AS the opening night of The Wizard of Oz fast approaches in York, the excitement is almost too much for one Pick Me Up Theatre cast member.
Alice Tones is finding that multi-tasking is not quite as easy as she thought, putting her at risk of turning up for one of her three jobs at the Grand Opera House in the wrong costume.
Alice is now working part-time in the marketing department and when she is not there, she can be found in the box office or serving behind the bar. As If that were not enough, she is also in the cast of The Wizard Of Oz, whose run at the Cumberland Street theatre begins next Friday.
Another day, another, job, another costume: Alice Tones outside the Grand Opera House box office. Pcture: David Harrison Photography
What's more, Alice will be multi-tasking in the show too, playing the Mayor of Munchkin City, a tree, a poppy, a Winkie and an Ozian.
On April 28, at the 2.30pm matinee, Robert Readman's production will be the first by a York stage company to provide an Audio Described performance.
"The Grand Opera House is proud to support patrons in ensuring that, wherever possible, it will provide equal opportunities, making the venue accessible for all," says staff member Megan Conway, the theatre's Access Champion.
Alice Tones, in a costume for The Wizard Of Oz, at work in the Grand Opera House marketing department. Picture: David Harrison Photography
Audio Description is a live verbal commentary given through infra-red headsets to assist visually-impaired patrons. A trained Audio Describer will conduct the description from a box at the back of the auditorium with a view of the stage.
"There will also be a touch tour, run an hour before the April 28 performance," says Megan, who can be contacted at meganconway@theambassadors.com for more information on access performances.
The Wizard Of Oz runs from April 27 to May 5; box office, 0844 871 3024 or atgtickets.com/york.
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