PEOPLE with  neurodiverse conditions and their families, who may usually avoid going to the theatre, were treated to a special inclusive performance of a Basingstoke drama society’s latest production.

On Wednesday, November 15, Basingstoke Amateur Musical Society (BATS) hosted a relaxed performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at The Haymarket – the first time in BATS' 60-year history that this has been done.

Before the performance BATS' president Richard Bond came onto stage and introduced all the actors and their characters and explained some of the scenes to the audience to make them familiar with both the production and its cast.

The group also turned down the volume, reduced the harsh lighting and altered the choreography to make the performance as accessible as possible. 

Following the performance, Richard said: “It was amazing, it exceeded my expectations, it was everything I wanted it to be and then some.

“We’ve been looking at doing a relaxed performance for a few years, but when we put on a show, we have to take around £8,000 to cover our costs.

“We then received funding from corporate sponsors, Hampshire county councillors and the Greenham Trust which meant we could give tickets away.”

Tickets were given to the likes of Mencap Basingstoke, Sebastian’s Action Trust, Dove House School Academy and Loddon School.

A British Sign Language interpreter was also present and a visual guide including an introduction to The Haymarket and the characters was emailed to audience members before the show.

David Honeywell, who played Joseph, said: “To know that we can take something really special and make it available for everyone is incredible. We worked really hard and it is great how it turned out.”

Feedback from the audience to the BATS' cast included: “We have been to a number of relaxed performances over the years, but no one has ever come onto the stage to introduce the cast and explain a little about what is going to happen - what an excellent idea and thank you for doing this.”

Borough and county councillor Jacky Tustain, who supported BATS to put on the relaxed performance, attended the event with her son John who has Down’s Syndrome.

She said: “This is something that we need more of, to make theatre and the arts more accessible to everybody.”