RNIB Connect

Each week, RNIB Connect Radio's Allan Russell sits down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.

This week Simon looks at Commonwealth Games success for blind and partially sighted athletes.

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

You can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999
Or ask your Smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.
#RNIBConnect

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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 are off to London’s Fleet Street for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s revival of Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece ‘Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ by REP Artistic Director Joe Murphy with description by Professional Audio Describer Caroline Burn.

About ‘Sweeney Todd the Demon Barber of Fleet Street’

“Swing your razor wide, Sweeney!”

Wrongfully imprisoned for 15 years, Benjamin Barker returns to Victorian London as the mysterious barber, Sweeney Todd. Upon finding out he’s lost everything he ever loved, Sweeney swears revenge and so begins a chilling tale of macabre murder and Mrs Lovett’s pies! A deliciously bloodcurdling version of Stephen Sondheim’s musical”
 
First performed on Broadway in 1979, Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler‘s 12-time Tony Award-winning masterpiece is considered one of the greatest musicals ever written.

For more about access at the Birmingham REP do visit - https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/your-visit/accessibility/

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If you're planning a holiday and want to take your Guide Dog, or your pet dog, abroad, there are some very important steps that you need to consider and pay for.

RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke with Dr Caroline Goulton and Chris Theobald from Guide Dogs to find out more.

If you’d like more details on taking your Guide Dog abroad, go to www.guidedogs.org.uk
#RNIBConnect

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Nick Coupe and Claire Broughton have a successful track record, creating great comedy and viewer favourites.
RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to the Hat Trick producers to hear about the creation of a hilarious new serial comedy podcast.
Just search for You’ve Got Braille from your favourite podcast provider and enjoy Paddy’s antics.

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If you love a good comedy podcast with real life situations that you can relate to, why not try out You’ve Got Braille?
RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to actor and co-writer Reece Finnegan to find out more…
Just search for You’ve Got Braille from your favourite podcast provider and enjoy Paddy’s antics.

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Palestinian theatre company Khashabi Theatre reimagines an epic poem with physical theatre and live music as part of this year's Edinburgh International Festival (EIF).

David Hogg speaks with audio describer Christopher McKiddie to learn more...

The AD performance of Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah takes place at 7.30pm on Fri 28 August.

Learn more about the performance here - Al-Sirah Al-Hilaliyyah | Edinburgh International Festival
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The Galloping Cure is a visually stunning, emotionally gripping and darkly funny opera about the global opiod crisis.

Making its world premiere at this year's Edinburgh Interational Festival, Amelia speaks to Audio Describer Veronica Kinahan to learn more...

The AD performance of The Galloping Cure takes place at 7 pm on Wednesday the 12th August.

Learn more about the performance here - The Galloping Cure | Edinburgh International Festival

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Aarian Merani is turning his experiences as a brown, blind, bisexual with brain cancer into an hour of laughs at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Amelia learns more about his debut comedy show ‘How’s Your Head’ and why people should come along.

Learn more about Aarian's show on his website - How's Your Head? | Aarian Mehrabani

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Each week, on RNIB Connect Radio we sit down with Simon Antrobus, CEO of RNIB, to look at some of the big stories coming from the UK sight loss charity.

This week Simon began by talking about his visit to the gold medal award-winning RNIB Talking Books Garden at the RHS Sandringham Flower Show 2026.  Then to the 10th Anniversary on Saturday 1 August 2026 of the NHS Accessible Information Standard which still needs to be made mandatory and fully implemented.
Ending by reflecting on the great success of all the visually impaired athletes who have been competing in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

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

You can call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or ask your Amazon smart speaker to call RNIB's Helpline.
#RNIBConnect

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