Theatre Experiences for Everyone

The Association for the Disabled in Turku Region granted the Kryka Award to Turku City Theatre this spring. The Award is presented yearly either to a person or to a community that has for the past year paid special attention to the disabled in their actions. The actions of the theatre have pleased the visually impaired, cancer patients as well as allergic persons.

"Let's make theatre for everyone" is an idea that appeases both the makers and the clients.

The Play of an Island Gave a Face to Diversity
For the disabled, the highlight of the year in the City Theatre was the play called Saari (an Island) in which all the actors and actresses were disabled or chronically ill. The play was so popular that extra performances were organised. Saari brought out the disabled and chronically ill members of our society, those who are not seen sufficiently in public given their vast number among us.

The play takes place on an island in the summer. Its tranquillity is disturbed by the disabled. There were amusing but also sentimental and touching scenes between the disabled and the healthy. Although all the participants had some kind of a disability or disease, the play was not about lamentation or melancholy. Disablement was dealt with in a refreshingly humorous manner.

Unscented Shows for Allergic Persons, Previews for Cancer Patients
The Turku City Theatre co-operated with the Allergy and Asthma Federation in organising unscented shows for allergic persons. All kinds of perfumes and smoke or other such special effects are forbidden. The previews of the popular Festus and Mercury plays that have been a part of the repertoire for ten years already are often played to children with cancer. For the next Christmas a new show for cancerous children ("Festus and Mercury and the Santa Machine") is planned. It is nice to see the joy and gladness on children's faces who are watching the play.

Also the Visually Impaired Enjoy Theatre
If agreed beforehand, the visually impaired have an opportunity to enter the theatre before others. They can go up the stage and familiarise themselves with the actors and actresses who talk about their roles and costumes. The visually impaired are also allowed to touch the costumes and, naturally, discuss with the actors and actresses. The City Theatre of Turku received a prize from the Finnish Federation of the Visually Impaired.

The intention of the Turku City Theatre is to offer experience for everyone. The unprejudiced actions of the Theatre are continued and developed. Welcome to everyone's theatre!