The Wife of Willesden - Audio Described and Open Captioned Performances

A proper local legend, Alvita will tell her life story to anyone in the local West London pub—there’s no shame in her game. The question is: are you ready to hear it? Because this woman’s got the gift of the gab: she can rewrite mistakes into triumphs, turn pain into parables. And her love life? It’s an epic poem. They call her the Wife of Willesden. Join her for an evening that celebrates the human knack for telling elaborate tales, especially about our own lives. Winner of the 2022 Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Most Promising Playwright, critically acclaimed and multi award-winning best-selling author Zadie Smith transforms an excerpt from Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales into the unbelievable—and unforgettable.

Adapted by Zadie Smith from Chaucer’s The Wife of Bath

Directed by Indhu Rubasingham

A Kiln Theatre Production

What Is Audio Description?

Audio description helps to ensure that people who are blind or have low vision enjoy equal access to performances. Before the show, a trained describer details the visual elements of the production (costumes, set, props). Before the show, A.R.T. staff provides a “Touch Tour” where patrons can familiarize themselves first-hand with the textures, materials, props, and costumes used in the production. During the performance, a trained describer inserts descriptions of critical visual elements: actions, appearance of characters, body language, costumes, settings, lighting, etc. Descriptions are delivered through a wireless earphone allowing users to sit anywhere in the audience.

What Is Open Captioning?

Open captioning is a text display of words and sounds heard during an event. A professional captioner prepares the captions ahead of time and runs the captions on an LED display live during the performance. The captioner has full control over the display of the captions, allowing for precise alignment with the text of the play. The display is positioned in such a way that it is open for anyone to see in a particular seating area. It is considered passive assistance, a service that is there to use or ignore. No one is labeled as needing the captioning with special equipment required at his/her seat.
Learn more at the Theatre Development Fund