guide2 Herefordshire

January, 2024

Dick Whittington Dementia Friendly Panto04jan2:30 pm5:00 pm2:30 pm - 5:00 pm Courtyard, Edgar Street, Hereford, Herefordshire, HR4 9JR, UK

Dick Whittington Courtyard Hereford Panto

Event Details

Dick Whittington Dementia Friendly Panto

The Courtyard are back with the purr-fect Christmas Family Pantomime!

Following the best-selling year ever, The Courtyard’s legendary pantomime returns full of fun, excitement, and adventure!

To celebrate The Courtyard’s 25th Anniversary year we’ll be following our spirited hero Dick and his feline friend, as they pack up their handkerchief to embark on an epic adventure seeking fame and fortune.

Their magical rags to riches tale takes us on an exciting journey to London Town… but will the streets be paved with gold?

With an action-packed swashbuckling story, magnificent musical numbers, spectacular sets, electric live band, dazzling costumes and a joyfully funny script, Dick Whittington is the festive family pantomime that will leave you feeling rich beyond your wildest dreams!

As the first Dementia Friendly arts venue in the UK, The Courtyard is proud to offer people living with dementia, their families, friends and carers a carefully tailored performance in an environment that is comfortable and supportive so that everyone can enjoy the wonder of the pantomime.

We consider everything from sound and lighting, seating plans, signage and refreshment service. We offer extra flexibility when booking seats, so if you know you need a little extra personal space you can request that the seat next to you remains unsold. A quiet room outside the auditorium is also available if you need some time away from the crowd.

WHY DEMENTIA FRIENDLY?
We know from speaking to people living with dementia that it’s easy to become isolated and to not do things which you previously enjoyed. We hope that by making some sensitive adaptations to the theatre experience, we can welcome you back to The Courtyard or encourage you to try visiting us for the first time. Our aim is to create a dementia friendly community, where people living with dementia are valued and supported. We are proud that over 150 Courtyard staff and volunteers are now Dementia Friends, and have turned their understanding of dementia into action.

WHO IS IT FOR?

The Dementia Friendly performance is open to everyone but may benefit individuals living with dementia.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT TO OTHER PERFORMANCES?

• We keep the lights on low over the auditorium.
• Effects in the show are toned down, especially if they involve sudden loud noises or flashes of bright light.
• We open the doors an hour before to allow audience members enough time to get to their seats.
• There will be audience participation, but individuals will not be picked on at random.
• Sweets will not be thrown out over the audience.
• The interval is longer.
• Additional staff and stewards will be on board to help.
• A quiet room outside the auditorium is also available if you need some time away from the crowd.