Queens of Sheba - Relaxed Performance Sensory Guide

Relaxed Performance 16th February @ 2pm Linbury Theatre, LAMDA Running Time: 60 minutes Content warnings: Contains themes of an adult nature, racism, use of racial slurs, misogynoir, and some reduced level flickering/flashing lights..

RELAXED PERFORMANCES AT LAMDA • You are welcome to come and go from the theatre as you need.

• There is a break-out room available.

• House lighting is on low throughout, never going to full black-out.

• Loud noises are reduced in sound level.

• No strobe lighting Is used.

• You are welcome to react to the show however you may need.

• At the end of this document is a show synopsis/sensory guide.

Here is a guide to sensory information symbols in this document: Indicates potentially loud or sudden noises

Indicates bright or sudden lighting changes

Indicates a sad or potentially distressing scene

Indicates fighting, or use of guns/weapons

Arriving at LAMDA

When you arrive at LAMDA, the box office is to your right. You should pick up your ticket here, using your name.

You will be asked to show proof of double vaccination using the NHS App, or a negative lateral flow result taken in the last 24 hours.

Unless you are exempt, you will be asked to wear a mask at all times while in the building.

Toilets are located right next to box office.

Toile

LAMDA staff will be wearing LAMDA branded T-Shirts. If you need any assistance whilst in the building, please ask them.

This is the Theatre Foyer. You may be asked to wait here until the house is open.

You will be shown how to get to the Linbury Theatre by an Usher.

This performance will take place in the Linbury Theatre.

This is the entrance.

When you enter the theatre, an Usher will take your ticket from you. You are welcome to sit where you like.

This is what the stage will look like when you enter.

You can come and go from the space whenever you like.

The house lights will stay on low throughout the show.

There is a break-out space called ‘The Rittner Room’ which you are welcome to use at any point during the performance. It can be accessed via the stairs or lift in the main entrance foyer.

If you aren’t sure at any point during your visit where to go, please ask an usher.

Before the show begins, the actors will introduce themselves and the characters they are playing.

The lights in the theatre will dim and she show will start. You can come and go as you need through the doors you entered by.

At the end of the show the actors will come on and bow. You are welcome to clap at this point if you would like.

. Queens of Sheba Company Headshots

Josie Capone plays Jacoba

Angela Jones plays Veronica

Dom Hamilton plays Koko

Arsema Thomas plays Rachel

SHOW SYNOPSIS / WHAT TO EXPECT

The show is a sitcom which explores the daily experiences of black women and the misogynoir they face throughout the show. The show explores the racism and sexism in the workplace, on a date, in a club and the microaggressions they deal with by White people. The play starts with four women warming up for the sitcom individually, the story follows the exaggeration and stereotypes of Black Women by society which becomes bigger and more absurd throughout the play.

However, cracks begin to show, the characters don’t want to do the show anymore. They are fed up with having to tell the same story or experience the same thing every day.

Eventually the sitcom stops, and the women have an honest conversation on what it means to be a Black Woman and share their own truths. The play ends with the four women uniting however, the cycle starts again, and they have to do the show again but this time they have each other.

At a couple of moments in the play, the performers ask for ‘a minute’ and break character from the sitcom. This is part of the performance.

Throughout the play racial discrimination and misogyny is discussed in detail.

Sensory Guide

The performers walk on stage. They prepare by ‘warming up’. They turn the main lights out to start the sitcom performance, and play the characters Rachel, Veronica, Jacoba and Koko.

Throughout the show there are sound effects of a live studio audience reactions, including laugher and gasping.

Rachel, Veronica, Jacoba and Koko describe microagressions, racism and misogyny they face in the workplace.

They are at a Karaoke night, music plays.

They perform ‘Proud Mary’ to a musical backing track.

Rachel, Veronica, Jacoba and Koko describe their experiences of interracial dating and the

microaggressions they face dating white people. Music plays. Racial slurs are used, and they discuss racism and misogyny.

Rachel, Veronica, Jacoba and Koko describe famous songs by Black women. As they quote the words, the lights flash bright behind them and music plays.

Rachel, Veronica, Jacoba and Koko get ready for a night out. Loud music plays.

Rachel, Veronica, Jacoba and Koko are queuing to get into a club. They imitate unwanted advances from men, and their strong reactions to these. They shout over loud laughter reactions.

Music plays. Rachel, Veronica, Jacoba and Koko are on top of the gold steps, imitating the bouncers of a club, who racially discriminate against them.

Koko steps off the stage and turns on the main theatre lights.

Rachel, Veronica, Jacoba and Koko talk about their experiences of growing up as Black Women.

Rachel, Veronica, Jacoba and Koko leave the stage and turn out the main house lights on their way out.

THE END.