Here you will find all our dates of audio-described, captioned or British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances.
We offer concessions for people with access requirements. These vary from show to show. It is always best to book through our Access phone line 0121 689 1060 when booking accessible performances. You can also speak to our access advisors via email on hippodromeaccess@birminghamhippodrome.com
Audio Described Performances
Audio-description in theatre is a live verbal commentary on the visual elements of a production as it unfolds. The description gives only the essential information that a visually impaired patron might miss. Upcoming audio-described performances are listed here.
Sat 15 Apr 2023 | The SpongeBob Musical | 2pm |
Sat 22 Apr 2023 | Titanic The Musical | 2.30pm |
Sat 29 Apr 2023 | The Commitments | 2.30pm |
Sat 27 May 2023 | Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders | 2.30pm |
Sat 24 Jun 2023 | SIX | 4pm |
Fri 5 May 2023 | Welsh National Opera – The Magic Flute | 7.15pm |
Wed 16 Aug 2023 | Disney’s The Lion King | 2pm |
Sun 10 Sep 2023 | Disney’s The Lion King | 7.30pm |
Sat 14 Oct 2023 | Everybody’s Talking About Jamie | 2.30pm |
Sat 28 Oct 2023 | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical | 2pm |
Sat 25 Nov 2023 | The Nutcracker 2023 | 2.30pm |
Wed 10 Jan 2024 | Jack and the Beanstalk | 2pm |
Sat 13 Jan 2024 | Jack and the Beanstalk | 2.30pm |
Sat 17 Feb 2024 | Life of Pi | 2.30pm |
Touch Tours
For most audio-described performance we do, we have a Touch Tour that precedes the show. Touch Tours must be booked in advance through Ticket Sales. Times for the Touch Tours will be confirmed on booking. Our Touch Tours allow visually impaired patrons the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the set, props and costumes.
Tour Guide system
In the Main Auditorium (Stalls only) and the Patrick studio we use a Sennheiser Wireless RF Tour Guide system for enhancing volume for each user or to provide Audio Description on the selected performances above.
We have 3 different personal receivers available:
- HDE 2020-D-I earphones.
- EK 2020-D-II digital bodypack receiver to use with own headphones via a mini jack.
- EZT 3012 Induction neck loop with a EK 2020-D-II digital bodypack receiver for those with a hearing aid with a ‘T’ option
This system provides the show audio for every performance and the audio description/show audio & audio description mixed, for the selected performances above.
If you’d like a receiver for the Tour Guide system, just ask at our Access Assistance Point in the main entrance foyer.
Captioned Performances
Captioning is similar to television subtitling and gives deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people access to live performances. The actors’ words appear on a display unit at the same time as they are spoken or sung. Speaker names, sound effects and off stage noises are also shown. Please note: when booking please ask for seats suitable for seeing the captions. It is best to book seats for Captioned Performances via Ticket Sales rather than online.
Thu 13 Apr 2023 | The SpongeBob Musical | 7pm |
Thu 20 Apr 2023 | Titanic The Musical | 7.30pm |
Sun 25 Jun 2023 | SIX | 2pm |
Thu 27 Apr 2023 | The Commitments | 7.30pm |
Sat 27 May 2023 | Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders | 2.30pm |
Thu 20 Jul 2023 | Disney’s The Lion King | 7.30pm |
Thu 7 Sep 2023 | Disney’s The Lion King | 7.30pm |
Thu 12 Sep 2023 | Everybody’s Talking About Jamie | 7.30pm |
Thu 19 Oct 2023 | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical | 7pm |
Sun 14 Jan 2024 | Jack and the Beanstalk | 1pm |
Sun 14 Jan 2024 | Jack and the Beanstalk | 5.15pm |
Thu 15 Feb 2024 | Life of Pi | 7.30pm |
BSL British Sign Language Interpreted Performances
Sign-language is a visual means of communicating using gestures, facial expression and body language. Within Britain the most common form of Sign Language is called British Sign Language (BSL). Seats are assigned close to the signer.
Wed 12 Apr 2023 | The SpongeBob Musical | 7pm |
Wed 19 Apr 2023 | Titanic The Musical | 7.30pm |
Sun 25 Jun 2023 | SIX | 2pm |
Wed 26 Apr 2023 | The Commitments | 7.30pm |
Thu 25 May 2023 | Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders | 7.30pm |
Wed 26 Jul 2023 | Disney’s The Lion King | 7.30pm |
Wed 6 Sep 2023 | Disney’s The Lion King | 7.30pm |
Wed 11 Oct 2023 | Everybody’s Talking About Jamie | 7.30pm |
Wed 25 Oct | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical | 7pm |
Sun 7 Jan 2024 | Jack and the Beanstalk | 1pm |
Sun 7 Jan 2024 | Jack and the Beanstalk | 5.15pm |
Wed 14 Feb 2024 | Life of Pi | 7.30pm |
Assistance Dogs
If you have an assistance dog, please advise Box Office at the time of booking and they can then allocate the most appropriate seating for you or make adequate provision to care for your dog during the performance.