Auracast™ LOCATION PROFILE
Everyman Theatre
About this location
Key Stats
Location: Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Venue type: Theatre
Seating capacity: 778
Equipment installed: Auri system
Installation type: DIY installation
The Everyman Theatre, situated in the heart of Gloucestershire, stands as the county’s premier professional theatre. With an annual footfall exceeding 220,000 visitors, the venue offers an eclectic range of live performances — from captivating dramas and musicals to engaging children’s productions, opera, and a much-loved Christmas pantomime. The venue also includes a studio space, which supports local theatre companies, student productions, and community-based groups. As a registered charity, the Everyman Theatre is committed to making the arts accessible to all, especially those living with physical health challenges.
The problem statement
Until recently, the Everyman Theatre relied on a 20-year-old Infrared Sennheiser assistive listening system. This outdated technology limited accessibility, requiring audience members to sit in specific areas to receive a consistent signal. Sound quality had deteriorated significantly, and, with replacement headsets no longer available, the theatre sometimes had to turn away patrons who depended on assistive listening. These limitations directly conflicted with the Everyman Theatre’s mission to ensure inclusive access to the performing arts, prompting a search for a robust, future-proof solution.
The Auracast™ solution
Deployment
After extensive research and consultation with experts — including Push the Button, the Gloucestershire Deaf Association, and Insight Gloucestershire — the team selected the Auracast™ broadcast audio system, specifically the Auri TX2N model from Ampetronic. The new solution supports Bluetooth® connectivity, provides live audio descriptions for visually impaired patrons, and eliminates the seating limitations of the previous system. The installation was straightforward, and Ampetronic provided exceptional support, including attending an open-access morning to help educate patrons about the system’s capabilities.
Benefits
Since deployment, the theatre has seen a significant improvement in audio clarity and reliability. “We regularly hear from patrons who tell us these services are life changing,” said Francesca Goddard, corporate partnership manager at the Everyman Theatre. “At a recent event, a guest shared that it was their first time back at the theatre since losing their sight, describing the experience as completely transformative for their wellbeing and social engagement.”
Visitors can now enjoy enhanced sound from any seat in the auditorium and, in many cases, connect directly using their own devices. The system’s intuitive user interface has simplified staff training and guest support. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with one audience member sharing, “The sound really is crisp and clear…I was in tears simply because of how marvelous the experience is.”
A look ahead
The Everyman Theatre views the Auracast™ deployment as a transformative step toward full accessibility, and they have already registered their new publicly available Auracast™ service at bluetooth.com.
As more consumer devices become Auracast™ enabled, the system’s reach will only expand. With its daily use already enhancing the experience for countless patrons, the theatre believes this investment in an inclusive technology will yield long-term dividends, continuing to break down barriers and ensuring that the magic of live theatre is accessible to all.
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