We welcome all visitors to Sydney Festival events and are committed to making the festival a safe and accessible space for everyone.
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
Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022 - 2024
+
Our Disability Inclusion Action Plan highlights our work to date and outlines our approach for further improving accessibility and inclusion for people with disability across all aspects of our festival.
It reinforces and focuses our work to ensure we include and represent people with disability – as artists, audiences, staff, partners, donors and other stakeholders.
We want all members of the community to have the opportunity to experience our festival and this plan acts as our Roadmap to how to we will continue to work towards this over the next three years.
Read our Disability Inclusion Action Plan 2022 - 2024 in the following formats:
Accessible Festival Guide
+
The 2023 Sydney Festival preview guide is available in the following formats:
Braille (please contact Sydney Festival on 02 8248 6500 or email access@sydneyfestival.org.au)
Audio CD (please contact Sydney Festival on 02 8248 6500 or email access@sydneyfestival.org.au)
Vision
+
AUDIO DESCRIPTION
Audio description is a service provided for patrons who are blind or have low vision. Audio describers give live, verbal descriptions of actions, costumes, scenery, and other visual elements of a performance. This is done during gaps in the dialogue via a small earpiece, provided to patrons pre-show. The audio description begins 10 minutes prior to the performance and provides program details together with descriptions of costumes and stage settings. Patrons must book the service in advance and pick up a free FM headset on arrival.
A Broadcast Coup Audio Described performances on 23rd February at 11:00am and 25th February at 3:30 pm
TACTILE TOURS
Tactile tours allow patrons who are blind or have low vision to have a hands-on experience. Depending on the production/installation, patrons are given access to costumes, props and stage set in order to capture the atmosphere of the work. Tactile tours occur before the performance. Patrons must book in advance.
Two best friends save the world’s last Tassie Tiger and discover First Nations culture on the way in this magical work of family theatre. Sydney Opera House, Drama Theatre 8 January, 1 pm (Audio description during show, tactile tour commences prior to show at 12pm)
Inspired by performer Debra Keenahan’s lived experience comes a powerful new work reflecting on the blasé ill-treatment of people viewed as ‘outside the norm’. Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre 14 January, 8 pm (Audio description during show, tactile tour commences prior to show at 7.15pm)
Frida Kahlo: The Life of an Icon This absorbing interactive exhibition takes you beyond Frida Kahlo’s art and into the pivotal moments of her life and work, a unique way to experience a defiantly original feminist icon. The Cutaway at Barangaroo 19 January and 22 January, 10 am (Audio description including tactile tour)
PRE-SHOW NOTES Pre-show notes are available upon request for any production. Please email access@sydneyfestival.org.au
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 d/Deaf or hard of hearing 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.
Tracker Wiradjuri man Alec “Tracker” Riley was a highly skilled tracker and local legend. Uncover his story in this rich new example of First Nations dance and storytelling. Carriageworks, Bay 20 14 January, 1pm
Tracker - In Conversation Register to join in person for an engrossing discussion hosted by Emily McDaniel (Director First Nations at the Powerhouse Museum) with guests Daniel Riley, Rachael Maza and Jonathan Jones (creators of Tracker), along with Aunty Ann and Aunty Shirley (granddaughters of Uncle Alec Riley, the tracker who inspired the work). Carriageworks, Bay 20 14 January, 2.15pm
Othering Inspired by performer Debra Keenahan’s lived experience comes a powerful new work reflecting on the blasé ill-treatment of people viewed as ‘outside the norm’. Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre 14 January, 8pm
Janet’s Vagrant Love Hard-hitting truths about raising young Blak men as a single mum, delivered in a beautiful blend of music, drama and wry wit. 30 years of original song, 42 years of heart beating, and a millennia of returning spirit. Belvoir St Theatre, Downstairs 20 January, 7.15pm
Guttered Performed in a ten-pin bowling alley, this family-friendly immersive dance work explores glory, failure and the dignity of risk. Kicks Tenpin & Arcade 21 January, 1pm
Holding Achilles A story of war, grief and love, Holding Achilles is the epic tale of a fearless bond between heroes. Carriageworks, Bay 17 22 January, 5pm
Retrosplash Live your 1980s pool party fantasy, when immersive workout meets aqua aerobics extravaganza in Retrosplash! Ashfield Aquatic Centre 28 January, 6pm
ROOM James Thierrée, master of the sublimely surreal spectacle, returns with a hallucinatory new show. Roslyn Packer Theatre 24 January, 7.30pm
Vigil: Awaken On the evening of 25 January we bring together the peoples of Eora, look out across the water from Barangaroo reserve and awaken Me-Mel. Barangaroo Reserve 25 January, 8pm
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.
