Snow White

This year our annual pantomime visit was to Snow White at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre. The stars were Linda Lusardi, Sam Kane and the Grumbleweeds, with a superb supporting cast.

The National Blind Children’s Society had 85 excellent seats in the first four rows of the stalls and before the performance started we held three touch-tours, giving families the opportunity to go behind the scenes, on stage and to hold some of the costumes and props.

While the families were waiting for the tours we had the use of a private area in the lounge where we ate picnics and had refreshments provided by NBCS. It was also an opportunity for parents to talk confidentially to NBCS staff about any concerns they might have.  We put out tactile story books for the children and held our own children’s raffle… there were four very delighted children who won NBCS teddy bears!

NBCS helped the theatre trial a buddy system for older children who could potentially visit it independently with the services of a young person’s guide. The buddy guides were all very helpful, and although most of our children this time preferred to go on the tour with their families it is certainly something for them to consider in the future.

We had an audio-describer allocated to our party who gave out headsets to children and parents who wanted to listen to an accompanying description of the pantomime.  NBCS also provided ice creams for all the children and families in the interval – a very popular treat.

It was a very uplifting, full-of-fun pantomime and everyone had a wonderful time – there were lots of boos and hisses for the wicked Queen but in the end of course Snow White married her Prince so a very happy ending.