Issue 5 – December 2009
Welcome to the December quarterly issue of the Sydney Opera House Access newsletter. In this issue we highlight the official opening of the Western Foyers which is now more accessible forless mobile visitors, people with a disability and families with prams. You can celebrate New Year’s Eve in style or experience the Sydney Theatre Company performance of Tom Wright’s Optimism in the Drama Theatre either captioned, audio described or Auslan interpreted.
The appointment of Louise Sauvage OAM as the Sydney Opera House inaugural Accessibility Ambassador is an exciting opportunity to raise awareness of our accessible facilities and programs. Louise will be our guest at the Sydney Opera House Access Awards in December. .
In our news section we provide updates on our latest access improvements. We also have information on conferences, training and resources which provide insights on how Sydney Opera House and other venues and arts organisations are improving access to cultural experiences.
The Sydney Opera House Theatre Access Brochure and the more detailed Access Guide are now updated and available on our website www.sydneyoperahouse.com
IMPROVED ACCESS
Sydney Opera House Unveils Western Foyers and Accessibility Improvements
On 17 November Sydney Opera House launched the official opening of the refurbished Western Foyers and accessibility improvements which signals a new era for visitor access. For the first time since the building’s opening in 1973, patrons will be able to access the main box office foyers via Sydney Opera House’s first public lift. Two new escalators provide access to both the box office and southern foyers of the Concert Hall and Opera Theatre.
The project has transformed the Western Foyers into a stylish and functional space providing patrons with additional amenities including new ticketing, toilet and cloaking facilities. Importantly, new escalators and a public lift have vastly improved independent access for our visitors.
WESTERN FOYERS UPCOMING EVENTS AND PERFORMANCES
Celebrate New Year’s Eve
With the improved access facilities in the Western Foyers you can now enjoy an exclusive, personalised and luxurious New Year’s Eve with a superb menu created by Matt Moran. Sip cocktails or champagne and enjoy international entertainment as you get ready for the best view of New Year 2010 celebrations. The evening‘s entertainment is from 6.15pm – 2.30am and is an experience of a lifetime. For more information go to www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Tom Tom Crew
From 6 January - The Studio
Direct from sell-out seasons in New York, London and Edinburgh, experience super-charged circus and heart-pumping music for the 21st century. Audacious acrobatics, phenomenal beat-boxing, master scratching and indescribable drumming displays collide as some of Australia’s most extraordinary talents join forces.
The Studio has 10 wheelchair accessible seating positions available on the gallery and stage level.
The Man in Black
From 9 February - The Playhouse
Tex Perkins leads The Tennessee Four in a celebration of the life and times of one of the most incredible singers, songwriters and entertainers to ever grace the stage. Tex and his band take on Ring of Fire, I Walk the Line, Folsom Prison Blues, Sunday Mornin’ Coming Down, Get Rhythm, A Boy Named Sue and other classics in a show that tells the story of Cash’s rise to stardom, his fight for survival and eventual redemption.
The entry to the Playhouse has new platform stairlifts with fold-out seats allowing them to be used by patrons using wheelchairs and less mobile patrons. Four accessible wheelchair positions are available at the mid theatre entry level.
Highlight - Optimism
From 12 January – Drama Theatre
Tom Wright transforms Voltaire’s classic satire of enlightened insanity, Candide, into a cutting commentary on the no-worries bravura of the Australian swagger. Frank Woodley won a Herald Angel Award for his performance as the criminally cheerful Candide, and along with Barry Otto as Pangloss his happy go-lucky mentor, this superb Sydney Theatre Company cast makes this a production not to be missed.
The Drama Theatre has four wheelchair accessible positions.
Captioned performances will also be held: Friday 29 January 8pm and Wednesday 3 February 1pm.
Audio described: Tuesday 2 February 6.30pm and Saturday 6 February 2pm.
Touch-tours: 2 February 4pm and 6 February 11.30am before the production to capture the atmosphere, costumes, characters and action.
Auslan sign language interpreted performance will be offered on Thursday 11 February 8pm. Seats are reserved to ensure a good view of the signer and the stage. Patrons wishing to be seated in this area need to let Box Office know at the time of booking.
More details on other captioned or audio described performances by Sydney Theatre Company in 2010 are available in our Access Diary.
When booking tickets please ensure you inform Box Office of your access requirements.
Hearing
FM Radio systems are available for performances in all venues. FM radio units may be borrowed free of charge from the cloakroom when attending a performance. This service is also compatible with hearing aids via an induction loop. Please enquire at the cloakroom about this service prior to performance.
