Disney Theatrical Group is proud to be partnering with Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and Autism Queensland to offer a relaxed performance of Beauty and the Beast on Saturday 11 May at 1.30 pm. This unique and inclusive performance will be tailored, from start to finish, to ensure audience members who may need specific support can attend, engage and feel welcomed.
A relaxed performance means that audience members will be encouraged to be completely themselves during the performance; to make sounds, move around, fidget or use noise cancelling headphones.
Aspect’s Autistic staff assessed the show and recommended modifications for the relaxed performance that consider the diversity of audience preferences, including sensory sensitivities. Adjustments include a visual story that explains the show step by step, inclusive and welcoming language used on the official website and during the ticket buying process, increased staff and volunteers to assist audience members, turning off all announcements throughout the theatre, and providing a dedicated quiet room and multiple quiet spaces for use by anyone who needs a break from the performance. Amendments to the production for the cast and crew include noise reduction, keeping the house lights dim during the performance, and employing visual cues to act as a ‘pre-warning’ mechanism prior to potentially overwhelming scenes or moments.
A short pre-show welcome will be hosted by Emma Watkins (The Wiggles, Emma Memma) and has been designed to introduce the audience to certain characters and stage effects that may be unpredictable or sensorially significant in advance. For example, the character of Lumiere’s hands are candles that light up with real fire, which will be explained in an approachable and respectful way to get the audience ready for the performance ahead.
The Walt Disney Company Australia and New Zealand Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Kylie Watson-Wheeler, said: “The Walt Disney Company is proud to have worked alongside our incredible partners in Aspect, QPAC and Autism Queensland to offer a relaxed performance of Beauty and the Beast. This tale as old as time is powerful and inspiring and we’re excited it can be offered in accessible and inclusive ways for everyone to enjoy.”
Aspect’s Autistic Consultant Emma Gallagher added; “As an Autistic Consultant, it was my pleasure to attend a regular session of Beauty and the Beast in order to provide feedback on the show and the experience along with another Autistic colleague. We conducted this assessment in order to make recommendations on modifications that will allow Autistic people and others with a disability to be able to access and enjoy the show. Representatives from Disney and QPAC have welcomed all feedback and worked hard to ensure that feedback from Autistic people is highly valued and have implemented many changes that will make the relaxed session a fun experience for those who may not be able to attend a regular session due to sensory overload. I am looking forward to attending the relaxed session knowing I have a quiet space when I need it.”
QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas acknowledged the importance of making the arts accessible to everyone. “One of our key drivers at QPAC is ensuring that everyone can experience the incredible power of live performance. We couldn’t be happier to be a part of this initiative that removes barriers for those who otherwise might not be able to enjoy this remarkable production. Disney is pulling out all stops to ensure that this performance is even more special than ever and we’re proud to stand alongside them to deliver a wonderfully inclusive experience for all.”
Pam Macrossan, CEO of Autism Queensland, expressed her gratitude towards Disney Theatrical Group and QPAC for their commitment to creating inclusive spaces for all people. “This collaboration exemplifies the importance of understanding and accommodating diverse needs within our community. Autism Queensland is proud to be part of this endeavour and we look forward to collaborating on future initiatives working towards the inclusion of all people, in all places and all spaces.”
Tickets to the relaxed performance will be available across three price points, $60, $85 and $125 with no additional ticketing fees.
In May, Beauty and the Beast will also host Audio Described and Auslan Interpreted performances. More information about these performances can be found here.
Tickets are on sale now exclusively via QPAC.
Melbourne audiences can also look forward to a Relaxed Performance during the Beauty and the Beast season at Her Majesty’s Theatre. A date is still to be announced, but to be the first to find out, sign up here.
ABOUT ASPECT
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is Australia’s largest autism-specific service provider, with one of the biggest autism-specific school programs in the world. A not-for-profit organisation, Aspect works in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum, and their families to deliver evidence-informed solutions that are person-centred, family-focused and customer driven. Aspect’s services provide people on the autism spectrum with the opportunity to realise their unique potential, as well as providing much-needed support to their families, carers, friends and colleagues. Aspect’s vision is to provide the best possible opportunities for people on the spectrum. They believe that people on the autism spectrum are a different brilliant®. For more information please visit the Aspect website.
ABOUT AUTISM QUEENSLAND
Autism Queensland is one of Australia’s longest-serving providers of autism-specific services. As Queensland state’s peak body we draw on experience gained over 56 years of operation. AQ welcomes, values, respects and has a responsibility to represent all voices of autism: autistic people (those who speak on their own behalf and those who cannot), their families and service providers and researchers dedicated to improving the lives of autistic people. Evidence-informed and personalised services include individual supports aimed at empowering autistic people to recognise their strengths and engage meaningfully; and community-focused supports, working with organisations, businesses and community groups to increase knowledge, build community capacity, and advocate for social change to create a genuinely inclusive community. We strive to support the development of every person’s potential. For further information please visit the Autism Queensland website.
