Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre

News & Stories 8 May 2026

News Story

On Saturday 25 April we partnered with Sadler’s Wells Theatre, English National Ballet, New Adventures, Northern Ballet and Scottish Ballet for our first joint Ballet Listening Event. 

Having the opportunity to directly engage with local audiences that experience partial or total sight loss, along with those working in this sector, was incredibly valuable for all of the access and marketing teams involved. 

Guests also had the opportunity to join us for our Don Quixote audio-described performance and Touch Tour at Sadler's Wells Theatre. Everyone had a fantastic time.

We’re looking forward to taking the learnings from the roundtable discussions and survey feedback so that we can make our accessible performances even better.

We’re grateful to all of our BRB colleagues, the various teams from Sadler’s Wells, and all those involved from the other dance companies who partnered with us to deliver the event.

Find out more about BRB's accessible performances here.

Image gallery

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Two older women are looking at a red costume which is being held up by a staff member from Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
A visually impaired young woman is sitting down and holding a ballet shoe in her hands. A dancer from Birmingham Royal Ballet is standing up slightly bending over explaining about the shoe.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
Visually impaired individuals are seated and one young woman is touching a white tutu held by a member of staff from Birmingham Royal Ballet. Next to them is the audio describer showing another costume to a small group of visually impaired guests.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
Staff from Birmingham Royal Ballet are showing costumes and props to visually impaired guests.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
A staff member from Birmingham Royal Ballet are showing costumes to visually impaired guests.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
A staff member from Birmingham Royal Ballet is showing a dark dress with some gold decoration on the front to a visually impaired guest who's holding out the skirt.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
Vegetables in boxes from the market scene of Don Quixote are laid out on one side of the stage. Some Touch Tour attendees have their hands resting on some of them.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
A staff member from Birmingham Royal Ballet is showing a dark dress with some gold decoration on the front to visually impaired guests.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
Visually impaired guests are touching hanging white floral garlands as part of the set for Don Quixote on stage. Members from the Sadler's Wells team are next to them also looking at the set.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
In the foreground is a wooden horse. A man in a blue jacket and wearing tinted glasses can be seen laying his hand on it. There are others in the background.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
Vegetables in boxes from the market scene of Don Quixote are laid out on one side of the stage. Guests are chatting facing each other. One of them is holding one of the props.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
A member of Scottish Ballet team is shown addressing a group of people. Both of his hands are held out at forty five degree angles as he explains something.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
A golden labrador guide dog on a lead rests his nose on a pile of fish which are props. Legs of the bystanders are partially visible at the top of the image.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
A small group of people can be seen with their heads titled upwards and are touching the hanging white floral garlands as part of the set for Don Quixote on stage. The man in the centre has his mouth open in wonder.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
The audio describer a woman in a black t-shirt and trousers has her hands raised diagonally. She is addressing a group of guests on stage. The white garlands and floral arches part of the set are in the background.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
The audio describer a woman with dark hair and glasses is touching a wooden woodmill and describing it to a small group of visually impaired individuals.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
A seated group discussion is taking place. Most of the group have their backs to the camera or are looking towards the speaker who is a white man wearing glasses and a floral shirt.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
A group of people are looking at various props on stage.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
An older woman is holding a vase. A member of staff from Birmingham Royal Ballet is next to her and smiling.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
A woman with long black hair and wearing a white t-shirt and jeans is showing a book to guests. She is smiling.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab
A lady wearing a bright red jacket and dark trousers is on the left of the image addressing a small group standing in a well-lit lobby.

Ballet Listening Event at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London.

© 2026 Credit : Sylvie Belbouab

Discover our Audio Described and Relaxed performances

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