Pavilion supports Deaf Awareness Week 2025

The Pavilion Theatre will offer captioned performances of this year’s pantomime, marking Deaf Awareness Week with a new step towards greater accessibility.

Cinderella's Ugly Sisters at the Gorleston Pavilion Theatre

The move is part of a growing partnership with national charity Stagetext, which provides captioning services in arts venues across the UK. One in three adults are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing - around 18 million people - and many rely on captions to enjoy live performance.

"We’re starting with panto because it’s the biggest, most joyful show of the year,” a theatre spokesperson said. “It’s a meaningful step and one we’re proud to take."

Captioning technology is expensive, and the theatre is inviting donations to help expand access across more of its programme.

Captioned performance dates will be announced later this year. Donations towards the project can be made at pavtheatre.com/donate.