An Induction Loop system is installed at the main Box Office counter windows on the Box Office level, offering customers using hearing aids clearer sound when booking tickets. It works by amplifying Box Office staff and customers’ voices.
ACCESS EVENTS
Louise Sauvage OAM Appointed Sydney Opera House Accessibility Ambassador
Sydney Opera House has announced that one of Australia’s most decorated athletes, Louise Sauvage OAM, has accepted the role of Accessibility Ambassador on a voluntary basis for a two year term.
As Sydney Opera House’s inaugural Accessibility Ambassador Louise will provide strategic advice on Sydney Opera House’s Access Plan with a view to further improving access for people with disabilities.
“We are enormously pleased that Louise Sauvage has volunteered her services to Sydney Opera House. She is an Australian icon herself who is so strongly committed to improving access for all peoples. We look forward to both her contribution and honest assessments about how Sydney Opera House can do better,” Richard Evans CEO.
“As Accessibility Ambassador, I am truly honoured to have an association with Australia’s most iconic landmark. I honestly believe that Sydney Opera House was built for the people therefore we should do what we can to make sure all Australians and international visitors have the opportunity to experience everything Sydney Opera House has to offer. Sydney Opera House has taken a big step forward in improving accessibility and I look forward to working with them on future initiatives,” Louise Sauvage.
International Day of People with a Disability - Don’t DIS my ABILITY
In NSW International Day of People with a Disability is celebrated throughout November and December with the Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign, proudly supported by the NSW Government and Ageing, Disability and Home Care Department of Human Services NSW.
For full details on the hundreds of events held throughout metropolitan and regional NSW which promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with a disability go towww.DontDISmyABILITY.com.au
Sydney Opera House Access Awards
Once again Sydney Opera House celebrated International Day of People with a Disability and the NSW Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign by acknowledging Sydney Opera House's access achievements in 2009. The annual Access Awards Breakfast is an opportunity to thank those staff and external partners who have contributed to our achievements in access over this past year. This year the Awards were held in the newly refurbished Playhouse Foyer and were an opportunity to introduce and welcome our Accessibility Ambassador, Louise Sauvage.
Sydney Opera House Access Training
Test your access knowledge by participating in the Sydney Opera House Access Orientation Program. This is usually offered to new staff but now open to all Sydney Opera House staff as part of our contribution to the NSW Don’t DIS my ABILITY campaign. Join Jenny Spinak at 1pm in the Boardroom for an hour on Tuesday 15 December for an action learning workshop where you will experience the new access routes for Sydney Opera House. To book and for more information contact Jenny atjspinak@sydneyoperahouse.com
ACCESS REPORTS
Sydney Opera House Open Day Access Tours
On Sunday 25 October we opened the doors of Sydney Opera House and invited the community to see behind the scenes. Thousands of people who visited Sydney Opera House for the first time experienced Sydney Opera House come alive with entertainment taking place throughout all venues.
Access Tours were offered for people with mobility disabilities throughout the day. Four separate tours of the House were integrated into one Access Tour with the addition of a tour guide. All Access Tour sessions were full and those taking the Tour were delighted to have a guide to provide them with the history of the building.
Playhouse Theatre Seating Give-Away
To promote the new wheelchair accessible seating and entry to the Playhouse Theatre, Sydney Opera House gave away complimentary tickets to its performances of The Oracle, New Breed and Ronnie Burkett’s Billy Twinkle during September/October 2009. The giveaway was promoted through disability community networks with the aim of increasing awareness of the improved accessible seating sightlines as well as the new public lift and Western Foyer access. Feedback from partcipants was very positive and the promotion provided an opportunity to finetune some of the operations behind the new access arrangements.
Courtesy Wheelchairs Update
A limited number of courtesy wheelchairs are available one hour before performances for patrons attending events in the Concert Hall and Opera Theatre. They are available by the entrance of the new corridor through to the Western Foyers at the top of the external escalators.
Wheelchairs are also available at the Concert Hall cloakroom located on the Upper Level, opposite Bistro Mozart.
Front of House staff are happy to arrange for patrons to borrow these wheelchairs but are unable to leave their posts to assist patrons moving around the Sydney Opera House. It is recommended that patrons who do not normally use a wheelchair bring a friend or companion along to assist them in manoeuvring the wheelchair around the House, as Front of House Staff are unable to assist patrons in transferring to seats or to provide personal attendant services.
LEAD Conference Resources
A CD has been compiled of access resources from the 2009 LEAD Conference (Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability) in Washington D.C. To borrow the CD contact Jenny Spinak at jspinak@sydneyoperahouse.com
Arts Activated Conference
Early-bird registrations are open until 18 December for Accessible Arts’ Arts-Activated Conference at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney 25-26 March 2010.
