December 20 The performance "Didysis kelias", which will take place in the Lithuanian National Drama Theater (LNDT), will be shown with sound representation. This means that the play is adapted for the blind or visually impaired. 10 years ago, it was at LNDT that the first performance with sound representation was shown. December 20 Almost 130 visually impaired persons from Vilnius, Kaišiadorių, Širvintų, Panevėžys, Molėtai, Kaunas, Lazdija will visit the "Big Road" performance. This screening is organized by the Lithuanian Blind and Visually Impaired Union (LASS).
LASS project manager Lina Puodžiūnė says that of all cultural services, the most accessible things for the blind are literature (books in braille) and music (various concerts, recordings). However, according to her, adaptability is increasing in other areas as well: "The situation is really changing. For example, the Lithuanian Film Center adapts films from its archives every year, which it donates to the Lithuanian Library for the Blind and the visually impaired can watch them. LRT also has films with sound representation, two film festivals "Nepatogus cinema"And"Cinema spring” also adapts after the film. Museum exhibits are gradually becoming more accessible. It takes into account that not everything has to be under glass."
As for the theater, according to L. Puodžiūnė, we can be happy that this year will be the 18th play with sound representation, counting from 2012, when the play "Uncle Vania" was adapted for the first time at the Lithuanian National Drama Theater.
"Previously, performances adapted for the blind were shown only in the Lithuanian National Drama Theater. We really wanted the residents of other cities to experience this as well, because there are about 15 visually impaired people in Lithuania. We thought about how to reach them, so we went around all the state theaters. Now, the National Kaunas Drama Theater has the largest number of performances with sound representation. Klaipėda Drama Theater also contributes very willingly. Šiauliai and Panevėžys have just shown one performance each, but it's still a joy," says L. Puodžiūnė
In the Lithuanian National Drama Theater, the following performances were adapted for the blind: "Uncle Vania", "Katedra", "Lilijomas", "Divine Comedy". "The Great Road" created by Jonas Vaitkaus based on August Strindberg's drama is already the fifth performance.
"The blind are really looking forward to these performances. If such a performance is shown once a year, it is a huge celebration. If every theater committed to showing at least one performance a year, it would be five performances in all the main theaters and there would be five celebrations for our community", says L. Puodžiūnė.
How does sound imaging work? A group of blind and partially sighted people come to the theater well in advance - almost two hours in advance - they are given technical equipment: headphones and receivers. Having come to the hall, the group listens to the introduction - they are presented with scenography, props, and costumes. The actors themselves also introduce themselves, so they get to know the voices of the characters and later better orientate which character speaks when. In some theaters, it is allowed to climb the stage and touch elements of the scenography. When the performance begins, blind people sit together, usually at the front of the hall, and listen to the voices of the actors with one ear, and with the other ear, wearing a headset, hear the commentator of the play, who talks about the visuals and the action. Actress Ugnė Žirgulė will comment on "The Great Road" for the blind.
Lina Puodžiūnė, project manager of the Lithuanian Union of the Blind and Visually Impaired, said that not all performances require audio representation: "If the play has a lot of dialogues, it doesn't even need audio representation, it is completely understandable to a person with a visual disability. The "Great Road" was chosen because it is very visual and difficult for the blind to understand without an audio representation. Theaters must pay attention to this when choosing performances. If it is difficult to understand what is happening on stage when you close your eyes, if there are many visual solutions, subtexts, metaphors, a lot of body language - such a performance needs sound representation.
In addition, I want to point out that audio imaging is very important for the visually impaired, not only for the blind. Such a person sees the big picture, and sound imaging works like binoculars, directing the gaze to the essential place to pay attention to. Then he fully sees that performance."
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