Children with sensory loss experience joy of the panto with north-east Scottish charity
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Children with sight and hearing loss have been able to experience the joy of a Christmas pantomime thanks to a special trip organised by a north-east Scottish charity.
A group of more than 20 children went to see Dick Whittington at Aberdeen Arts Centre on Saturday, accompanied by several parents and staff from North East Sensory Services (NESS). The production was British Sign Language (BSL)-interpreted, so children with hearing loss could understand the action, and the group was seated near the front to allow those with sight loss to see the stage.
The trip was organised by NESS’s Young People’s Sensory Service (YPSS), which supports children with forms of sensory loss as they build confidence, self-esteem, and life skills. By offering a range of activities, trips, and social groups, the service helps young people and their families build friendships, try new experiences, and have fun.
The panto trip has become a much-anticipated annual event in the NESS calendar, and for some of the children involved it is their first experience of the theatre. All YPSS activities are reliant on charitable grants, with this year’s trip being part-funded by Aberdeen City Council’s Youth Activity Grant.
Cast of Dick Whittington at Aberdeen Arts Centre in full costume with children and young people and NESS team. Photo by NESS.
For BSL interpreters, working on a panto requires a great deal of skill, as the right balance must be found to ensure they can be understood by both children and adults simultaneously. They must also be able to get across the personality, emotions, and behaviour of each character while the production unfolds, as well as interpreting songs. One of the young people who saw the panto with NESS said the experience was “amazing”, describing the production as “fantastic, very funny and a great experience”.
NESS’s overriding mission is to achieve independence for blind and deaf people. Its YPSS works with hundreds of children and parents across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Moray and Dundee. From support groups for parents of babies with sensory loss, to guidance for teenagers about to enter the workplace, the team works with young people from infancy to adulthood to enable them to get the most out of life.
As well as theatre trips, other YPSS activities include horse riding, paddle boarding and climbing, from which some children with sensory loss may previously have been excluded. The aim is to support them as they try new things, building their confidence, independence and social skills and opening up fresh ambitions.
Diana Daneels, YPSS co-ordinator at NESS“Our group had an amazing time at the panto this year, it is always such a memorable occasion for them as excitement builds in the run-up to Christmas. During previous trips, we have had families where both parents and children are deaf and who have never been to the theatre before, as they felt it wasn’t something they could participate in."
“The looks on their faces when they experience their first panto is priceless, especially when the kids realise it is interactive and they are allowed to ‘boo’ the actors as much as they want. We’re so grateful for our amazing interpreters, who open up the theatre world for our deaf group and make it inclusive. We can’t wait to come back again next year.”
Martin Simpson, a parent who went on the trip“You could see that the peer group that went had a fantastic afternoon, not just because of the fantastic show put on, but the opportunity to just share some quality time together.”
Amy Liptrott, creative director of Aberdeen Arts Centre“We are delighted that the group from North East Sensory Services enjoyed their annual visit to our panto at Aberdeen Arts Centre at the weekend. It was fantastic to have them with us! As a community arts charity, we are committed to making the arts accessible to everyone. Pantomime in particular is an opportunity for us to help people come together and experience the joy of live entertainment, sometimes for the first time."
“We are passionate about removing barriers so NESS and other audience members can enjoy festive cheer at our BSL-signed performances now and into the future.”
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