DISNEY’S THE LION KING TO PRESENT SECOND DEDICATED AUTISM-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE

Sunday 4 May 2014 at 1.30pm at London’s Lyceum Theatre
Following the success of THE LION KING’s first dedicated Autism-Friendly Performance last year, Disney’s THE LION KING is set to present a second Autism-Friendly Performance on Sunday 4 May 2014 at 1:30pm. Tickets are now on sale.

THE LION KING staged the West End’s first-ever dedicated Autism-Friendly Performance in April 2013. Working closely with The National Autistic Society, the UK’s leading charity for people with autism and their families, and following a highly successful programme at THE LION KING in New York, The Walt Disney Company adapted the performance to make it more suitable to those affected by autism.

Autism is a serious, lifelong and disabling condition, affecting children and adults. As a ‘spectrum’ condition it affects each person in a different way, but people with autism tend to experience common social difficulties understanding and relating to other people, and the world around them. Sudden changes in routine or environment can be incredibly frightening and stressful. Sensory issues can also prove problematic: for example a person may dislike bright lights, or may have very sensitive hearing and find noise, including background noise intrusive, distracting or even painful.

Understandably, a visit to a musical on the scale of THE LION KING, in London’s busiest theatre, could prove an overwhelming experience for a significant number of people in the UK who have autism; over 500,000 are thought to have the condition.

This dedicated Autism-Friendly Performance will include modifications to the booking process, performance and the theatre environment, including:

• The theatre’s foyer will include designated quiet and activity areas; staffed by experts in autism throughout the performance should anyone need to leave their seats  
• Slight adjustments are made to the performance itself, including the reduction of jarring sounds or strobe lighting that face the audiences 
• The cast of The Lion King along with Lyceum Theatre box office and front of house staff will be given training to understand the needs of an audience of families and friends with children and adults who have an autism spectrum disorder
• An autism-friendly website and booking system has been set up specifically for this performance

“Our experiences of presenting Autism Friendly Performances on Broadway have been extremely moving; not only for the audiences but for our casts and companies as well,” said Thomas Schumacher, Producer and President Disney Theatrical Productions. “We are so proud to now be presenting the second of our dedicated Autism Friendly Performances in the West End, enabling new audiences to enjoy the thrill of musical theatre. We thank our creative staff whose hard work and dedication helps make it all possible.”

Mark Lever, Chief Executive of The National Autistic Society, said:
“For people of any age with autism, getting out and about can be difficult. Day-to-day activities such as shopping or using public transport can cause immense confusion and anxiety. Under usual circumstances, a trip to the theatre would simply be impossible for some families. But training staff and making adjustments to the performance and theatre environment can make a huge difference. Following the success of last year’s performance, we’re delighted to continue our work with Disney so that more people affected by autism can access the entertainment opportunities that many of us take for granted.”

In November 2013, the sold-out UK tour of THE LION KING presented a dedicated Autism-Friendly Performance at the 3000 seat Edinburgh Playhouse, making it the largest dedicated Autism-Friendly performance ever to take place in Scotland. An Autism-Friendly performance of the Australian production of THE LION KING will take place in Sydney in June 2014.

Friends and families can find out more information and buy tickets at www.lionkingautismfriendly.co.uk.  Tickets are sold at a specially discounted rate and can be selected on a virtual map of the auditorium. A social story is available to download from the website to help people with autism understand the process of a visit to the theatre, thus aiding their comprehension of the experience and reducing anxiety by explaining each step from arriving in the foyer to the final curtain call.

VEGAN FESTIVAL PIONEER AWARDED PRESTIGIOUS GREEN AWARD

Bristol-based organiser Tim Barford was recognised for his outstanding community work during the glittering PEA Business Awards ceremony in central London last night.

As founder and organiser of the wildly successful VegfestUK events, Tim Barford was recognised above his fellow nominees and awarded the Working in the Community honour. Sponsored by The Earth Foundation, this award recognises an individual or a team for outstanding community work within an environmentally conscious activity.

An elated Tim said of the award:

“VegfestUK was awarded first place in the Working in the Community category and I am thrilled to accept it as I lead our festival though its tenth year. Our shows have all been 100% vegan, showcasing the best of a plant-based lifestyle to an ever-curious public over the last decade.

I would like to send heartfelt thanks to our supporters, especially all the people who have believed in the validity of the vegan lifestyle as a genuine green option. I would like to dedicate the award to the memory of our vegan forerunners such as Donald Watson and Arthur Ling. I’m certain they would be delighted to know a vegan festival has won a major award in 2013!”

Tim continued:
“I would also like to express my gratitude to all those tireless campaigners working hard to spread the vegan message. I hope this award is inspirational to you in your efforts. Please keep up the amazing work you do for the people, the animals and the planet.”

The People and Environment Achievement Business Awards (PEABs) celebrate the many ways in which green initiatives can be good for business, as well as the planet. The awards showcase the excellence and innovation demonstrated by an individual or team within an organisation making genuine and effective contributions to the "greening" of UK businesses.

Additional information

VegfestUK continues its tenth birthday celebrations by staging a mammoth music, food and entertainment event in Bristol on May 24^th, 25^th and 26^th, 2013. Full details including musical guests, opening times, admission costs and the festival programme can be found here: http://bristol.vegfest.co.uk/

VegfestUK takes over London Olympia on October 5^th and 6^th, 2013. This huge two-day event will feature world-famous comedians, cooking demonstrations, 150 green businesses and the best vegan food caterers in the UK. Full details available here: http://london.vegfest.co.uk/

Green Babies Event - 27th September - Dana Centre, London

Your baby may have tiny feet but it leaves a large carbon foot print and can have a considerable environmental impact.

What can we do to make that footprint smaller? Are ‘green’ products really all that eco friendly? Is organic food really worth the price tag? 

Green Babies have brought together environmental experts with wide range of knowledge for you to talk to about the complex issues around green parenting.

Join them with your tiny tots, and they will provide distracting activities so you can enjoy an in depth discussion with their eco experts.

How easy is it for the average mum to be a green parent? Can you care about your baby and the environment in a way that’s easy and inexpensive?

The Science Museum is tackling these issues head on as part of its Climate Changing programme, with a Green Babies’ event on 27 September.

·         A look at celebrity green parents:

• This January 2012, Jessica Alba launched her new e-commerce, eco-friendly and non-toxic baby product company Honest.com in January 2012 and has released ‘The Honest life’ guide to Green Parenting

• Halle Berry reportedly spent nearly $60,000 to create a sustainable nursery, which features everything from organic bed sheets to cotton-stuffed toys that are completely chemical- and pesticide-free.

• Maggie Gyllenhaal, Matthew McConaughey chose cloth nappies

• Daryl Hannah says: “Turn off the TV, go for a hike, move to a smaller house, get solar power, don't poison your kids, pets and yourself by using toxic cleaning products -- choose biodegradable, non-toxic ones, plant an organic garden and shop at your local farmers' market -- it's fun for the whole family."

a kidspace - June workshops!

 a kidspace is a group support programme that allows children whose parents are separating to safely express their feelings through a range of creative and therapeutic activities. Children leave our groups better equipped to deal with and understand their emotions as well as have enhanced resources to communicate their needs and adjust to their new situation.

The group process allows children to relate to others going through similar experiences and therefore not feel so alone through what can be a traumatic and life changing event.

We currently have some sponsored places on our next workshop, which will be taking place in Covent Garden on the 16th and 23rd June, 9.30-12.30 ages 7-13.

Please contact

emma@akidspace.co.uk

Or more information please visit;

www.akidspace.co.uk