Each season, Royal MTC offers performances with reduced barriers. This season you can attend a performance with open captions, ASL interpretation or live audio description, or enjoy a relaxed performance environment. You can also access an audio introduction to shows that we believe are low vision friendly. Download a list of our 24/25 accessible performances here, or read details below.
These shows do not have traditional description provided, but are about 90% understandable by dialogue alone. An audio pre-show introduction (which may include spoilers) can be listened to on our website here and via QR code at the venue. The introduction to LVF shows will be available starting in the second week of performances, by the Tuesday after opening., which means that no matter which performance you attend after that point, you can access this accessibility feature. 24/25 Low Vision Friendly performances are: A Number at the Tom Hendry Warehouse (tracks available Nov 18-29) Rubaboo: A Métis Cabaret at the John Hirsch Mainstage (tracks available May 5-23)
You'll be provided with a receiver and earpiece to hear about the visual elements of the production including a brief introduction and description of details through the show. These are voiced live, in real time, by a trained describer. You can bring your own earbuds or portable headphones if you prefer! Audio Description provided by VIEW. You can book tickets for described performances at the links below or by phoning 204 942 6537 and mentioning you are interested in Audio Description. 24/25 Audio Described Performances are: Life of Pi on Tuesday October 28 at 7:30pm, John Hirsch Mainstage – buy tickets to Life of Pi with AD here! Amid political unrest in 1970s India, Pi’s family decides to move their zoo to Canada. In the chaos of a storm, the ship goes down, and Pi’s family and animals are lost. The teenager survives 227 days on a lifeboat in uneasy companionship with a Royal Bengal tiger. As Pi drifts aimlessly in the vast ocean, he struggles to keep his wits while avoiding being the tiger’s next meal. Based on the international best-selling novel, Life of Pi roars to breathtaking life with riveting storytelling and unique puppetry. This astonishing tale has themes of the essence of truth, faith, and survival, showcased through the power of live theatre. Murder on the Orient Express on Tuesday January 27 at 7:30pm, John Hirsch Mainstage – buy tickets to Murder on the Orient Express with AD here! A lighthearted adaptation of the novel by Agatha Christie, known as the Queen of Crime! In the 1930s, Hercule Poirot is on a train journey when an unlikeable wealthy American is murdered. The debonair detective investigates a cast of intriguing international passengers. With his unparalleled eye for detail and keen instincts, Poirot uncovers secrets and motives as he seeks the truth behind the murder in this suspenseful tale of deception, revenge and justice. Holland on Tuesday February 17 at 7:30pm, Tom Hendry Warehouse – buy tickets to Holland with AD here! Carrie and Paul are good people with solid friends and great kids. Another constant in their life is Alice, an antagonistic social worker who holds all the cards when it comes to their disabled son. She is drowning the couple in paperwork, denying basic services and bewildering them with impossible deadlines. Carrie takes matters into her own hands in the most outrageous way possible and goes from doing everything for her family to risking it all in this hilarious madcap adventure that looks unflinchingly at disability advocacy. In the Shadow Beyond the Pines on Tuesday March 24 at 7:30pm, Tom Hendry Warehouse – buy tickets to In the Shadow... with AD here! Set in modern times but steeped in a dark and haunting past, this atmospheric, supernatural horror story explores the shadows of Indigenous life and lore with a hint of humour. In the wilderness of northern Manitoba, three young men wrestle with the loss of their friend by reclaiming the practice of a sacred fire. But when they realize they’ve forgotten the flashlight and their phones have died, will legend and memory keep them safe through the night, or call in a dangerous presence? This world premiere will draw you in – with no promises of letting you go.
