RNIB Conversations

What is it like seeing a stage production with audio description?

Luci Franks went to see the audio described performance of Les Misérables at London's Sondheim Theatre.

The famous musical is based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo. Set in 19th century France, Les Misérables follows the life of Jean Valjean – an ex-convict who seeks redemption and who is pursued by his rival and ex-guard Javert. Filled with love, passion and courage, the story seas Jean Valjean take on young orphan Cosette. Always on the run, they eventually find themselves in Paris in the midst of the French Revolution.  

Luci spoke with RNIB Connect Radio's Paulina Kuchorew.

Next touch tour and audio described performance of Les Mis will take place on Saturday 27th of February 2027. Find out more here: Les Misérables London | The Official Website

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Until a meeting, as a teenager, with a social worker, Amrit Dhaliwal had no idea of the support and services that were out there for people who were blind or partially sighted.
RNIB Connect Radio’s Allan Russell spoke to Amrit, to find out how the charity has influenced her life and why she wants to make sure others seek out their services and help fund the charity’s work.

#RNIBConnect

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With Halloween around the corner, you might be looking for some fun and accessible activities to do.

Paulina spoke with Emmy Anstee from Emmy's VIP Life about some of her suggestions for accessible activities that blind and partially sighted people of all ages can get involved in.

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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:

Heathers The Musical - Thursday 8 October, 7.30pm, touch tour 6pm, Curve Theatre, Leicester

Paranormal Activity - Friday 9 October, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, Woking Theatre

Sinatra The Musical - Tuesday 13 October, 7.30pm, Aldwych Theatre, London

Cats - Wednesday 21 October, 7.30pm, Hull New Theatre

Table 17 - Thursday 22 October, 7.30pm, Kiln Theatre, London

Northern Ballet’s Cinderella - Saturday 24 October, 2.30pm, touch tour 12.15pm, Theatre Royal Nottingham

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

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As there seems to be a bit of an autumnal feel in the air at the moment which must mean we are in flu season again.  So for this week’s check in with Glasgow based Pharmacist Elizabeth Roddick it is all about reminding us to get our flu vaccinations.

Elizabeth began by explaining to RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey why we have to be vaccinated for flu every year, who is eligible for the flu vaccination and who should have them. 

Then to what the difference is between a cold and the flu, whether antibiotics work when you have flu and can we avoid getting flu too.

Finally Elizabeth gave an outline about who is being called to get their flu and covid vaccinations this autumn.

There is more about flu and covid vaccination services on the following pages of the NHS website - 
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/

To get in touch with Elizabeth you can email [email protected] or for more information visit -
https://elizabethroddick.com

Image: Picture showing Elizabeth standing in her pharmacy, dressed in her white pharmacist coat and a colourful bandana around her neck, she's smiling warmly at the camera with her hands slightly raised.

Barry Snell learns about the Bella Foundations BMF International Music Competition for Blind and Visually Impaired Musicians, which is open to classical and jazz musicians from around the world.

Click here to learn more about the competition & also about The Bella Foundation

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:

The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time - Thursday 24 September, 7.30pm, woking Theatre

The Play that Goes Wrong - Friday 25 September, 7.30pm, touch tour 6.15pm, The Duchess Theatre, London

Beetlejuice - Monday 28 September, 7.30pm, touch tour 5.30pm, Prince Edward Theatre, London

The Postal Museum - Audio Described Tour, Saturday 3 October, 10am, Postal Museum

Tristan & Yseult - Thursday 8 October, 2.30pm, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford

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

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Are you interested about how puppies get trained to be able to be a guide dog? Well, in this podcast we get a little look at that as we find out how a group of puppies got on when they visited a theatre play. 

Image shows a sweet guide dog puppy smiles at the camera as it gets chin rubs and pets from two Play That Goes Wrong cast members. Behind them lots of people taking photos of the cast and crew interacting with the visiting puppies. (Photo credit: ©EllieKurttz)

Three of Northern Ireland’s most compelling Vision impaired artists — Joe Kenny, Andrea Begley, and Future Her — join forces for Label Me Live, an exclusive one‑night event taking place at The Black Box, Belfast as part of the Bounce Arts Festival, presented by University of Atypical.

Barry caught up with Joe Kenny, who is the gigs organiser