Flute Theatre will run a series online interactive performances of Shakespeare’s Pericles aimed at home-bound viewers with autism and their families from 22 June until 18 July.
Originally due to be performed in UK theatres before the Covid-closedown, the production has been re-worked to allow the company to connect via Zoom to individual households.
Announcing the initiative, artistic director Kelly Hunter said: “The Covid-19 crisis has changed everything I do; in the last three months I’ve worked every day adapting my games to be played online without losing the drama, the impact and the love.
“Just as Pericles reaches across oceans to find his family, we’ve stretched ourselves to keep contact with our community of autistic individuals and in doing so we’ve created a whole new way of telling this story that we can now share with the world, one family at a time.
“The story of Pericles is one of hope in the face of adversity; our performances will offer families who feel marginalised and locked away a place to combat their isolation, express their feelings and shine their inner lights as brightly as they are able.”
Performances of Pericles will last up to an hour, with no age limits for participation and all family members invited to get involved. Flute Theatre will connect with those who want to take part and will adapt the show to suit individual needs. To book visit: www.flutetheatre.co.uk/contact
Since lockdown, the specialist theatre company dedicated to pushing the boundaries in autism-friendly performance, has been adapting the company’s work so it can be accessed and experienced online.
For Pericles, the theatrical journey is designed as an online fairground with each game offering a different sensory experience. If someone enjoys a particular game, they are welcome to stay for as long as they like. Experiences take individuals and their families into a world of pirates, kings, magicians and fishermen. At the end of the performance there will be no rush to leave, with participants being given photographic mementoes and a chance to chat with the actors involved.
The company has also created a number of online resources and games to play at home for autistic individuals and their families. They include Heartbeat Hellos – devised to provide a safe-environment to help calm nerves, anxiety and panic attacks – performed at 6pm GMT weekdays on Instagram via @flutetheatre.
Angela Thomas
www.flutetheatre.co.uk/how-to-play-at-home
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