Signed performances for Christmas panto

Lincoln Theatre Royal will hold two signed performances of their Christmas panto this year, in a city first.

The performances of Aladdin will be signed by British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter Julie Gennery on December 19 at 5pm and on January 9 at 2pm.

The events were organised when theatre fan Tuula Scott Smith requested that some should be done for those with hearing impairments.

The Theatre Royal’s Director Ian Dickens obliged when he discovered Scott Smith’s husband is deaf.

He said: “Tuula wanted her whole family to go to the pantomime and enjoy it together, so she put us in touch with Julie, who is an experienced BSL interpreter.

“We’ve embraced this new addition to our pantomime season whole heartedly.

“I hope that the signed performances will mean that even more people can come along and enjoy what promises to be a fantastic and hilarious show.”

Lincolnite Gennery has been signing for over 18 years and qualified as a BSL interpreter at the University of Central Lancashire in 2007

She said: “I’m really excited about signing the pantomime this year.

“I’m about to start reading through the script and will go along to the dress rehearsals to get to know the show and the cast really well.”

Aladdin starts on December 15 and stars Cannon and Ball, Robin Asquith from Benidorm and Michelle Hardwick from The Royal.

Tickets start at £12.50 and can be booked from the Lincoln Theatre Royal Box Office.

Photo:  Mustafa Al-amma