Sun & Sea A contemporary opera in-the-round, also in-the-sand, addresses the climate emergency with humour and power. Sydney Town Hall 8 January, 3.30 pm
Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice cream The wildly versatile Jacob Rajan inhabits seven charismatic characters to ponder life, death and India’s vanishing vultures. Parramatta Riverside Theatres, Lennox Theatre 22 January, 4 pm
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:
A guide for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
100% visual content. Contains no music or dialogue.
Jenny Kee: The Aunties
Eternity is now: highlights from the Brett Whiteley Studio Collection
Flight
Paul Yore: WORD MADE FLESH
Sharks
The Party
Thea Anamara Perkins: Stockwoman
75% visual content. Fully captioned or has minimal dialogue, some background music and/or sounds.
Cupid's Koi Garden
Frida Kahlo: The Life of an Icon
The Air Between Us
The Artist
Tip Duck
Brenda L Croft: Naabami (thou shall/will see): Barangaroo (army of me)
Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in Lego Bricks
The Huxleys: Bloodlines
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.
Acrobats and musicians vibe in joyous synergy, a spirited expression of the strength and joy of African culture. Parramatta Riverside Theatres, Riverside Theatre 11 January, 7pm.
You can view the visual story guide for Afrique en Cirque below.
This absorbing interactive exhibition takes you beyond Frida Kahlo’s art and into the pivotal moments of her life and work, a unique way to experience a defiantly original feminist icon. The Cutaway at Barangaroo 28 January, 10am, 10.15 am and 10.30am. Additional relaxed performance: 25 Feb - 10am, 10:15 am and 10:30am
You can view the visual story guide for Afrique en Cirque below.
Hard-hitting truths about raising young Blak men as a single mum, delivered in a beautiful blend of music, drama and wry wit. 30 years of original song, 42 years of heart beating, and a millennia of returning spirit. Belvoir St Theatre, Downstairs 20 January, 7.15 pm
An inspiring, involving and highly original all-ages dance work performed in a bowling alley, where you can bowl a game afterwards. Kicks Tenpin, Parramatta Leagues Club, Friday 20 January, 2pm, Saturday 21 January, 1pm.
Humans pull the strings but insects rule the ring in this enthralling marionette show for all ages. Seymour Centre, Reginald Theatre 19 January, 3.30pm, 21 January, 10am
Two strangers on a journey to become who they always were lead this playful queer rom-com set in the awkward online worlds of your Millennial youth. Eternity Playhouse 21 January, 2pm
Every day at 4:15 pm there will be a relaxed performance.
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.
Bookings for Auslan-interpreted and captioned performances can be made online by selecting seats marked ‘Auslan-interpeted’ or ‘captioned’. Bookings for tactile tours & headsets for audio described performances can be made via contacting our customer service team.
We encourage booking tickets prior to Friday 16 December. Seats cannot be guaranteed after this date although we will always do your best to accommodate our request.
To discuss your access requirements, make bookings or give us feedback call 02 8248 6500 or email access@sydneyfestival.org.au
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.
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.
Create an account
Plan your festival! save your favourite events and share with friends.
