 22 January [Auslan Interpreted trailer]
CAPTIONING
For people who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing, theatre captioning is an accurate text display of a theatre performance in its entirety, including actors’ dialogue, ad libs, song lyrics, musical descriptions and other sound effects.
Closed captioning is available on all AT HOME videos.
BANANALAND
Captioned performance Tuesday 9 January 7.30pm
SURTITLES
Il Tabarro
Surtitles available on performances at Tuesday 9 January 8.30pm, Wednesday 10 January 8.30pm, Friday 11 January 8.30pm and Saturday 12 January 8.30pm.
Orpheus & Eurydice
Surtitles available on performances Friday 5 January 7.30pm, Tuesday 16 January 7.30pm, Thursday 18 January 7.30pm, Saturday 20 January 7.30pm, Tuesday 23 January 7.30pm, Thursday 25 January 7.30pm and Saturday 27 January 7.30pm.
ASSISTIVE LISTENING
The Assistive Listening Systems symbol indicates which venues provide hearing augmentation and amplification. Ensure you inform us when booking so you can be seated in the relevant area of the theatre.
Assistive listening systems / hearing loops available at:
VISUAL CONTENT
A guide for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
100% visual content. Contains no music or dialogue.
75% visual content. Fully captioned or has minimal dialogue, some background music and/or sounds.
Sensory Friendly
RELAXED
Designed for patrons with disability and their families or anyone who may benefit from a more relaxed environment (this may include people with a learning or physical disability, autistic spectrum condition or sensory sensitivities). Relaxed performances usually have slight modifications to sound and lighting, support aids and an open-door policy with a dedicated quiet area.
Hi-Vis
Relaxed sessions every day from Friday 5 January to Sunday 28 January from 3pm-4pm daily
READ VISUAL STORY
A Bucket of Beetles
Relaxed performance on Thursday 11 January 2.30pm
READ VISUAL STORY
BANANALAND
Relaxed matinee performance on Saturday 13 January 2pm
READ VISUAL STORY
Camp Culture
Relaxed performance on Saturday 13 January 12.30pm
READ VISUAL STORY
The King of Taking
Relaxed performance on Sunday 14 January 12pm
READ VISUAL STORY
SPIN
Relaxed performance on Thursday 18 January 1pm and Saturday 20 January 1pm
READ VISUAL STORY
GURR ERA OP
Relaxed performance on Thursday 18 January 7pm
READ VISUAL STORY
White Gold
Relaxed performance on Friday 19 January 6pm
READ VISUAL STORY
Mobility
Sydney Festival ensures that its venues are as physically accessible as possible.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
The wheelchair symbol indicates the venue/location is wheelchair accessible or has been made accessible for Sydney Festival. Designated wheelchair spaces (where available) will be sold at the lowest full price in the house for that performance. For access information on specific venues visit sydneyfestival.org.au/venues.
Booking
Bookings are essential for all accessible services.
Bookings for Auslan-interpreted and captioned performances can be made online by selecting seats marked ‘Auslan-interpeted’ or ‘captioned’. Bookings for tactile tours & headsets for audio described performances can be made via contacting our customer service team.
We encourage booking tickets prior to Friday 16 December. Seats cannot be guaranteed after this date although we will always do your best to accommodate our request.
To discuss your access requirements, make bookings or give us feedback call 02 8248 6500 or email access@sydneyfestival.org.au
Companion Card
Sydney Festival supports the Companion Card program.
Companion Card holders qualify for a second ticket at no cost for their companion. Please contact Sydney Festival directly on 02 8248 6500 to assist with your booking.
Get In Touch
Your feedback helps us continue to improve our access program and services.
Please get in touch with us on 02 8248 6500 or access@sydneyfestival.org.au if you have any queries or suggestions regarding accessibility at Sydney Festival.
