Vidar Hjardeng MBE - English National Opera: La bohème, Audio Described Theatre Review

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 the next in his regular Connect Radio audio described theatre reviews.

This week Vidar is reviewing the audio described performance of English National Opera's production of Puccini’s La bohème at the Coliseum in London. This is a slightly different accessible performance as there was no live through audio description however, more enhanced recorded described introductory notes were played out through headsets 15 minutes before curtain up with more recorded notes played during the intervals between each of the acts provided by Sightlines Audio Describer Willie Elliot.

Puccini’s La bohème is one of the most famous operas ever written, following the unforgettable story of two young, bohemian lovers in Paris. With a great love story comes a beautiful score, including arias like Musetta’s Waltz and ‘Yes, they call me Mimì’ (Si, mi chiamano Mimì).

La bohème is Vidar’s favourite opera and one he has seen many times over the years and Vidar began by telling Toby how the enhanced introductory notes helped him with his understanding of the look and feel to the costumes and set of ENO production of La bohème.

Vidar also explained how the enhanced notes differed from the usual introductory notes that he normally receives for other audio described performances.

With Vidar knowing La bohème so well it more than likely helped with his understanding and enjoyment of this production with no through audio description and Vidar noted how much he does rely on the live through audio description for a full understanding of the theatre productions he attends at many theatres around the country. 

Vidar summed up by saying that as he knows La bohème so well he was able to enjoy this production with just the enhanced introductory notes however, he would not normally have as an enjoyable and full filled experience without the live through audio description. Although if you were very familiar with a theatre show you might be able to have a good experience with just the enhanced introductory notes but that is no substitute for the full AD experience; intro notes, touch tour and the live through description.

To find out more about English National Opera and their productions do visit the ENO website - https://www.eno.org/


(Image shows RNIB logo. 'RNIB' written in black capital letters over a white background and underlined with a bold pink line, with the words 'See differently' underneath)