There is limited seating available in the sections with best view of the interpreter. If no one has requested tickets in this section 48 hours before the performance, the interpretation is cancelled, so please book in advance! Use the link next to the show you want to come to to make your booking, or contact the box office. Interpretation by ECCOE. 24/25 ASL-Interpreted Performances: Elf - The Musical on Thursday December 18 at 7:30pm, John Hirsch Mainstage – buy tickets to Elf with ASL here! Adapted from the hit Christmas movie! Buddy the elf is happy, big-hearted and larger than life. Buddy is also larger than the other elves, which makes sense when it’s revealed he’s actually human. Buddy sets off to New York in search of the World’s Greatest Dad, but soon finds out his human father isn’t the world’s greatest anything. Undaunted by a series of misadventures, Buddy sings his way into the lives and hearts of his new family and friends in this sweet holiday musical. Holland on Thursday February 19 at 7:30pm, Tom Hendry Warehouse – buy tickets to Holland with ASL here! Carrie and Paul are good people with solid friends and great kids. Another constant in their life is Alice, an antagonistic social worker who holds all the cards when it comes to their disabled son. She is drowning the couple in paperwork, denying basic services and bewildering them with impossible deadlines. Carrie takes matters into her own hands in the most outrageous way possible and goes from doing everything for her family to risking it all in this hilarious madcap adventure that looks unflinchingly at disability advocacy. Rubaboo: A Métis Cabaret on Sunday May 10 at 2:00pm, John Hirsch Mainstage – buy tickets to Rubaboo with ASL here! Singer-songwriter Andrea Menard showcases the beauty of her Métis culture through music, dance and storytelling. Derived from the Michif word for “leftovers stew” or “big pot,” Rubaboo invites us to reflect on the ongoing journey of cultural preservation and pride. This grand musical feast is warm, energetic, and welcoming! It includes songs of reconciliation, unity, love and resilience.
Relaxed Performances are designed to welcome audience members who would benefit from a less restricted audience environment, including (but not limited to) families with small children, those with: cognitive disabilities, physical needs entailing getting up out of your seat more often, sensory processing conditions or autism, and first-time theatregoers. The theatre will not go completely dark, there is a relaxed attitude towards audience noise and movement, and there may be minor production changes to reduce startling effects. We invite all patrons to come, be themselves and experience live theatre!
Download our Visual Guide to MTC and Visual Guide for Little Women 24/25 Relaxed Performances Elf - The Musical on Sunday December 7 at 2:00pm, John Hirsch Mainstage – buy tickets to the relaxed performance of Elf here! Adapted from the hit Christmas movie! Buddy the elf is happy, big-hearted and larger than life. Buddy is also larger than the other elves, which makes sense when it’s revealed he’s actually human. Buddy sets off to New York in search of the World’s Greatest Dad, but soon finds out his human father isn’t the world’s greatest anything. Undaunted by a series of misadventures, Buddy sings his way into the lives and hearts of his new family and friends in this sweet holiday musical. Holland on Friday February 13 at 7:30pm, Tom Hendry Warehouse – buy tickets to the relaxed performance of Holland here! Carrie and Paul are good people with solid friends and great kids. Another constant in their life is Alice, an antagonistic social worker who holds all the cards when it comes to their disabled son. She is drowning the couple in paperwork, denying basic services and bewildering them with impossible deadlines. Carrie takes matters into her own hands in the most outrageous way possible and goes from doing everything for her family to risking it all in this hilarious madcap adventure that looks unflinchingly at disability advocacy. Rubaboo: A Métis Cabaret on Friday May 15 at 7:30pm, John Hirsch Mainstage – buy tickets to the relaxed performance of Rubaboo here! Singer-songwriter Andrea Menard showcases the beauty of her Métis culture through music, dance and storytelling. Derived from the Michif word for “leftovers stew” or “big pot,” Rubaboo invites us to reflect on the ongoing journey of cultural preservation and pride. This grand musical feast is warm, energetic, and welcoming! It includes songs of reconciliation, unity, love and resilience.
Stay tuned for upcoming dates! Live captions of dialogue and sounds are displayed on a screen at the same time as the action onstage. No special equipment is required for users; they are “open” to anyone! While the captions will be visible from many seats, certain areas will have the best sightlines. Captioning provided by Turner Captioning Services.