Vidar Hjardeng MBE - Birmingham Royal Ballet: Don Quixote, 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 was reviewing the audio described performance of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of Don Quixote at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre on Saturday 26 February 2022. Audio description was provided by professional Describer Julia Grundy.

Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Director Carlos Acosta brings an explosion of Spanish sunshine, spectacular dance, and vivacious comedy to the stage in this new production created especially for Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Don Quixote introduces us to Cervantes’ famous knight himself, lovers Kitri and Basilio, and a host of supporting characters. As the Don sets out on a quest to track down his true love, with his loyal friend and servant Sancho Panza at his side, he finds himself embroiled in an unlikely adventure of love and dreams.

Vidar began by stating that this was a production and story that he had not come across before but one that was definitely brought to life for him through the audio description by Julia Grundy.

The movement and staging of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of Don Quixote certainly took Vidar from Birmingham to the warmth of the Spanish summer sunshine through the very colourful design of the costumes and set 

The Pre-show introductory notes from Julia gave Vidar a good insight into the feel of the production which again was enhanced through Julia’s live audio description.

Vidar shared how audio description makes it possible to be able to share the theatre experience with sighted friends and family. On this occasion Vidar was accompanied by a sighted friend who is very much a fan and follower of Birmingham Royal Ballet.  

Vidar closed by encouraging other visually impaired people to catch Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of Don Quixote if they get the opportunity to do so or just experience other dance and ballet audio described performances.

For more details about Birmingham Royal Ballet and any of their up-coming described performances do visit their website -

https://www.brb.org.uk


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