A theatre company are making their performances more accessible by creatively embedding audio descriptions and offering "pay what you can" tickets amid the cost of living crisis.

Hawkseed Theatre company will be premiering their new play, "A Very Odd Birthday Party", at The Met on Thursday, October 20.

The play, described as a ‘charmingly awkward and poignant piece on dementia, family and heritage’, follows a mother-to-be, Eveline, and her dad Michael Moriarty, living with dementia.

It penetrates the psyche, humour and trauma of being a first and second-generation immigrant in the UK, revelling in the complexities of family, working-class identity and memory.

Bury Times: Cast of 'A Very Odd Birthday Party'Cast of 'A Very Odd Birthday Party' (Image: Public)

Hannah Donelon, co-founder of Hawkseed Theatre, and writer of "A Very Odd Birthday Party" will be joining the cast to play the character Evie.

Hannah said: “The Met feels like the perfect home to premiere this play: it consistently provides audiences with opportunities to learn about and champion culture.

“Growing up in Manchester, it has always been a place I can go to connect with my Irish heritage and to feel the tradition alive and kicking. We are really delighted to have found our home in Bury!"

Hawkseed Theatre aims to make the performance as accessible and enjoyable as it can, particularly by providing inclusivity for those with different needs within the community.

As a part of this, all performances will include "pay what you can" tickets and creatively embedded audio descriptions.

Chloë Clarke, an audio description consultant, joined the company to help creatively embed audio description into the script for a more integrated experience for theatregoers.

Anna Berentzen, co-founder of Hawkseed Theatre, has been directing the brand-new play, she said: “I'm so excited to share this story and these characters with a live audience!

“The Met has been incredibly supportive in helping us bring A Very Odd Birthday Party to life and as a Manchester-based theatre company it feels like the perfect place to start our tour."

 

Bury Times: Rehearsals for the play Rehearsals for the play (Image: Press release)

The play will contain live traditional music and has been described by cast member Tim Mylechreest, who will be playing Daniel as ‘A charmingly awkward and poignant piece on dementia, family and heritage.’

Alternative ticket options will be provided for those facing financial difficulties with the "pay what you decide" option.

This means tickets are free in advance however after you’ve seen the show, audience members can go to the ticket desk and pay the price that’s right for them.

Hawkseed has said to only select this option if you are facing financial difficulties.

The play, which has been long-listed for the Women’s Prize for Playwriting,  will take place at 7.30pm with tickets priced at £15.

For more information on the performance and for tickets see here.

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