RNIB Connect

The latest winner of ITV’s ‘The Voice’ Cate McHugh, has been telling Hywel Davies how it felt to win the competition, what it was like to work with Tom Jones and why she’s encouraging other blind and partially sighted people to ‘make themselves big, and make themselves loud!’.

Debbie Miller is RNIB’s Chief Operations Officer and she’s been talking to RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell.

This week Debbie talks about some exciting news from the Disney series Rivals, Talking Books anniversary and awards for volunteer managers.

If you, or someone you know, would like information on the support and services available from RNIB, go to www.rnib.org.uk

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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.

This week we have a new touring production of a musical that is full of great tunes and comedy which has at it’s core a message about believing in yourself with ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’ at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre with description by Professional audio Describer Paula Cookland-Burns. 

About ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’

The iconic international West End and Broadway smash hit musical comedy Legally Blonde The Musical is back in fashion with a huge new production starring Amber Davies (Pretty Woman, 9 to 5 The Musical) as Elle!

This ultimate feel-good rom-com, based on the award-winning film starring Reese Witherspoon, follows Elle Woods on her transformation from It Girl fashionista to legal ace at Harvard Law School, all in the name of love.

Elle must prove she is more than blonde ambition, swap the changing rooms for the courtroom and learn that ‘being true to yourself never goes out of style.’ This must-see show is from the creative team behind Director Nikolai Foster’s phenomenally successful Kinky Boots. 

For more about the current tour of Legally Blonde the Musical do visit the production website  - https://legallyblondeshow.com
https://legallyblondeshow.com/tour-information/

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Ballet Cymru are bringing their interpretation of ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ to theatres in Wales this November. Hywel Davies has been finding out more about the production company and their bi-lingual audio description.

You can find more information on upcoming performances on the Ballet Cymru website - Book Ballet Tickets - Ballet Cymru

Cara Dunlop is a PhD student exploring how the UK public understands vision impairment.

Her work is examining the attitudes and stigma that shape everyday interactions and how these might be challenged.

Amelia learned more...

You can contact Cara over email - [email protected]
 
Take part in Cara's survey here - https://nupsych.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_etFACPnwjMVecXY

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Now for a roundup of accessible arts events as RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey catches up with Jess Beal from VocalEyes, the national audio description charity providing access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people to share some of the accessible events that are featured in their regular email newsletter.

Audio described shows and events included:

Reimagining Insects: A Creative Workshop at the Museum of Zoology - Saturday 14 November, 10am, Cambridge

Private Peaceful - Wednesday 18 November, 7.30pm, Curve Theatre Leicester

Annie - Thursday 19 November, 7.30pm, Woking Theatre

Rent - Saturday 21 November, 2.30pm, Tom Stoppard Theatre, London

Billy Elliott - Monday 23 November, 7.30pm, Sunderland Empire

The Postal Museum - Audio Described Tour - Friday 27 November, 2pm, Postal Museum, London

To find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details on how to sign up to the regular VocalEyes What’s On email newsletter do visit - https://vocaleyes.co.uk

(Image shows the VocalEyes logo. A speech bubble with 'VOCALEYES' written in bold black letters next to it)

In the lead up to Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Chelsea Pensioner and Blind Veteran Davey G Hards to find out about his military career, life as a Chelsea Pensioner and why it is so important to pause for two minutes silence on both days each year to remember those who gave their life for us in both World War I and World War II plus other conflicts. 

Davey began by telling Toby about his military background in the Devonshire and Dorset regiment, what it was like being diagnosed with glaucoma in his 40s.  To what life is like at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, giving guided tours of the RHC to the general public and how proud he feels wearing the distinctive Chelsea Pensioner’s scarlet coat.  Then to why it is so important to pause for two minutes silence on both Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day each year and how he and other Chelsea Pensioners will be marking both days.

In the interview Davey also gives Toby a tour of the Wren Chapel at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

To find out more about the Royal Hospital Chelsea do visit the Chelsea Pensioners website - https://chelsea-pensioners.co.uk

For more about Blind Veterans UK who help vision-impaired ex-Servicemen and women to rebuild their lives after sight loss do visit their website  - https://www.blindveterans.org.uk

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What is it like being a Sooty Box Collection Volunteer. David Hogg speaks to RNIB’s Luke McDonald to learn more.

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RNIB Cymru’s ‘See Cymru Differently’ project has been celebrated at the House of Commons. Hywel Davies has been finding out about the awards win, plus, plans for the future.

YOu can find more information on the project here - See Cymru Differently: accessibility and eye health across rural Wales | RNIB