Accessible performances
We want everyone to have the opportunity to experience the magic of live shows and special programs at the Sydney Opera House. Here you'll find our program of inclusive performances for people of all ages and abilities. Click any of the below buttons to see performances from that company or genre.
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs – Handel: Messiah performed in Auslan
Handel’s greatest and most loved choral masterpiece sung by more than 500 voices at the Sydney Opera House. In a world first and in collaboration with Accessible Arts and Sydney Opera House, the concert is signed live by a choir of 18 to bring another element of meaning to this powerful piece of music.
Keep Cooking Simple with Yotam Ottolenghi
Spend your afternoon with the chef who has made tahini and pomegranate molasses pantry staples across the world. Yotam Ottolenghi joins Adam Liaw for a no holds barred conversation, sharing the stories behind his iconic recipes. Auslan Interpretation by Sweeney Interpreting.
Guwanyi Walama (AUSLAN)
Join our Indigenous narrators on a journey into the history and culture of Bennelong Point in this digital tour created especially for kids! Beginning from creation time to pre-settlement and the arrival of the first fleet, learn about the daily life of the Gadigal people and the land of Tubowgule. Also hear the fascinating story about a man called Bennelong.
Take an online tour of the Sydney Opera House
Follow our tour guide behind the scenes at the Sydney Opera House where performers like Julie Andrews, Bob Dylan and Prince have all gone before, and discover spaces and places normally hidden from the public. Throughout your journey, learn from our tour guide as they uncover the history of this iconic building through untold anecdotes and fun facts.
The Wiggles
Dress up, dance and sing along with The Wiggles! Join Emma, Lachy, Simon and Anthony Wiggle as they shimmy and shake onto our stage for a very Wiggly performance! Auslan Interpretation by Sweeney Interpreting.
Bell Shakespeare: John Bell, One Man In His Time (Audio Described)
Join John Bell AO as he shares his reflections on the timeless and poetic language of Shakespeare’s plays and his lifetime spent performing and directing them.
Presented in association with Bell Shakespeare.
Accessible theatre for children with disability
Accessible theatre for children with disability
In 2016, we presented Oddysea, an immersive sensory theatre experience designed specifically for young people with profound and complex disabilities. Sensorium Theatre’s hands-on story telling made use of all the senses – touch, taste, smell, as well as sound and vision - giving a life-changing experience to those young people who face the most challenges in coming to a regular Opera House show. Oddysea was enabled privately by an Opera House Idealist major donor.
Kids & Families
How to book an accessible performance:
- Please call +61 2 9250 7777 or email accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com
- For web bookings, please select Auslan, Audio Described or Caption prices when choosing the price type on the event page. Click the Book Now link on the event page for Sing & Play events. Relaxed events do not have allocated seating, please book standard tickets.
Audio described performance, 11 December 2020, 10.45am. Pre-show tactile tour, 10.15am
Diary of a Wombat
Meet the naughtiest wombat in Australia as the award-winning picture book by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley comes to life on stage!
Audio described performance, 14 January 2021, 10.45am. Pre-show tactile tour, 10.15am.
The Gruffalo's Child
A magical musical adaptation of the best selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Auslan interpreted performance, 17 January 2021, 1.45pm
Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark
A side-splitting adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic from Australia’s silliest kidult comedy duo, The Listies!
Talks & Ideas
How to book an accessible performance:
- Please call +61 2 9250 7777 or email accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com
- For web bookings, please select Auslan or Caption prices when choosing the price type on the event page. Relaxed events do not have allocated seating, please book standard tickets.
29 November, various sessions
Antidote Festival
You are invited to Antidote, a festival of ideas, action, and change. Auslan tickets are available by emailing bookings@sydneyoperahouse.com or calling 02 9250 7777.
29 November, 10am, Auslan
Resetting the World
Jefa Greenaway, Rebecca Huntley & Jessica Irvine
How can we rebuild outdated thinking with fresh perspectives? Advocate for Indigenous-led design Jefa Greenaway, social researcher Rebecca Huntley, and one of Australia's leading economic journalists Jessica Irvine, offer fresh ideas to reshape our world. Auslan Interpreted by Sweeny Interpreting.
29 November, 12.30pm, Auslan
Such a Fun Age: Race, Class and Privilege
Kiley Reid
Join Kiley Reid, the Man Booker-longlisted author of 2020's hit bestseller Such a Fun Age, for a wide-ranging discussion of some of the biggest issues of our times. Auslan Interpreted by Sweeny Interpreting.
