In our 2021 Season we put on four Discovery Matinees and Relaxed Performances. This project was designed to welcome people who want to try opera out for the first time in a relaxed environment, and those who love opera but find the usual theatre-going experience inaccessible.
What was on offer
- Free tickets – many of the tickets for the Discovery Matinees were allocated as part of our Under 18s and Over 65s free ticket schemes. Find out more about the schemes here.
- Subsidised tickets – ticket prices were reduced for the Discovery Matinees, to let audiences try opera without breaking the bank. Prices ranged from £22–50, with half price access tickets available for disabled people and a companion or carer.
- Relaxed Performance – every Discovery Matinee was adapted to suit people who find it difficult to follow the usual conventions of theatre behaviour, and those who prefer a more relaxed environment. Find out more.
- Audio-description – Discovery Matinees were audio-described for blind and partially-sighted audiences. Audio-description offers additional commentary explaining the action on stage, including singers’ body language, expressions and movements. Find out more.
- Weekend afternoon performances – a 2pm start to each Discovery Matinee allowed families to fall in love with opera together.