A range of international and local speakers will be presenting including:
Jenny Sealey, MBE, Artistic Director Graeae Theatre Company (UK) and Artistic Advisor to Unlimited, the UK’s largest ever disability arts program; Sue Williams, Arts Council England (UK); Tony McCaffrey, Artistic Director of Different Light Theatre Company (NZ); Rachel Gadsden, Visual Artist (UK); Majella Flanagan, Coordinator Any Bright Ideas (UK); Rafael Bonachela (NSW), Artistic Director Sydney Dance Company; Phillip Channels, Artistic Director Restless Dance Theatre (SA) and Camilla Connolly, Australian Director of the Asperger Women Association (NSW).
The conference is intended for artists with and without a disability, arts workers, disability service providers, policy makers, funding bodies, festival organisers and volunteers, cultural institutions, venues and anyone interested in arts and disability. For more information, visitwww.aarts.net.au
Volunteers required!
Vision Australia is seeking volunteers to be trained as audio describers for a range of Sydney Theatre Company and Ensemble Theatre performances in 2010. Audio description is the narration of visual aspects of live theatre performances. A team of trained Vision Australia volunteers provides the commentary, which listeners can access through a small radio receiver and single earpiece.
The training is very comprehensive and will commence in February 2010. Contact Lyn Curtis on 1300847466 to register your interest and find out more information about this interesting program.
PLANNING A VISIT
Access Guide and Theatre Access Brochure
Sydney Opera House is committed to providing the most current and relevant information to assist you in getting to and around the site.An updated Access Guide and accompanying Theatre Access Brochure is now available to assist you in planning your visit to Sydney Opera House. The Theatre Access Brochure outlines theatre access information as well as information on booking a performance or tour.
Download the Theatre Access Brochure
Download the Access Guide
Complimentary Shuttle Bus
Our popular complimentary shuttle bus service operates to assist elderly and less mobile patrons. Seating is limited and available on a first come, first served basis. The bus runs between Circular Quay near Stand E (under the Cahill Expressway) and the Vehicle Concourse. Please note that there is no bus service for any theatres on Sunday evenings.
Complimentary Shuttle Bus running times
Vehicle Concourse Parking
A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available under the covered Ground Level Concourse near Stage Door, a $15 fee applies. To check availability please call 61 2 9250 7185 Monday to Saturday 9:00am till 8:30pm, Sunday 10:00am till 6:00pm (subject to alteration). Please ensure you have your updated RTA details (current RTA permit number and expiry date) and credit card ready before calling.
Customers who are deaf or who have a hearing impairment can call (at no cost) through the National Relay Service:
- TTY users phone 13 36 77 then ask for 9250 7185
- Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 9250 7185
- Internet relay users connect to the NRSwww.relayservice.com.au and then ask for 9250 7185
Please note that sometimes these parking spaces will be sold out for some performances.
More information on parking at Sydney Opera House
Accessible Drop-off Points
Patrons who are unable to walk long distances can be dropped off in taxis or private vehicles at the onsite roundabout near the covered Vehicle Concourse on Ground Level.
Level access to the Drama Theatre, Playhouse and The Studio is adjacent to the vehicle drop off point.
Patrons can then proceed via the new public lift to the Concert Hall, Opera Theatre, Utzon Room, Box Office, Guided Tours Desk, Information Desk, Theatre Bars and Guillaume at Bennelong (limited access).
All vehicles (including taxis and private vehicles) are required to stop at the Main Gate to confirm their access requirements with the Security Officer.
For more information feel free to contact the Sydney Opera House Information Desk via email InfoDesk@sydneyoperahouse.comor call on 61 2 9250 7343. Patrons who are deaf or who have a hearing impairment can call (at no cost) through the National Relay Service:
- TTY users phone 13 36 77 then ask for 9250 7343
- Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 9250 7343
- Internet relay users connect to the NRS www.relayservice.com.au and then ask for 9250 7343
ACCESSIBLE FORMATS AND MORE INFORMATION
A large print version of this newsletter is available on request frominfodesk@sydneyoperahouse.com
If you would like further information on any of the topics in this newsletter feel free to contact Jenny Spinak, Accessibility Program Manager atjspinak@sydneyoperahouse.com
ACCESSIBLE FORMATS AND MORE INFORMATION
A large print version of this newsletter is available on request frominfodesk@sydneyoperahouse.com
If you would like further information on any of the topics in this newsletter please contact Jenny Spinak, Program Manager Accessibility atjspinak@sydneyoperahouse.com