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A unique theatrical experience which genuinely puts the sense of play back into Shakespeare and is truly interactive. Flute Theatre is unique.
Lyn Gardner TheGuardian ★★★★★
Flute Theatre creates ground-breaking productions of Shakespeare for autistic individuals and their families using the Hunter Heartbeat Method created by Artistic Director Kelly Hunter.
Up to twelve autistic individuals become the participants for each performance, sitting with seven actors in a circle on our stage. Their families or carers can join us in the circle or sit just behind to watch. The actors invite the participants to experience Shakespeare’s story through highly enjoyable sensory games of storms, fishermen, pirates and magic, which everyone plays together. Each performance is adapted to the specific needs of the participants, however complex they may be.
“Today was the first day I forgot myself and was just there”
Autistic participant
“Today I took my autistic son to Pericles for Autistic Individuals by Flute Theatre at Riverside Studios and we had the most incredible experience. I wasn’t sure about it when I booked, because I didn’t know if Arlo would engage with it at all, but they said that it was totally interactive and tailored to the needs of the participants, however complex, so I gave it a go. From the moment the actors arrived to meet us in the cafe I knew it was going to be very special. With rhythmic singing and engagement movements, they totally met each participant at their level. Arlo was quickly scooped up by someone and spun around, the actor working with him seemed to instinctively know what he liked and what he needed. So often, even the most “inclusive” experiences ask autistic kids to fit into the world as we want it, this was a show that was very much in Arlo’s world. And different kids had different worlds - all were included. My younger daughter also joined in and she was included alongside the participants. It was very relaxed. Sometimes I joined in alongside them, sometimes I said and watched. At different points, both kids needed me for different reasons and that was totally fine. I’ve honestly never experienced anything like it. Flute Theatre does it every school holidays with different performances tailored to different age groups, and it costs a fiver per family. It’s just amazing. We will be back in October. If you have an autistic child you need to go. Thank you so much to Flute Theatre for creating it and to Riverside Studios for supporting it - I can’t tell you how much it means to our family”. Parent
If you are interested in watching our performance as an observer only, we have a limited number of “Observer’s Seats” for each performance. Please call to book.
Show running time 90 minutes
All participants and their families are welcome to join the cast for 30 minutes tea and biscuits after the performance in the theatre foyer.
Tuesday 24th October – Friday 27th October 10.30 10 years and under
Monday 23rd October – Friday 27th October 14.00 11 years plus, no max age limit
Tickets £5 per family.
To book please CALL 02082371000 (Riverside Studios Box Office). No online bookings.
For more information about FluteTheatre visit https://flutetheatre.co.uk/.