Introduction
We welcome all visitors to Sydney Festival events and make every effort to ensure the program is accessible to our whole audience.
We would like to thank the members of the Sydney Festival Access and Inclusion Advisory Panel for their expert advice and advocacy:
Coral Arnold
Morwenna Collett
Riana Head-Toussaint
Julie Jones
Greg Killeen
Vanessa Lucas
Naomi Malone
Liz Martin
Paul Nunnari
Sydney Festival's Access and Inclusion program is brought to you in partnership with Radio 2RPH.
Radio 2RPH aims to inform, educate and entertain New South Wales’ listeners. The radio reading service features readings from the top daily newspapers, international and Australian magazines, and books for those with print disabilities, lack of access to published material or lifestyles that limit time for reading and remaining informed. The on-air programs, including book readings, are read and presented by volunteers and can be heard between 6:30am and 11:30pm each day on 1224AM, 100.5FM, and on digital.
Accessible Festival Guide
The 2021 Sydney Festival Highlights Guide is available in the following alternative formats:
Vision
AUDIO DESCRIPTION
Trained audio describers provide live verbal descriptions of actions, costumes, scenery and other visual elements of the performance between gaps in the dialogue on stage via a discreet headset. Tactile tours allow patrons who are blind or have low vision and their companions to explore the set, props and costumes prior to the performance. Patrons must book the service in advance.
Explicit Contents
The edge of the body has disappeared; the environment has seeped inside and come to live amongst body parts; the nervous system feels far beyond the skin.
Campbelltown Arts Centre
9 January, 4.30pm. Tactile tour starts at 4pm
The Complication of Lyrebirds
The Complication of Lyrebirds is a contemporary dance work designed to break away from the social expectations of what it means to look or sound Aboriginal.
Campbelltown Arts Centre
23 January, 4.30pm. Tactile tour starts at 4pm
AUDITORY CONTENT
Shows with this symbol indicate which shows are highly auditory and have low visual content, which can aid people who are blind or have low vision decide whether they can access a show.
SHOW PROGRAMS
Where applicable, show programs are available via the relevant event pages as an accessible Word document.
ASSISTANCE ANIMALS
Assistance animals are welcome at all Festival events and venues, bookings are essential. If you are blind or have low vision and want to attend an event at Sydney Festival, Guide Dogs NSW/ACT can provide you with free training on how to travel safely from any location to your event at the Festival. Call 1800 804 805 to discuss your travel needs.
Hearing
AUSLAN INTERPRETED PERFORMANCE
Auslan interpreted performances are for audiences who are Deaf and use Australian Sign Language (Auslan). Experienced Auslan theatre interpreters stand to the side of the stage and interpret dialogue and any text into Auslan, signing live. Audiences requiring this service are seated in the section closest to the interpreter to ensure good sightlines.
Explicit Contents
The edge of the body has disappeared; the environment has seeped inside and come to live amongst body parts; the nervous system feels far beyond the skin.
Campbelltown Arts Centre
9 January, 4.30pm.
Sunshine Super Girl
A celebration of tennis legend Evonne Goolagong’s inspiring story, told with signature dry Australian wit.
Sydney Town Hall
16 January, 7.30pm
The Complication of Lyrebirds
The Complication of Lyrebirds is a contemporary dance work designed to break away from the social expectations of what it means to look or sound Aboriginal.
Campbelltown Arts Centre
23 January, 4.30pm.
The Rise and Fall of Saint George
Paul Mac and friends celebrate the queer community and pay homage to a musical legend
Barangaroo Reserve
15 January, 8pm.
As the event is currently on waitlist only, please contact access@sydneyfestival.org.au as there is a small allocation held on reserve.
The Vigil
The Vigil returns, offering an opportunity to gather together and experience a night of performance and reflection on the eve of Australia Day.
For best viewing of the Auslan interpreter, please contact access@sydneyfestival.org.au to make a booking.
Barangaroo Reserve
25 January, 8pm
WugulOra Morning Ceremony
For best viewing of the Auslan interpreter, please contact access@sydneyfestival.org.au to make a booking.
Barangaroo Reserve
26 January, 7.30am
CAPTIONING
For people who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing, theatre captioning is an accurate text display of a theatre performance in its entirety, including actors’ dialogue, ad libs, song lyrics, musical descriptions and other sound effects. Displayed on screens at the side of the stage and/or via the GoTheatrical! mobile app.
