Relaxed Performance

Join musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra for a playful, interactive introduction to orchestral music.

Featuring 25 musicians performing a range of music in ways you’ve never imagined, this event is specially designed for people who may find traditional concerts challenging to attend, including adults and children with learning disabilities, movement disorders, sensory impairments, autistic spectrum disorder, dementia and other neurological conditions, or those with young children or babies.

Including interactive elements, close-up experiences of the musicians, BSL interpretation, Makaton singalong, and gentle sensory elements, this performance is relaxed, so attendees are welcome to enjoy the concert without worry. There will be opportunities to sing, dance, move about or just listen as preferred, and ‘chill out’ spaces will be available for anyone needing some quiet time before re-entering the auditorium. At the end of the concert, optional post-concert activities will invite you to try your hand at a range of musical activities, led by the RPO musicians themselves.

Timeline for the day:

1.15pm - 1.40pm: Sensory Introduction for audiences with sensory impairments (please book these as add-ons when registering your tickets for the main event)

1.40pm - 2pm: Auditorium doors open, audience take seats

2pm - c.2.50pm: Performance in Auditorium. Audiences are welcome to leave and return as required during the performance.

2.50pm - 3.20pm: Optional post-concert activities in smaller audience groups

Need to know

Audience members with vision or hearing impairments who would benefit from familiarisation visits are invited to join members of the Orchestra for a short (c20min) pre-concert sensory introduction from 1.15pm.

Seating will be spaced out between groups to allow for easy movement within your group, with your choice of floor seats (mats will be provided) or chairs. See the seating chart and example photographs below for more information, and please select which type of seating your group prefers when registering for tickets.

Social stories introducing the venue and the show will be shared in advance of performances to bookers via email.

Specific seats or spaces will be allocated on arrival, but the seating type you select when booking will be available.