Speels Collectief - Content Warning: weinig prikkels

A sensory-friendly theatre performance full of gentleness and relatability

In a society where everything has to move ever faster, it isn’t always easy to find peace. Director Sanne Arbouw, who has personal experience of sensory sensitivity, anxiety and panic attacks, explores – together with a diverse group of performers – how people cope with the constant stream of stimuli. What if the world were more considerate of people who are sensitive to noise, light and crowds?

CONTENT WARNING: ‘Little Stimuli’ takes the audience into a gentle, imaginative world where everyone is free to be themselves. Think of cosy blankets, eye masks, earplugs and perhaps even a low-stimulus rave. The performance shows that sensitivity to stimuli is different for everyone and that the need for tranquillity and stimulation can sometimes coexist.

Through personal experiences, movement and surprising theatrical forms, Speels Collectief raises important questions about accessibility and inclusion. How can public spaces be made more pleasant for people who are easily overwhelmed? And why are we so often expected to function in the same way?

Accessible theatre at the No Limits Festival

The performance is part of the No Limits Festival at Theater aan het Spui in The Hague, where theatre makers with and without disabilities come together. CONTENT WARNING: ‘Weinig prikkels’ has been specially designed to offer a low-stimulus theatre experience.

Various facilities are available, including a quiet room, earplugs, blankets, eye masks and headphones. In addition, there is audio description provided by a blind interpreter, a Dutch Sign Language interpreter and English surtitles. A special sensory guide allows visitors to prepare in advance for moments with increased light or sound.