The spectacular set of Broadway musical ‘Wicked’ has clinched many a prestigious award.
From the dazzling hues of the Emerald City, to the dramatic moment Elphaba defies gravity, it’s a voyage of colour and commotion as the witches travel to the Land of Oz.
And for those who have lost their sight, they certainly do not need to miss out, thanks to a team of special volunteers whose job is to bring the set to life.
His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen opened its doors at the weekend to host a special performance of the award-winning musical for those who are visually impaired.
A team of audio describers – people who give up their time free of charge – provided a captivating description of what was happening on stage in between the dialogue and singing, aswell as setting the scene for what was to come.
In addition, a touch tour took place before the show, allowing the audience to walk on stage, feel the set, props and costumes and meet the cast to help build a picture of the show ahead.
“Audio describers are quite simply people who enjoy the theatre and want to share it with others,” explained one of the team, Mhairi Shewen.
“There’s absolutely no reason why people who are visually impaired should miss out.”
The team of 10 audio describers work on a rota at His Majesty’s, covering various shows throughout the showbiz calendar.
So far this year, they have assisted special performances of West Side Story, Ghost and Shrek, to name just a few.
The volunteers sit through four shows before their own performance, figuring out what on-stage details need to be revealed to make the story come alive.
“The main thing is that you don’t give away the plot, or deter the audience from the acting,” said Ms Shewen.
“We have a dress rehearsal to figure what will work and what will not.
“It makes you appreciate the time and effort that goes into creating such massive productions.”
On Saturday afternoon, the theatre-goers got the chance to meet some of the cast, including Samuel Edwards who plays Fiyero, who described what their characters are like and let them touch the costumes and wigs.
Ms Shewen said the artists behind the show want to share what they have created and give each person who attends the theatre the ultimate experience.
“They love what they do and want to share what they have loved creating,” she said.
“Wicked has been amazing – from Glinda’s ball gown to the giant hands of the clock, it was an exciting show to be part of.”