29 November, 5.30pm, Auslan
Reasons to be Cheerful
Rutger Bregman & Jess Scully
A cynical view sees humanity as bad by nature. But what if we're not selfish, but instead inherently good, hopeful, and kind? Could this understanding change everything? Auslan interpreted by Sweeney Interpreting.
29 November, 8pm, Auslan
Queerstories Comes Back Out
Confessions, obsessions, love, loss, and fierce resistance - you never know what will happen next at Sydney's legendary LGBTQI+ storytelling event. Hosted by Maeve Marsden. Auslan interpreted by Sweeney Interpreting.
29 November, 3pm, Auslan
The End of America?
Jill Lepore
Presidential elections are pivotal in US politics and culture, but 2020 has taken this to the next level. In this radically changing landscape, could we be entering a new world order? Hosted by Damien Cave. Auslan interpreted by Sweeney Interpreting.
Contemporary Performances
How to book an accessible performance:
- Please call +61 2 9250 7777 or email accessibility@sydneyoperahouse.com
- For web bookings, please select Auslan, Audio Described or Caption prices when choosing the price type on the event page. Relaxed events do not have allocated seating, please book standard tickets.
Audio described performance, 20 January 2021, 7.30pm. Pre-show tactile tour, 6.15pm.
Rent
An iconic city. One life-changing year. This legendary rock musical. Join the bohemian revolution as this group of artists, outcasts and misfits seize their moment in the face of adversity, measuring their lives in love. Celebrate the 25th anniversary of this global musical phenomenon with a never more prevalent message: “no day but today”.
Opera Australia
To book please call +61 2 9318 8200 or email ticket@opera.org.au
There are currently no accessible performances available.
The Australian Ballet
To book please call 1300 369 741 or book online at www.australianballet.com.au
There are currently no accessible performances available.
Captioned performance, 1 December, 6.30pm and 11 December, 8pm. Auslan interpreted performance, 10 December, 8pm. Audio described performance, 5 December, 2pm.
Rules for Living
Frenetically funny, Rules for Living is the most deliciously dysfunctional family Christmas lunch you'll ever attend.
Additional Information
Captioned Performances
Captions are text descriptions that display a film's dialogue, identify speakers, and describe other relevant sounds that are otherwise inaccessible to people who are deaf or have hearing loss. The areas of the venue where the screens that will show the captions are visible can be booked by selecting the CAPTION seats.
Auslan Interpreted Performances
Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and translate what the actors are saying or singing into Auslan. A block of seats is reserved for users of this service to ensure a good view of the interpreter and the stage. The areas of the venue where the interpreters are visible can be booked by selecting the Auslan seats.
Accessible Performance and Sing & Play Sessions
Sydney Opera House in partnership with Lifestart organisation offer Accessible Sing & Play sessions. These dedicated performances are designed to ensure everyone is able to enjoy the theatre experience in a supportive, friendly and relaxed environment. The Sing & Play session is offered in the foyer area after the performance and includes a range of fun play activities supported by the Lifestart team. A supported music program based on the musical themes from the performance is also provided and facilitated by our very own Sing & Play music therapist.
Relaxed Performances
Relaxed performances are open to everyone, but with modifications to sound and lighting to be more suited for children on the autism spectrum, individuals with other disabilities that create sensory sensitivities and anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment.
Audio Described Performances
An audio description service is a live commentary of the visual elements of a performance by trained volunteer audio describers for those who are blind or have low vision. Audio description is relayed via a free headset and receiver linked to the FM radio system. This service can be booked by selecting the AUDIO DESCRIBED seats when booking and collecting the headset from the Box Office prior to the performance.
Assisted Listening Devices (FM Radio System)
FM radio system provides improved listening clarity for people with hearing loss who experience difficulty and fatigue, when trying to understand speech, because of distance, reverberation, and distracting background noise. Can be used with or without hearing aids.
Audio input or any electronic sound source feeds into an FM transmitter and the FM radio frequency signal is picked up by the patrons FM receiver. FM receivers and headsets are provided free of charge and can be obtained from the nearest cloakroom prior to the performance.
The FM system is also compatible with hearing aids and cochlear implants with a "T" switch via an induction loop provided. When the hearing aid is switched to the 'T' position, the wearer will receive the program sound through the hearing aid. FM Radio Systems are available in all Kids at the House venues.
Tactile Tour
Tactile tours allow patrons who are blind or have low vision to have a hands-on experience. Depending on the production/installation, patrons are given access to costumes, props and stage set in order to capture the atmosphere of the work. Tactile tours occur before the performance.
Thank you
Please join us in thanking our donors to the Opera House’s Accessible Performances program, including the Sydney Opera House Ladies' Committee.
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