At special children's theatre show, focus is on the audience reaction
In 'relaxed theatre' performances for autistic children, those watching are encouraged to express themselves - even by walking out. Teachers and carers hail first such run in Hong Kong and say their charges got a lot out of it
A typical play review evaluates a production based on factors such as staging, acting and direction. But in reviewing the Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection’s staging of Merlin the Magician last week, I found myself paying more attention to the audience than the stage.
This wasn’t your typical play. It was one of four shows in Hong Kong’s first full run of a "relaxed theatre" performance, which modifies the theatre-going experience to suit young people with autism. Among its features are subdued lighting, quieter sound and a chill-out area outside the auditorium.
Judging by the enthusiastic response of the 200-strong crowd at Sai Wan Ho Civic Centre Theatre – which included autistic children and adults, their parents and special education teachers and practitioners – the play was a resounding success. Most of the audience was watching a relaxed performance for the first time.
“You could see that the kids really enjoyed the show and were engaged in the performance,” says Cymie Yeung, manager of arts accessibility from Arts with the Disabled Association Hong Kong, who was in the audience.
“It was a very good environment and atmosphere for autistic people to join and participate in theatre. In regular theatre shows, you’d have to follow all the rules.”
