Disney’s Beauty and the Beast delivers fifth Relaxed Performance in its Australian Tour

The Sunday, 21 September, performance was held at Crown Theatre in Perth, and it was put on in collaboration with Aspect, Autism Association of Western Australia and Crown Perth. Other Relaxed Performances were previously held in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Adelaide. Relaxed Performances bring the magic of musical theatre to community members who may not feel comfortable attending in a traditional setting. These performances are designed to be inclusive of audience members who may need additional support, including those living with autism.

To create a welcoming environment, more than 30 adjustments were made to the production. These included reduced sound levels, dimmed house lights, a visual cue system to signal potentially overwhelming moments, and communication boards to support non-verbal audience members. The relaxed performance program was supported by a of team trained experts from partner organisations, as well as 65 Disney VoluntEARS who contributed a combined 455 volunteer hours to creating and running the performances across Australia since November 2023. The Perth audience of more than 1,200 added to the total of more than 5,700 who attended a Relaxed Performance of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. With one in five Australians living with a disability, this important initiative allows the joy of live theatre to be experienced by everyone. By accommodating individual support needs, Disney Theatrical Group continues to create inclusive opportunities for audiences to connect with the magic of Disney.