After having attended the recent audio described performance of ‘Ghosts’ at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre in London RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey caught up with Actor and RNIB Ambassador Victoria Smurfit, who’s daughter is also visually impaired, to find out more about playing Helena in Gary Owen’s version of Henrik Ibsen’s ‘Ghosts’ and also about access to theatre for blind and partially sighted people. 

Toby began by asking Victoria what the difference might be between the character Maud that Victoria plays in the Disney plus adaptation of ‘Rivals’ and Helena in ‘Ghosts’ or not.  

Then to talking about the touch tour prior to the audio described performance of ‘Ghosts’ and what an added bonus it was for Toby and the other visually impaired theatre patrons to have Victoria and one of the other Actors on stage during the touch tour. With Toby expressing how important a touch tour is for him to get a real sense and feel of the set and space that Victoria and the rest of the cast are performing in.  

Before a discussion about theatre access generally Toby asked Victoria whether she thinks about her daughter at all when performing, knowing that a show is being audio described for blind and partially sighted people and whether going to the theatre is something they both share together. 

You will find more about access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people by visiting the following pages of the RNIB website - https://www.rnib.org.uk/living-with-sight-loss/community-connection-and-wellbeing/leisure/art-galleries-museums-and-theatres/

Image shows Victoria on the set of Ghosts, dressed in white and sat on a stylish brown leather sofa in front of a pale blue foggy background. Her hands are clasped over her knees and she is leaning forward and looking towards the camera.