The Grace Eyre Friendship Group have been busy getting out and about and enjoying trips to the wonderful Theatre Royal Brighton!
People with learning disabilities tell us ‘we want to have strong and supported relationships: seeing the people we want to, when we want to see them’ and that ‘we want to be part of our communities: doing the things we want to do’.
We are very grateful to the Theatre Royal Brighton for helping make this happen!
Over the past 18 months there have been many visits to the theatre, including shows and the circus, which have had people with learning disabilities singing and dancing along all evening –
- Around 40 people have seen a show at the theatre
- Between 6-8 people come along every month
- 12 people have been to the theatre 4 times in the past year
The Theatre Royal Brighton very kindly offers the Friendship Group 2 free tickets to a new show every month as part of their press allocation – this means that people with learning disabilities can see and review the show before anyone else! They are always sure to reserve extra seats too. This is so helpful as members of the Friendship Group know they will be able to see their friends, as well as enjoy the show!
Everyone who is coming along meets at the entrance hall and collects their tickets independently. They are then helped by welcoming and friendly ushers to their seats.
Here are some rave reviews from the group about the recent performances they have seen –
‘It’s good to meet friends and be out’
‘Great show! There was a wire in the sky and bikes going across it’
‘It was packed, liked the dancing in the aisles’
‘We don’t usually go out much in the evening. It’s nice because it is too expensive normally. It’s nice to go out with a group of people. We could try going for a meal or drink before or after the show’.
You can find out more about the amazing Theatre Royal in Brighton and their upcoming shows here.
You also see what the Grace Eyre Friendship Group is up to this month here.