Relaxed Performance Consultancy- Poland

In December 2025 we collaborated with Fundacja Katarynka to advocate for Relaxed Performances in Poland…

We were pleased to partner with Fundacja Katarynka, a leading foundation dedicated to improving access to cultural events across Poland, to provide training and consultancy on relaxed performances. This project marks a significant milestone for us, as it represents our first international commission, reflecting the growing global interest in relaxed performances and inclusive audience experience.

Fundacja Katarynka invited us to collaborate based on our long-standing expertise in this field. Our journey began in 2009, when we developed the first SEND schools performance of The Lion King. In 2012, we delivered London’s West End’s first Relaxed Performance of Shrek The Musical, paving the way for industry-wide change. Since then, we have championed relaxed performance models, delivering 13  across major West End productions and providing consultancy for theatres organising their own relaxed performances.

The aim of a relaxed performance is to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for people who find the standard theatre-going experience challenging for reasons such as neurodiversity, autism, sensory sensitivity, Tourette syndrome and anxiety.  This environment is supported in the following ways:

Adjustments to the technical elements of the show.  ​

Supporting noise and movement within the auditorium during the show and allows audiences to leave and re-enter as they need to.   ​

House lights are kept on at a low level throughout to support movement.  ​

Chill out spaces available in front of house areas​.

A pre-show announcement from the cast​.

A visual story with a simplified version of the plot and information on the characters, as well as information about the venue are provided to audiences.

Working in partnership with Fundacja Katarynka, our Programme Manager for Young People and Families, Nancy Turner, travelled to Wrocław for a two‑day workshop and consultancy with 30 theatre professionals from across Poland. The sessions explored how to design theatre experiences that are fully accessible for audiences. Nancy provided an in‑depth introduction to the principles of a relaxed performance, alongside practical guidance on how to implement the format effectively. The visit offered a valuable opportunity to collaborate with cultural colleagues nationwide and to support theatres across Poland in adopting more inclusive performance practices.

Attendees of the training workshops were supported to:

Understand what a relaxed performance is and how to organise one.

Identify the steps required to plan and deliver their own relaxed performance.

Recognise the benefits of different supportive measures available to audiences.

Help audiences feel prepared, reassured, and confident ahead of their visit.

Feel empowered to advocate for relaxed performance practices within their own theatres.

While only 30 professionals were able to attend this particular session, over 90 theatre organisations from across Poland registered their interest in the event showing the widespread interest in relaxed performances and desire for further training of this kind.

As a follow‑up to the in‑person training day, Nancy also delivered an online webinar to 95 participants, expanding the conversation around accessibility and ensuring the learning reached an even wider audience. This shorter version of the training offered a wider range of Polish theatre professionals to gain understanding of Relaxed Performances and how to implement them at their theatres. Feedback from both the webinar and training day suggests how encouraged the Polish theatre community feel:

‘It was great. I especially appreciated the open workshop format and the way knowledge was shared on a topic that is still not widely recognised in the Polish theatre environment.’

‘What I liked the most was direct contact with a practitioner and the intimate, workshop-based atmosphere of the meeting.’

‘The most helpful elements were the practical examples of implementations, especially the pre-guides.’

‘First, I want to create quiet spaces. Later, when we have the appropriate financial resources and staff capacity, I would like to introduce pre-guides and eventually stage performances in the chilled and relaxed performance formats.’

‘In our theatre, I would like to prepare a premiere performance for children aged 5+, designed from the outset in two parallel formats: a standard version and a relaxed version.’

This collaboration felt like a meaningful first step in encouraging more theatres in Poland to embrace relaxed performances; we were encouraged to see the enthusiasm, and openness of our Polish colleagues, and it’s exciting to know that attendees are already exploring how to bring more inclusive and accessible practices into their future programmes.

We will be announcing our next Relaxed Performance for 2026 very soon- make sure you are signed up here to get all the updates!

Accessible and inclusive programmes like Relaxed Performances are simply not possible without your support.

Donate today to help ensure every child, regardless of background, has the chance to experience the transformative power of live theatre and open doors for the next generation.

If you’re a trust, foundation, company, organisation or private individual that would like to explore supporting our work in a specific way, please get in touch using the form below.

Photos: Robert Maniak