Mouse and the Gruffalo in a production photo from the show

Access

Actors and director sitting on the floor in discussion during rehearsals

Tall Stories is committed to being as welcoming, inclusive and accessible as possible ensuring we include everyone and excite everyone’s imaginations.   

Access not only encompasses our performances, but also who we work with and how we work.  

 

Breaking Down Barriers 

We believe that every child should be able to enjoy the arts, regardless of barriers, and are passionate about creating enriching opportunities for all.  

Here are just a few ways we have engaged, and will continue to engage, with audiences over the years – we have seen many smiles as a result!

We work with Go Live Theatre Projects (formally Mousetrap) to provide subsidised tickets through their Family First Nights programme helping low-income London families experience the magic of theatre.  

We’re incredibly proud that our summer run of ‘The Gruffalo’ in 2015 included the first ever relaxed performance for the 3+ age group in the West End. 

In 2022 we organised our own Pay It Forward initiative, where families who would not usually visit the theatre were able to watch ‘The Gruffalo’ at London’s Hackney Empire, through the generosity of our ticket-buying audiences.  

Many of our performances across the UK engage with school and nursery children through reduced-priced tickets and we provide free education resources to extend theatrical experiences and enhance learning opportunities.  

We give away free theatre tickets to refugee support groups across the UK allowing traumatised families – who are learning to adapt to their new environment with little or no knowledge of English – to share wonderful theatrical experiences. 

In 2022 we partnered with The Lowry in Salford to deliver a live-streamed version of ‘Room on the Broom’ to over 700 children in Manchester hospitals over the festive period – so they didn’t miss out on the coveted annual Christmas theatre trip.  

In December 2022 we worked with deaf and hearing actors blending spoken English, British Sign Language and visual storytelling on stage with ‘The Gruffalo’, which received an overwhelming positive response from both deaf and hearing families. 

Accessible Performances

Tall Stories aims to provide accessible performances for all our shows accommodating deaf, disabled, visually impaired and neurodivergent audiences.

Working in partnership with venues across the UK and beyond, we offer a variety of accessible performances with integrated British Sign Language – our signers don’t just stand on the side of the stage, they get involved with the action; captioned and audio described performances with touch tours where audiences can familiarise themselves with the set and props; and relaxed performances for those who need a more laid back environment to enjoy the show.

Click on the blue access symbols below for more information about our accessible performances and where they are showing.

The BSL logo on a blue background

British Sign Language

View Performances
RP on a blue background.

Relaxed Performances

View Performances
TT on a blue background.

Touch Tours

View Performances
Audio Described Logo on a blue background.

Audio Described

View Performances

Access to Venues and Our Studio  

When booking our tours, we prioritise accessibility and programme Tall Stories shows in accessible venues, where possible. Please refer to each venues’ accessibility guidelines when booking tickets.  

Tall Stories’ studio space on Holloway Road in Islington, London is an accessible space for audiences and workshop participants – click here for full access and visiting information.  

We are continually adapting and working to improve accessibility for creatives and industry professionals wishing to use the studio.  

A woman wearing a black sleeveless top looking at another woman holding a script.

Casting and Work With Us  

Tall Stories is open and inclusive in our approach to casting and our recruitment processes.  

We are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all performers and creatives regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, physical appearance or socio-economic background.  

All opportunities for individuals, artists and companies can be found here.

Website Accessibility  

Tall Stories believes everyone should be able to use our website, no matter what their access requirements are, or which technology is used. 

Click here to read our website accessibility statement.  

 

Marketing Materials  

All our marketing flyers and free production programmes are available in large print text (in PDF format) on request. Please email info@tallstories.org.uk if you would like to be sent a copy.  

All images on our social media channels include ALT text describing the appearance or function of the image.