MSP In Autism-Friendly Pantos Call

Pantomime directors should remove pyrotechnics, strobe lighting and loud noises from some performances to make them suitable for autistic people, an MSP has advised. Mark McDonald has called on all panto organisers to put on autism-friendly performances'' following successful shows in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh." Aberdeen Performing Arts is staging a subdued version of Beauty And The Beast and laying on support for spectators who become anxious, following a successful autism-friendly performance of Cinderella last year. Mr McDonald, who is an active campaigner on autism issues, said:It is great that Aberdeen Performing Arts are putting on an autism-friendly performance at His Majesty's Theatre again this year. The fact that similarly accommodating performances in Edinburgh and Glasgow have taken place too shows the progress being made by theatre in becoming more accommodating for people with autism."I am now calling on all panto organisers across Scotland to look at what we've achieved in Aberdeen to think about how they can adapt their pantomimes to allow people with autism to enjoy their show as well." The fact an estimated 50,000 people in Scotland have autism highlights why we need more autism-friendly shows to allow all families across Scotland to be able to celebrate the festive season by attending a pantomime."All it takes are small but important adjustments to make the joy of theatre as inclusive as possible and I hope to see many more organisers follow in Aberdeen's lead.''