A CALL has been made for more theatres to stage autism-friendly pantomimes so that more families in Scotland can enjoy the festive fun.
Welcoming the progress that some theatres have made in making their programmes more accessible, SNP MSP Mark McDonald, right, urged the rest to follow their example. He said too many individuals with autism are missing out on the Christmas tradition because shows are often too loud and bright for them.
The Aberdeen Donside MSP praised His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen for the autism-friendly performance of Peter Pan it is putting on todayDecember 21 and the King's Theatre in Glasgow for holding a relaxed Snow White show on January 8 but said more theatres across Scotland should join them.
“Attending a pantomime over the festive season is a Christmas tradition which many families take for granted – but it’s something that people with autism too often miss out on,” said McDonald, a long-time campaigner on autism issues.
“That’s why it’s such excellent news that His Majesty’s Theatre are putting on an autism friendly performance of Peter Pan this year – a demonstration of the real progress we have made in recent years in helping theatre become more accessible for people with autism.
“I am now calling on all panto organisers across Scotland to look at what we’ve achieved in Aberdeen and to think about how they can adapt their pantomimes to allow people with autism to enjoy the show as well.
“The fact an estimated 50,000 people in Scotland have autism highlights exactly why we need more autism-friendly shows to allow all families across Scotland to be able to celebrate the festive season by attending a pantomime.
“All it takes are small but important adjustments to make the joy of theatre as inclusive as possible – and I hope to see many more organisers follow Aberdeen’s lead and allow people with autism to take part in this festive tradition.”
Elaine C Smith, who stars as the Magical Mermaid in this year’s autism-friendly panto added: “Since its inception the relaxed performance at His Majesty’s Theatre has gone from strength to strength and is now the most popular relaxed performance in the UK - we all look forward to it as a cast and we’re so glad that we are involved in something so essential in so many people’s lives.”
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