RNIB Connect

The Sooty Boxes is a very important way to help raise money for RNIB, but what exactly do the Sooty Box volunteers do? Hubert has been catching up with one of them to find out, and congratulate them on a very special achievement.

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 another audio described theatre review.
This week we have a new touring production of a musical that is full of great tunes and comedy which has at it’s core a message about believing in yourself with ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’ at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre with description by Professional audio Describer Paula Cookland-Burns. 
About ‘Legally Blonde the Musical’
The iconic international West End and Broadway smash hit musical comedy Legally Blonde The Musical is back in fashion with a huge new production starring Amber Davies (Pretty Woman, 9 to 5 The Musical) as Elle!
This ultimate feel-good rom-com, based on the award-winning film starring Reese Witherspoon, follows Elle Woods on her transformation from It Girl fashionista to legal ace at Harvard Law School, all in the name of love.
Elle must prove she is more than blonde ambition, swap the changing rooms for the courtroom and learn that ‘being true to yourself never goes out of style.’ This must-see show is from the creative team behind Director Nikolai Foster’s phenomenally successful Kinky Boots. 
For more about the current tour of Legally Blonde the Musical do visit the production website  - https://legallyblondeshow.com
https://legallyblondeshow.com/tour-information/
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Ballet Cymru are bringing their interpretation of ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ to theatres in Wales this November. Hywel Davies has been finding out more about the production company and their bi-lingual audio description.
You can find more information on upcoming performances on the Ballet Cymru website - Book Ballet Tickets - Ballet Cymru

Cara Dunlop is a PhD student exploring how the UK public understands vision impairment.
Her work is examining the attitudes and stigma that shape everyday interactions and how these might be challenged.
Amelia learned more...
You can contact Cara over email - cara.dunlop@northumbria.ac.uk
 
Take part in Cara's survey here - https://nupsych.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_etFACPnwjMVecXY
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Now for a roundup of accessible arts events as RNIB Connect Radio's Toby Davey catches up with Jess Beal from VocalEyes, the national audio description charity providing access to the arts for blind and partially sighted people to share some of the accessible events that are featured in their regular email newsletter.
Audio described shows and events included:
Reimagining Insects: A Creative Workshop at the Museum of Zoology - Saturday 14 November, 10am, Cambridge
Private Peaceful - Wednesday 18 November, 7.30pm, Curve Theatre Leicester

Annie - Thursday 19 November, 7.30pm, Woking Theatre

Rent - Saturday 21 November, 2.30pm, Tom Stoppard Theatre, London

Billy Elliott - Monday 23 November, 7.30pm, Sunderland Empire

The Postal Museum - Audio Described Tour - Friday 27 November, 2pm, Postal Museum, London

To find out more about these and other up-coming described arts events as well as details on how to sign up to the regular VocalEyes What’s On email newsletter do visit - https://vocaleyes.co.uk
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