Lives Changed: ENO's mission to welcome diverse audiences with open arms
That is the opera company's mission statement - sounds huge. But you'll soon see why. Firstly though, isn't opera all about soaring arias, larger-than-life sets and heavily made-up characters singing in a foreign language? Well, partially. But the English National Opera (ENO) is here to bring a new face to this historical form of performing arts.
When one considers going to the opera, the first things that might come into mind: an expensive night out, an elaborate auditorium, an elegantly choreographed spectacle on stage and surtitles interpreting sung words. While surtitles might help with the general understanding of what happens as the story unfolds, many still find plenty of other barriers not to attend an opera performance. With the cost-of-living crisis now affecting our lives more than ever, those still able to afford the occasional theatre ticket, wanting a slightly more typical night out might just turn to something effortlessly understandable, with plenty of easy laughs and iconic tunes to bop along to - the solution, naturally, is one of many commercial jukebox musicals enjoying extended runs in London's West End. So in a tremendous effort to attract new audiences and redefine what an opera can be, the ENO certainly has tricks up its sleeve.
As part of its audience engagement strategy (dubbed the “ENO Engage”), the ENO first started offering free tickets to Under 18s in 2018, which then expanded to include Under 21s for every performance, plus discounts for Under 35s. But this is just part of a wider scheme with the mission to "open up new possibilities for opera in people’s lives" - further initiatives included extensive online learning resources, residency and critic training programmes, plus school and community-exclusive events and resources just to name a few. Among many of these options for audiences to get more from their opera-going experience is their Relaxed Programme.
Relaxed performances are becoming increasingly popular in theatre shows. The main idea is that there is a relaxed attitude towards audience behaviour that would not normally be tolerated at regular performances, such as making noises, moving in and out of the auditorium. Further to a relaxed performance, some theatres also organise sensory adapted performances, where loud noises are reduced or removed and sensory-related content triggers in the show are carefully handled. Support resources such as chill out spaces, visual stories and cast introductions are also available to help prepare for the visit. Everyone is welcome at these performances, but they are developed with young children, those with learning disabilities and neurodivergent audiences in mind.
However, the ENO's take is a bit more than that. So to find out exactly what a Relaxed Performance at the ENO is all about, I sat down with Anya Chomacki, Programme Manager, ENO Engage to talk about a recent relaxed performance of Iolanthe.
W: What's the role a relaxed performance plays as part of accessibility in theatre?
A: We generally try to think about what the barriers might be for people coming to a usual show at the theatre, like making noise, or moving in and out during the show, sensory sensitivities - loud noises, lighting… We try to adapt these things or think about how we can make people more aware of them.
W: What measures are in place and what's available to help people prepare and enjoy the show?
A: We have the sonic story, which gives people an (aural) indication of when those things (loud noises) are coming up in the story, so that they are not so much of a surprise; we've got the visual story, which takes people through the story with images.
We also keep the doors open to the auditorium throughout the show, which means people can come and go as they please. The house lights stay up so it doesn't feel like they're (the audience) kept in the space, they can see the performance and the people around them a bit more; we also try to not overbook the space.
W: What would be different in a relaxed performance?
A: Although it's for anybody who wants to come and see a show, we do think about who the show is aimed at. The show is very much how you would see it from how the show is created by the director and artistic team, but we'll always make sure people are aware of any content warnings that might be distressing.
W: In terms of content in the show, are there any significant changes in a relaxed show?
A: Generally, no - we try to keep it really similar, and if we are aware, for example, that there are a lot of families coming, like this show (this performance was held on 25 Oct 2023), we think about things we might want to tone down - any content that could be slightly inappropriate.
W: Who might a relaxed performance be for?
A: Because a relaxed performance isn't aimed at young people and children necessarily, they are aimed at anybody who feels they might not want to go to a normal show, we try not to not change the content - the show is as it is, and people are experiencing it as it is intended.
W: Some of our readers may be more familiar with theatre, whereas opera may be something quite new to them. If it's someone's first time seeing opera, what might some helpful tips be to help them understand etc.?
A: The ENO is a fantastic place to come because we do all our operas in English. We think language and understanding the story is probably one of the biggest barriers, so we have surtitles that have a reflection of that story, of what the characters are saying so people can follow.
(To opera newcomers) I would just say: give it a go! If you hate it, at least you've tried it! Opera is such a huge array - from very early opera, very traditional to something a bit more contemporary.
W: What support resources or activities are there for people attending the ENO for the first time?
A: I think often when you have a big theatre like the Coliseum, it can feel quite scary just to take that step through those doors, and I think something like a relaxed performance is a really amazing opportunity to try new things.
We have costume displays, people can try stuff on and get involved, we also have a "meet the cast" moment after the show. It's quite a nice way to have a full understanding of what an opera is and all the people that are involved in creating it.
W: Thank you very much for taking the time to speak to me.
A: No problem!
For many, getting that first foot through those doors opens up a wealth of possibilities - some might just find that instant connection with opera, some might sing a bit of those tunes themselves, while others might marvel at the stagecraft behind putting together such a seamless spectacle, and continue to pursue their interests in their careers. So it is only fair to say, theatre done well, certainly does change lives.