Sensory Guide for Holding Light
Sensory Guides provide timestamped information about the sensory elements of a production including content warnings and information about resources and support.
Information
Sensory Guides provide information about sensory elements of a live performance and the times at which they occur.
This can include unexpected loud noises, the use of haze, flashing lights or strobe lighting. They also provide information about triggering content, such as the use of guns, any kind of sexual content, or an actor performing emotional distress.
These can help support you with your enjoyment and understanding of a production and may be helpful to those who experience the challenges of mental health and trauma that could be triggered by a production.
Content
This production contains references to trauma, mental health challenges and addiction.
Synopsis
Holding Light features three dance works based on the themes of trauma, mental health challenges and addiction. The performances use light as a metaphor for recovery.
Characters
All three works – 'Become', 'Beside' and 'Belong' are performed by various dancers who wear the same costumes throughout the performances. You can read about the costumes in Fallen Angels Dance Theatre blog here.
The performance
This production lasts approximately 1 hour.
Performance – 45 minutes
Question and Answer – 15 minutes
Audio Description is available.
Become
This performance lasts approximately 15 minutes
Timing | Sensory Content |
|---|---|
Approx 1.48 minutes: | Sound: Rhythmic beats fade into ethereal electronic background sound and 5 steady slow single beats. Lighting: A haze is used throughout this performance. |
Approx 2.5 minutes: | Sound: Rhythmic beats come back in and build slowly. |
Approx 5 minutes: | Sound: Beats fade out to ethereal electronic background sound. |
Approx 7 minutes: | Sound: Sound drops to simple quiet beat. Action and Sound: Performers use their mouths to make "shh" sounds. |
Approx 11 minutes: | Sound: Background sound comes back in a bit stronger. Action: Performers continue making "shh" sounds and add in "huh". Their choreographed movements looks like they are being hit in the stomach. This is repeated slowly and rhythmically 5 times. |
Approx 12 minutes until to the end of the performance: | Sound: Strong and loud music. Action: Performers movements become physically bigger and faster to represent their feelings. They continue making the different sounds with their mouths. |
Beside
This performance lasts approximately 13 minutes
Timing: | Sensory Content: |
|---|---|
From the beginning: | Action: Performers appear to be rolling on the floor. Lighting: A haze is used throughout this performance. |
Approx 1.5 minutes: | Sound: There is a scratching sound followed by a high pitch squeak which repeats. This continues for approximately another minute. |
Approx 3.5 minutes: | Sound: Sounds fade to silence. |
Approx 11 minutes: | Sound: Bangs and clashes which begin irregular, becoming rhythmical. |
Belong
This performance lasts approximately 11 minutes.
This performance contains themes of the challenges of mental health, addiction and recovery.
Timing: | Sensory Content: |
|---|---|
From the beginning: | Sound: Rhythmic beat. Followed by a recorded voice speaking. Lighting: A haze is used throughout this performance. There are flashing lights throughout this performance and several warm-coloured lights face the performers. |
Approx 4 minutes: | Sound: Music becomes faster. Action: Performers use jerky movements in time to the beat to create the feeling of tension. |
Approx 8.5 mintes: | Action: One performer is lifted into the air by the others. This has been rehearsed and is safe for the performers. |
Approx 9 minutes: | Sound: Recorded voice speaking returns. |
Resources
Recovery Arts
- Recovery Arts Alliance - https://recovery-arts.org/
- Performing Recovery Magazine - https://recovery-arts.org/performing-recovery-magazine/
Addiction and Recovery
- Help and support for anyone with alcohol problems – alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk 0800 9177 650 help@aamail.org (email helpline)
- Supports people with drug, alcohol or mental health problems and their friends and family – wearewithyou.org.uk
- Confidential advice and information about drugs, their effects and the law – talktofrank.com 0300 123 6600
- Provides support to anyone affected by someone else's harmful use of drugs, alcohol or gambling – DrugFAM - drugfam.co.uk 0300 888 3853
Mental Health Support
- Mind https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/ 0300 123 3393 info@mind.org.uk
- Samaritans http://www.samaritans.org/ 116 123 jo@samaritans.org
- SANEline. http://www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day)
Access Scheme
When you join our Access Scheme, you can customise your account with your specific access requirements.
You can tailor the booking process to include:
- Different kinds of accessible seating
- Personalised Accessible Performance and event information, dates and prices
- Discounted tickets for scheduled Accessible Performances, including Relaxed Performances
- A complimentary companion ticket for those who require personal assistance
- Access to resources such as Audio Described magazines, Audio Described introductions, Visual Stories, Sensory Guides, British Sign Language-interpreted synopsis videos and large print Season Guides
- Information on how to access assistive hearing devices and Audio Description equipment