ABOUT DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Based on the 1991 film – the first animated feature ever nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture – Beauty and the Beast opened on Broadway in April 1994 and garnered nine Tony nominations and one win. It played for more than 13 years on Broadway (before closing in 2007) and remains to this day one of the top 10 longest running shows in Broadway history. The 2017 live-action retelling of the animated classic starring Emma Watson quickly became the highest grossing live action film musical of all time, a record beaten only by The Lion King live-action release in 2019.
The original Australian production of Beauty and the Beast opened in Melbourne at the Princess Theatre in 1995 starring Rachel Beck in the role of Belle, Michael Cormick as the Beast, a young Hugh Jackman as Gaston, and the late Bert Newton as Cogsworth. The production played for over two years across Melbourne and Sydney and won the 1996 ARIA Award for Best Australian Soundtrack/Cast/Show Release.
The structure and tone of the story and score – as conceived for the 1991 film by its executive producer and lyricist Howard Ashman with a continued evolution for the Broadway adaptation three years later – made Disney history. Only once before – in Menken and Ashman’s previous film musical The Little Mermaid – had a Disney film been structured like a stage musical where the songs are integral to plot and characterisation rather than only ornamental or digressions. This Menken/Ashman innovation is credited with the 1990’s Disney animation renaissance that went on to create such film classics as Aladdin, The Lion King and Hunchback of Notre Dame and helped re-introduce the book musical form to popular culture.
This new stage production of Beauty retains the lush period sound of the Oscar-winning and Tony® award nominated score - which brought classics including Be Our Guest and Beauty and the Beast, as well as Change in Me, added to the musical production in 1998 and retained thereafter. New dance arrangements by David Chase, have allowed original choreographer Matt West to re-visit his work. Long-time Menken collaborators Michael Kosarin and Danny Troob are musical supervisor/vocal arranger and orchestrator, respectively.
Completing the design team, Tony® award winner John Shivers is sound designer, Darryl Maloney is the video and projections designer, and David H. Lawrence is hair designer. Jim Steinmeyer is the illusions designer, as he was on the original 1994 production.
Beauty and the Beast is produced in Australia by The Walt Disney Company and Disney Theatrical Group, under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart and Thomas Schumacher.
ABOUT DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS
Disney Theatrical Group, a division of The Walt Disney Studios, was formed in 1994 and operates under the direction of Andrew Flatt, Anne Quart and Thomas Schumacher. Worldwide, its ten Broadway titles have been seen by more than 200 million theatregoers and have been nominated for 62 Tony® Awards, winning Broadway’s highest honour 20 times.
The company’s inaugural production, Beauty and the Beast, opened in 1994, playing a remarkable 13-year run on Broadway and produced in replica productions around the world over four decades. In November 1997, Disney made theatrical history with the opening of The Lion King, which received six 1998 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Director, Julie Taymor, who became the first woman in Broadway history to the win the award.
Surpassing 25 landmark years on Broadway, it has welcomed 112 million visitors worldwide to date and has nine productions currently running worldwide. The Lion King has played over 100 cities in 24 countries on every continent except Antarctica and its worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or entertainment title in box office history.
Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida opened on Broadway next, winning four 2000 Tony Awards. It was followed by Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, which opened in London in 2004 and went on to enjoy a six-year Tony-winning Broadway run. Tarzan®, Tony-nominated for its 2006 Broadway premiere, went on to become an international hit with an award-winning production enjoying a ten-year run in Germany. In January 2008, The Little Mermaid opened on Broadway and was the best-selling new musical of that year. Disney Theatrical Group opened two critically acclaimed productions on Broadway in 2012, winning seven Tony Awards between them: Peter and the Starcatcher and Newsies, each of which enjoyed a two-year run and launched North American tours, with Newsies playing a record-breaking Fathom Events in-cinema release. Aladdin, Disney Theatrical Group’s 2014 hit, continues its smash Broadway run. It has launched nine productions around the globe and been seen by more than 17 million guests. Disney Theatrical Group’s newest hit, the 2018 Tony-nominated Best Musical Frozen currently has four productions around the world.
Other stage ventures include the Olivier-nominated London hit Shakespeare in Love, stage productions of Disney’s High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin and King David in concert on Broadway. Disney Theatrical Group has collaborated with the nation’s preeminent theatres to develop new stage musicals including The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Freaky Friday and Hercules.
As a part of the recent acquisition of 21st Century Fox, Disney Theatrical Group also heads the Buena Vista Theatrical banner, which licenses Fox titles for stage adaptations including Anastasia, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Mrs. Doubtfire.
With dozens of productions currently produced or licensed, a Disney musical is being performed professionally somewhere on the planet virtually every hour of the day. Next on the Disney Theatrical schedule: the world-premiere of Hercules in Hamburg, Germany and the North American tour of a reimagined production of Beauty and the Beast in 2025.