Hansel and Gretel Relaxed Performance Visual Story - Victorian Opera presents - Arts Centre Melbourne

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Hansel and Gretel Relaxed Performance Visual Story - Victorian Opera presents - Arts Centre Melbourne
Victorian Opera presents

Hansel
and
Gretel
Relaxed Performance
Visual Story
Hansel and Gretel Relaxed Performance Visual Story - Victorian Opera presents - Arts Centre Melbourne
Table of Contents
   1. Introduction

  2. The Production

   3. The Theatre

    4. The Story
Hansel and Gretel Relaxed Performance Visual Story - Victorian Opera presents - Arts Centre Melbourne
INTRODUCTION
Experience the excitement of Engelbert
Humperdinck’s opera version of the timeless fairy
tale, Hansel and Gretel. Staged with enchanting
sets and costumes. Victorian Opera’s production
brings this treasured story from the page to
the stage in a beloved operatic rendition.

Relaxed Performance
Arts Centre Melbourne is committed to providing
performances that allow everyone to experience
the wonder of theatre. This Relaxed Performance
is especially designed to welcome visitors with
access requirements and sensory sensitivities,
their friends and families to the theatre. The
atmosphere is ‘relaxed’, with some house lights
remaining on during the performance.
A quiet space will be available in the foyer if you need
to take a break. Enthusiasm is embraced and it’s okay
to move and make noise during the performance.

Contact
This visual story has been prepared by Arts Centre
Melbourne’s Access & Community team. If you would
like any additional information in the lead up to your
visit, please contact staff on 9281 8784 or
ACEteam@artscentremelbourne.com.au
Hansel and Gretel Relaxed Performance Visual Story - Victorian Opera presents - Arts Centre Melbourne
THE PRODUCTION
Venue
This production of Hansel and Gretel will be
performed at the Playhouse Theatre, which is
inside Arts Centre Melbourne Theatres building.

Length
The play is 55 minutes with no interval.

Age Recommendation
Please note that the Victoria Opera recommends
attendees be aged 5+ for this production. Families
are encouraged to review warnings and talk to staff
in order to assess appropriateness of content.
Hansel and Gretel Relaxed Performance Visual Story - Victorian Opera presents - Arts Centre Melbourne
Content Warnings
Sometimes it might be loud but don’t worry, nothing
will hurt you. If the sounds are too loud you can put
your hands over your ears or wear headphones.
You might get scared when the Witch is being
pushed into the oven. During this scene there is a few
flashes of light and she pretends to be destroyed in
the oven. Don’t worry though this is just pretend.

Theatre Guidelines
• Photography and mobile devices are not
  permitted during the performance, however if
  you need to use a device (i.e. iPad) to assist with
  communication, please inform the ushers. It’s always
  fine to use a device in the foyer or quiet areas.
• During the Relaxed Performance, a relaxed
  attitude is taken to movement, noise and eating/
  drinking in the auditorium (this is okay).
• If you need to take a break during the
  show, you are welcome to come out into the
  foyer area. A quiet space will be available,
  with low lighting and sensory items.
Hansel and Gretel Relaxed Performance Visual Story - Victorian Opera presents - Arts Centre Melbourne
THE THEATRE
Hansel and Gretel is being performed at Arts Centre
Melbourne. The theatres building has a large spire
on top.
Hansel and Gretel Relaxed Performance Visual Story - Victorian Opera presents - Arts Centre Melbourne
THE BUILDING
When you enter the building, there may be many other
people in the foyer area. There will be staff members
wearing black uniforms. They are there to
help you with any questions or directions.
Hansel and Gretel Relaxed Performance Visual Story - Victorian Opera presents - Arts Centre Melbourne
BEFORE THE PLAY
Before you go to the theatre, you’ll need a ticket.
You may already have your ticket(s), or you may
need to collect them from the Box Office.
There are many theatres inside Arts Centre Melbourne.
Follow the directions, or ask staff, to find the Playhouse
Theatre.
Hansel and Gretel Relaxed Performance Visual Story - Victorian Opera presents - Arts Centre Melbourne
THE PLAYHOUSE THEATRE
Before going inside the theatre, you may like to get
something to eat or drink, use the toilet or buy
a program.
Hansel and Gretel Relaxed Performance Visual Story - Victorian Opera presents - Arts Centre Melbourne
SEATING
For the Relaxed Performance, doors will open about
30 minutes before the play begins. You can show your
ticket to the usher before you enter, and you can
choose where you sit inside the theatre. This is called
General Admission.
DURING THE PLAY
The opera will go for approximately 55 minutes and
has no interval. If you need to take a break during the
show, you can come out into the foyer area.
A ‘Quiet Area’ with some comfortable beanbags and
soft lighting will be available. You can return to the
theatre when you’re ready.
FINAL EXPERIENCE
At the end, the audience will clap to say thank you to
the performers. You may like to stay in the theatre to
see the actors come out and answer questions from
the audience after the play.
THE STORY
After misbehaving and breaking a precious jug of
milk, Hansel and Gretel are sent into the woods by
their Mother to look for strawberries for their supper.
When Father returns with a basket of food, he is
horrified to find out Hansel and Gretel are in the
woods. The gloomy woods are where the Evil One
lives, a fearsome witch who turns children into
gingerbread and eats them. The parents rush out to
find their children.
Hansel and Gretel go deep into the woods, looking for
strawberries. It gets dark and they realise they’re lost.
A Sandman appears and helps them sleep with a
sprinkle of magic sand. They dream of angels
protecting them and in the morning, they’re awoken
by the Dew Fairy.
When the mist clears they see a marvellous house
made of gingerbread, decorated with frosting and
candy. Hansel soon realises that the house is edible,
and slowly approaches. Hungry, the children can’t
resist the temptation and begin to nibble on the house.
The Witch comes out of her house and traps the poor
children with a spell.
She tries to lure Gretel into the oven but Gretel tricks
her, pushing the evil Witch into the flaming oven
instead.
The Witch’s gingerbread victims turn back into
children and Hansel and Gretel are reunited with their
parents. Together they all celebrate the demise of the
Witch.
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