Off-Broadway Access Review -
Richard II

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ID: image of the Richard II Playbill in front of the stage with the text "Access Review" on top

 

General Note

This is a review of the accessibility of the theater, of the lighting/sound/scent design of the show, and a list of content warnings as a way to prep folks with various needs before they go see it. 

This is not meant to scare anyone away from seeing the show. Most productions have about the same amount of content warnings and sensory warnings to go along with it, they’re just rarely explicitly written down. 

For some people, knowing these things ahead of time makes it easier to enjoy the show because they know what to expect. And, often, makes those people more likely to see it in the first place. I hope that it’s helpful!

I am also happy to clarify any specifics, just send me a message or an email and I will respond when I can.

Also please note that I make these while seeing a show for the first time, so I may miss some cues or be slightly off as to their placement/cue line!

Theater

Astor Place Theatre

All comments on the accessibility of lighting are in reference to seats in the far right of the fourth row

Bathrooms: 

  • there is a non-gendered single user accessible restroom in the lobby, opposite the bar, and then there are small gendered restrooms to the left once you enter through the theater doors

  • divided into the binary, however they have a sign that says “you are welcome to use the restroom that best aligns with your gender identity” 

Other theater accessibility:

  • the theater is located 8 steps down, though it can also be reached via their LiftKar stair crawler. Once in the theater you may transfer back into your chair (there is a lift up the 3 steps to the orchestra level) or use one of theirs

  • they offer assistive listening devices

Click here for more information on the accessibility of this theater.

Light/Sound/Scent

General:

  • I did not need earplugs for this show, though it can be a bit loud at moments 

  • the theater was notably cold pre-show & during intermission

  • there are a lot of guns in the show, they get waved around often, but there are only 2 actual shots 

  • there are lots of cues I’ve noted here, but nearly every cue of note lasts no longer than 10-15 seconds 

  • center stage is a box with slightly reflective sides that often catch the light and can cause a brief flash when rotating, & the center spot can be brightly reflected

  • the sensory accessibility of this show is similar to that of Queens, John Proctor…, Trophy Boys, and Call Me Izzy

Pre-Show: medium volume music with heavy bass

Act I:

  • top LED lights sort of angled at the audience for ~10 sec top of show; the house lights stay up until “I am kinged”

  • bang of thrown folder after “frozen ridges of the Alps”

  • some slow alternating orange lights when the cube turns around– overall not flashy, lasts a few minutes 

  • “farewell, my blood” - white camera flashes ~10-15 sec

  • “farewell, my lord” - another ~7-10 sec of flashes

  • guns appear– there are 8 clicks and 0 gunshots

  • moving orange returns for a few seconds after the mic is thrown

  • “I would not stay” - top lights move slowly in blue for 5-10 seconds with some haze

  • brief nudity for ~30 seconds, it’s the back of someone while they change into a towel

  • “be merry, for our time of stay is short” - slow wash over audience followed by some loud bass music for a minute or two 

  • “and myself will go” - bass and on/off pink & blue lights - initially flashy but then slow down - several minutes

  • multicolor flashing & loud music 3-5 sec after all exit and Richard stands up 

  • “things past redress are now with me past care” - white downlight strobes & thunder ~7-10 sec, followed by vertical moving projections like rain for ~30 sec (not too movement-heavy)

  • blood warning, then 2 gunshots, then downlight white strobe for ~5-7 sec

  • singular flicker when Richard brings out the light

Act II:

  • spritzing of a liquid during the beach chair scene - unclear what it is, but it seemed unscented

  • gun out once again, it is never shot

  • loud crack as Richard pulls down cloths

  • blood warning 

  • singular flash after “whilst my gross flesh sinks downward, here to die”

  • blue top LED light on/offs (not super flashy) return for bows 

Content Advisory

  • brief nudity

  • blood warning (2 moments) 

  • singular moment of drug use 

  • murder/death

  • guns & gunshots