H.M.S. Pinafore
Jump aboard a hilarious, sexy and sequin-spangled take on a Gilbert and Sullivan masterpiece.
Riverside Theatres
17 January, 2pm
Impacts of Isolation
After a year to forget, it’s time to take stock of how the pandemic has changed our lives.
Streaming on facebook.com/sydneyfestival
19 January, 6pm
Memory, Memorial & Truth
In a world of alternative facts, how do we establish the boundaries of objective truth?
Livestream page
14 January, 6pm
A celebration of tennis legend Evonne Goolagong’s inspiring story, told with signature dry Australian wit.
Sydney Town Hall
16 January, 2pm
Via GoTheatrical app only
Sex, Drugs and Pork Rolls
Raw and powerful storytelling from Western Sydney opening the veins of our multicultural heartland.
Riverside Theatre
21 January, 9pm
The Last Season
Force Majeure’s provoking new work of dance theatre explores human survival and environmental destruction.
Carriageworks
9 January, 2pm
The Art of Nature
How can our artists shape the way we think about the environment?
Livestream page
21 January, 6pm
ASSISTIVE LISTENING
The Assistive Listening Systems symbol indicates which venues provide hearing augmentation and amplification. Ensure you inform us when booking so you can be seated in the relevant area of the theatre.
Assistive listening systems / hearing loops available at:
City Recital Hall
Riverside – all theatres
Ensemble Theatre
Seymour Centre – all theatres
State Theatre
Sydney Town Hall – Centennial Hall
VISUAL CONTENT
A guide for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
100% visual content. Contains no music or dialogue.
52 ACTIONS
Carol McGregor and Judy Watson
Defying Empire: 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial
Lindy Lee: Moon in a Dew Drop
Mariw Minaral (Spiritual Patterns)
Rooftop Projections
Space YZ
The Colour Line
75% visual content. Fully captioned or has minimal dialogue, some background music and/or sounds.
AutoCannibal
Fractures & Frequencies
Groundswell
H.M.S. Pinafore
Humans 2.0
Sex, Drugs & Pork Rolls
Spirit: A Retrospective 2021
Sensory Friendly
RELAXED
Designed for patrons with disability and their families or anyone who may benefit from a more relaxed environment (this may include people with a learning or physical disability, autistic spectrum condition or sensory sensitivities). Relaxed performances usually have slight modifications to sound and lighting, support aids and an open-door policy with a dedicated quiet area.
Explicit Contents
The edge of the body has disappeared; the environment has seeped inside and come to live amongst body parts; the nervous system feels far beyond the skin.
Campbelltown Arts Centre
9 January, 4.30pm.
The Complication of Lyrebirds
The Complication of Lyrebirds is a contemporary dance work designed to break away from the social expectations of what it means to look or sound Aboriginal.
Campbelltown Arts Centre
23 January, 4.30pm.
Mobility
Sydney Festival ensures that its venues are as physically accessible as possible.
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS
The wheelchair symbol indicates the venue/location is wheelchair accessible or has been made accessible for Sydney Festival. Designated wheelchair spaces (where available) will be sold at the lowest full price in the house for that performance. For access information on specific venues visit sydneyfestival.org.au/venues.
Booking
Bookings are essential for all accessible services.
To discuss your access requirements and to book the most appropriate seating for any access services or performances, please call Sydney Festival on 02 8248 6500 or email access@sydneyfestival.org.au. Sydney Festival is happy to receive phone calls via the National Relay Service.
We encourage booking tickets prior to Friday 18 December 2020. Seats cannot be guaranteed after this date although we will always do our best to accommodate your request. All access performance tickets will be sold at the lowest full price in the house for that performance.
Bookings for Auslan interpreted and captioned performances can be made online by entering the promotional code SF21ACCESS during purchase
Companion Card
Sydney Festival supports the Companion Card program. Companion Card holders qualify for a second ticket at no cost for their companion. Please contact Sydney Festival directly on 02 8248 6500 to assist with your booking.
Disability Inclusion Action Plan
The Sydney Festival Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) supports the Festival's commitment to welcome everyone in Sydney, regardless of accessibility needs, and provides our organisation with strategic direction in addressing accessibility issues.
Download a copy of the 2019–20 Disability Inclusion Action Plan as a PDF or Word document.
Get In Touch
Your feedback helps us continue to improve our access program and services. Please get in touch with us on 02 8248 6500 or access@sydneyfestival.org.au if you have any queries or suggestions regarding accessibility at Sydney Festival.
